USAID’s support to the Ministry of National Education in improving primary education yields positive results.

The Minister of National Education, Ms. Stangeline Ralambomanana, and USAID Mission Director, Gerald A. Cashion, participated in the national close-out workshop for the phase-1 of the ATEC (Technological Support to Educators and Communities) program on September 11 in Antananarivo. This USAID-funded program aimed to improve the quality of primary education and support the education reforms initiated by the Ministry of National Education.

This program supports the Ministry of Education’s efforts in three key areas: enhance distance education through designing and broadcasting radio programs for first graders, increase school-community partnership through the establishment of parents’ and teachers’ associations (FAFF and FRAM). Support from the ATEC program also helped these associations implement school improvement plans and provided funds for local education projects. Teacher networks established under the program brought teachers together in small groups to share best practices, develop new methods and produce learning materials from locally available products.

Six school districts (CISCOs) received assistance under this project: Toamasina-II, Vatomandry, Fianarantsoa-II, Ambohimahasoa, Toliara-II, and Betioky Sud. Results have been remarkable. Education professionals within the Ministry of National Education designed and produced 150 interactive radio programs called “Izaho koa mba te hahay” for 1st and 2nd graders. More than 2700 teachers in the six CISCOs were trained to use the ‘active’ teaching skills and strategies as highlighted in each radio program. More than 96% of 1st grade teachers in the target areas regularly use these new strategies in their classrooms. This is nearly a 30% increase compared to September 2007 when the programs were broadcast for the first time. A total of 75 communities have developed pluriannual school improvement plans, of which 38 received grants from the USAID in a total amount of $15,000. Among the 380 teachers’ networks which have been established in the six CISCOs, many received USAID grants for a total value of $15,000 to finance special pedagogical projects.

USAID and Ministry of National Education will continue this exemplary partnership in a second phase for the program. The activities will remain centered on improving teachers’ skills, using information communications technology to reach broad audiences, and promoting community participation in education. The second phase will also include a focus on teaching and learning of the English language at the primary level.