Success Stories
High Quality Literacy Materials - A Sense of Purpose
The integration of high quality literacy materials through the Read Malawi program into primary schools has provided learners with a sense of purpose that had been forgotten. Many learners are craving to read these high quality literacy books as they see the ability of others to read and write. Exposure to such high quality literacy materials should continue to be encouraged at both school and home so a culture of reading is sustained.
High Quality Books Improve Literacy in Learners
Over 70% of the learners in junior and infant classes face challenges in adapting both accelerated reading and numeracy skills. However, since the inception of the Read Malawi program the situation is beginning toimprove. The program has been credited with contributing to improved literacy skills. Many learners have made great strides and emote a sense of enjoyment from reading the books more than before.
Teaching How to Read: Now Easier and More Effective Than Before
One component of the Read Malawi program is the teacher training workshops designed to equip teachers with new teaching methodologies and thereafter train their colleagues. The teacher training provided through the Read Malawi program enables teachers to teach effectively using easy to follow teachers' guides as well as colloborate with each other unlike before. Among the learners, the books are helping to establish a reading culture through interest and cultural relevance.
Field Testing - Essential in Authorship of Learning Materials
The systematic authorship of reading materials produced for the Read Malawi program has won many plaudits. A part of this process, field testing, is conducted to ensure that reading materials are developed for the intended audience. Once books were tested with learners the authors gathered data and made the appropriate changes. Field testing has been described as the hallmark of this project because if the wrong materials were produced then all efforts would have been in vain.
Field Testing - Non-Optional For Quality Reading Material Production
Field testing is essential for the production of quality reading material. During the field testing of books learners are asked to read the drafted materials while teachers together with the authors observe and listen to the learners' reactions and suggestions. The input acquired through field testing has assisted in the creation of materials that entice learners to read. In addition, field testing provides teachers with the opportunity to participate in developing the teaching instruction materials.
In-Country Book Printing has Far-Reaching Benefits
In the past the production of consignments such as educational materials to out of country printers such as India and Malaysia resulted in the failure to meet deadlines and pretest the printed materials. This was a detriment to the local printing industry that could not re-invest in its capacity and contribute to the local economy. Under the Read Malawi program a local printer was contracted to produce, kit and pack, and deliver literacy materials to schools and government warehouses across the country. In rising and meeting this challenge, the local printer was able to create new jobs and invest in state-of-the-art printing materials in anticipation of future jobs.
Classmate Computers Excite Pupils
Making technologies such as computers available to learners is a life-changing dream for a nation whose budget struggles to source even basic exercise books for its children. The impact technology can have on learners is evident in two demonstrations schools that have been supplied laptop computers through the Read Malawi program. Classroom computers allow children the opportunity to write and store compositions, work on their spelling, and learn in groups and teach one another through collaboration. Computers are a must in today's classrooms if learners are to grow along with technology. The more exposure the children of Malawi have to computers the better able they will be to grow at the same pace as their peers in the developed world.