A Curriculum For Enhancing Reading Skills

Reading opens doors to learning about everything. “THE NAME OF THE DOG IS PUPPY” this seems like a simple sentence. But did you know that in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and even Bangladesh three out of four third-grade students do not understand it? 

All children should be able to read by age 10. Reading is a gateway for learning as the child progresses through school—and conversely, an inability to read slams that gate shut. Beyond this, when children cannot read, it’s usually a clear indication that school systems aren’t well organized to help children learn in other areas such as math, science, and the humanities. And although it is possible to learn later in life with enough effort, children who don’t read by age 10—or at the latest, by the end of primary school—usually fail to master reading later in their schooling career. 

The world is facing a learning crisis. While countries have significantly increased access to education, being in school isn’t the same thing as learning. Worldwide, hundreds of millions of children reach young adulthood without even the most basic skills like calculating the correct change from a transaction, reading a doctor’s instructions, or understanding a bus schedule—let alone building a fulfilling career or educating their children. 

Globally, alarming statistics reveal that 70% of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income economies face “learning poverty,” struggling to read and comprehend simple texts. This issue is particularly concerning as six out of every ten children worldwide suffer from learning poverty, as reported by the UN. The repercussions extend to economic impact, with education being crucial for building human capital. The latest World Bank research indicates that the productivity of 56% of children around the globe would be severely affected without complete education and optimal health.

In Bangladesh, despite a high enrollment rate of around 98%, a study reveals that 79% of children lack essential reading, comprehension, and writing skills in both Bangla and English. This poses a significant threat to future workforce and economic well-being. Immediate attention is required to address this educational crisis before the numbers worsen.

The vision of Grow your Reader is to ensure that every child and youth acquires the necessary reading skills to become productive, fulfilled, and engaged citizens who can take charge of their lives and contribute to their communities. Our primary focus involves assisting teachers at all levels in enhancing their effectiveness, improving learning technology, and strengthening school and system management. We aim to equip learners of all ages, from preschool to adulthood, for success.

To achieve this, we’ve developed “Reading Secrets,” a curriculum designed to teach easy techniques to teachers, parents, and early school children for English reading. This curriculum is also employed for students facing learning gaps. The instructions are user-friendly and self-driven, allowing students to apply them independently. The sequential arrangement of instructions caters to various age levels, fostering the cognitive development of the child. Ultimately, this curriculum establishes a robust internal system within the child, contributing to the automatic development of reading fluency.