RDRS launches READ project on early grade learning

RANGPUR, Apr 8: Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) Bangladesh launched a four-year term Reading Enhancement for Advancing Development (READ) project in Rangpur Monday noon.

USAID has launched the project in the district with the technical cooperation by 'Save the Children International'.  The project will be implemented by Rangpur RDRS Bangladesh to promote early grade reading of the children in Rangpur and Kurigram districts. Farid Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur and Liana Gertsch, Chief of Party of READ project of Save the Children International jointly launched the project in a ceremony at the Deputy Commissioner's Office conference room on Monday noon.

Presided over by Nure Alam Md. Julfikar Ali Hanif among others Mohiuddin Ahmed Talukder, Deputy Director of Rangpur Divisional Primary Education Office addressed.

Farid Ahmed said READ is a 4-year project, supported by USAID to address gaps in early grade learning, especially literacy learning, which affect all aspects of a child's learning trajectory. He said by ensuring a strong foundation at the beginning of school, the expectation is that fewer children will repeat grades or drops out in the primary cycle and a higher proportion will complete school with solid primary school skills such as literacy, which are indispensable life skills in today's world.

Liana Gertsch said the goal of this programme is to improve children's reading skills within their first three years of primary schooling by improving instruction, increasing supplementary reading materials, facilitating community engagement in early grade reading, and equipping teachers with a standardised reading diagnostic tool. AKM Nurul Islam, project Coordinator of READ project of RDRS Bangladesh said they hoped that approximately 1,36,000 students, teachers, School Managing Committee (SMC) members, Assistant Upazila Education Officers (AUEO), Upazila Education Officers (UEO), are the direct and indirect beneficiaries of the district will be directly benefited through the project.