The United States Agency for International Development(USAID) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) partnered to host a webinar to showcase the achievements of the Early Learners Program - under the theme ‘The Future of Reading in the OECS’.

The Early Learners Program (ELP) addresses the essential aspects of policy and practice in order to improve the reading levels of all learners at the early primary level (Grade K to Grade 3). The webinar described the impact of the ELP on early grade readers’ performance and shared best practices throughout the OECS.

Lisa Sargusingh–Terrance, Reading Specialist of the OECS/USAID Early Learners Program highlighted the importance of implementing a system able to identify the needs of students and provide the necessary support.

“Every education system should have a comprehensive assessment program and a program that naturally captures diagnostic assessment on our learners, and making sure that we capture that assessment early. I would venture further to say that for us to really capture these bits of information from very early, it has to be a collaborative effort with all interests.”

Angel Caglin, Curriculum Officer at the Ministry of Education stated that one of the main objectives of the project is to ensure that not only reading gains are achieved, but that students enjoy reading.

“I would say overall that while we focus on all those little factors in reading instruction we really want to focus on the joy that we want students to experience as they read. We want them to enjoy the act of reading and that means putting language in the place where it belongs.”

The curriculum officer also urged parents to become more involved in the literary development of their child.

“One of the things that is very important, is to establish a connection with the teacher and with the school, and participate in whatever activities that are available at the school especially in the areas of literacy. Reading with children helps, and having your child read to you also helps your child to practice his or her reading skills,” she said.

The Early Learner Program ends in September.