The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated reading disparities among learners across Kenya. In one of the longest closures globally, schools were closed from March 2020 to July 2021. USAID Tusome Early Grade Reading is piloting an after-school program in partnership with the Kenyan Government to provide extra lessons to struggling readers. Tusome translates to “Let’s Read” in Kiswahili.
At Kongelai Primary School in West Pokot County, learners trickle back to class for remedial lessons led by teacher Victorean. She is one of 500 teachers from 27 counties across Kenya trained to provide targeted remediation to learners. USAID provides participating schools with teaching and learning materials for English and Kiswahili remediation.
Every day, grade 2 and 3 learners at Kongelai participate in after-school lessons that incorporate fun games with structured reading activities. The lessons are divided into two sessions: 30 minutes for English and 30 minutes for Kiswahili reading instruction. Victorean groups learners by their skill level, rather than by their grade level to better meet the learners’ needs.
Victorean and the learners review the syllables displayed on a chart mounted on the classroom wall and she reads them out as the learners listen to the sounds. Then, they all read in unison. Afterwards, Victorean encourages the learners to identify and read the syllables that she points out. Once the instructional lesson is finished, the learners demonstrate their knowledge through a fun exercise.
When reading remediation began at Kongelai Primary School, Sara, a grade 2 student, could only identify alphabets and was placed in the beginners’ group with 28 learners. “She is a very fast learner,” said Victorean. “She is very eager to participate and answer questions. Her growing confidence is a joy to see and it personally motivates me to give my best during the lessons.”
Learning to read fluently in primary school is a critical foundational skill and one of the greatest predictors of academic success. “Sara’s reading needs have changed. She and 15 other learners in the remediation program have mastered some of the foundational skills they were missing. Now they have a better chance of keeping up with their peers during the normal classes,” said Victorean.
Sara is among 16 students from the beginners’ class who will be proceeding to the next skill level - reading simple sentences and stories. The remedial reading program continues to cultivate a reading culture among early grade students. In addition to piloting reading remediation in 27 counties, USAID Tusome Early Grade Reading program continues to improve and increase literacy outcomes for 7.8 million pupils in grades 1, 2, and 3 in all counties in Kenya.
Alex Kamweru / USAID