The Upper Primary Reading (UPRead) Activity is a five-year USAID-funded project being implemented by the Malawi Institute of Education. The project started in June 2021 and will end in June 2026.
The project gets technical assistance from Florida State University and School–to–School International from the United States of America.
The main goal of the project is to institute a comprehensive reading materials development system for upper primary to support improved learning outcomes in Standards 5 to 8 under Malawi’s National Reading Program.
The specific objectives of the project include:
- To support MIE in developing a comprehensive reading materials development system that includes building institutional capacity for curriculum development, technical capacity for the curriculum design process and operational capacity for sustainability.
- To develop quality and relevant instructional and supplementary materials for upper primary English and Chichewa.
The project has the following deliverables to accomplish:
- 8 Scope and Sequence charts for Standards 5 to 8 Chichewa and English
- 8 Copies of Standards 5 to 8 Chichewa and English Learners’ Books
- 8 Copies of Standards 5 to 8 Chichewa and English Teachers’ Guides
- 8 Copies of Standards 5 to 8 Chichewa and English Syllabuses
- 160 Copies of supplementary readers for Standards 5 to 8 Chichewa and English
- 1 Copy of the Continuous Assessment and Remediation manual
- 1 Copy of the supplementary resource guide
Since the project started, the following have been completed:
- 8 Scope and Sequence charts for Standards 5 to 8 Chichewa and English
- 4 Copies of Standards 5 and 6 Chichewa and English Learners’ Books
- 4 Copies of Standards 5 and 6 Chichewa and English Teachers’ Guides
In January 2023, the project started developing standard 7 and 8 English and Chichewa learner’s books and teacher’s guides. The drafted materials have been trial -tested and soon, the materials will be reviewed in readiness for editing.