EDC to Focus on Early Grade Reading in Northern Nigeria

WALTHAM, MA | With funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development, EDC is partnering with Creative Associates on Northern Education Initiative Plus (NEI Plus), a five-year program in Nigeria. NEI Plus will provide high-quality education—especially for girls, orphans, and children enrolled in nontraditional schools—and improve teaching quality for grades 1–3.

EDC is managing program monitoring and evaluation, leading implementation in Sokoto state, creating early-grade reading standards, and expanding technology for learning. One technology example to be introduced is a track and trace system that will allow shipments of books and reading materials to be easily monitored using mobile devices.

“We’ve made a great deal of progress in expanding reading, helping teachers improve their skills, and strengthening government systems to more effectively deliver a quality education,” said EDC’s Susan Ross. “We look forward to continuing to work alongside our partners in this effort for the benefit of children in these states in Northern Nigeria.”

To date, NEI Plus has reached more than 30,000 children, particularly girls and vulnerable children, with literacy, numeracy, and life skills. The goal is to improve access and quality of education for more than 2 million school-aged children and youth in three northern states, Sokoto, Bauchi, and another to be determined. More than 16,000 teachers are being trained to deliver high-quality, early-grade reading and primary programs.

NEI Plus is also working to build program ownership among federal, state, and local government education authorities to increase local commitment to early-grade reading instruction and expanded access.

The program builds on Nigeria NEI, which strengthened basic education systems in Bauchi and Sokoto states by increasing access to quality basic education and social services.

EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Visit www.edc.org.