USAID Reading Together project in partnership with the National Testing Center at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic held a round table to discuss the results of the early grade reading assessment (EGRA), conducted in 130 schools of the Kyrgyz Republic. EGRA, held in April 2014, is a practical tool for policy makers, school leaders, parents and teachers in making decisions aimed at improving reading skills of school children. The representatives of the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Kyrgyz Academy of Education, oblast education institutes and methodological centers, district and city education departments, and international organizations developed recommendations for the use of the assessment data. The round table took place in Bishkek at Park Hotel, 87, Orozbekov st.
USAID Reading Together project began in June 2013, and will continue through 2017. The project supports the Kyrgyz Ministry of Education and Science to increase the reading skills and comprehension of primary school students. This is achieved by working with in-service teacher training institutes, schools and communities, as well as the private sector. To date, the project has launched in-service training in over 600 primary schools reaching over 3,000 teachers. The Early Grade Reading Assessment will serve as a baseline for the project and will be repeated at regular intervals to track progress. The assessment tool was developed and implemented in partnership with the National Testing Center and the Ministry of Education.
“Reading in primary school, is the basis for successful learning. The improvement of reading skills in early grades, particularly in the Central Asian region, is the strategic direction of the activities of the US Agency for International Development (USAID)” – Michael Greene, Director of USAID Mission in the Kyrgyz Republic.
USAID partners for quality education with the people and the government of the Kyrgyz Republic so every child can have a brighter future. The Quality Reading Project is one of many projects supported by the American people as a Program of assistance through the Agency for International Development (USAID). For more information about USAID programs in the Kyrgyz Republic, please visit: www.usaid.gov/kyrgyz-republic
