Addressing Limited Reading Materials in Maldivian Schools to Improve Literacy Rates
Executive Summary
National assessment of student learning outcomes and other evaluations of student learning in the Maldives show shortcomings in students’ literacy and numeracy. One of the main causes was the limited reading materials available for students. However, due to budget constraints, it was considered not practical to purchase the required reading materials. Therefore, the National Institute of Education came up with an idea to develop and disseminate reading materials to school by empowering classroom teachers as writers. This innovative programme was about developing reading materials for children in the pre-primary age group by developing teacher capacity to be writers.
Implementation
The following actions were taken to implement the programme: An action plan to conduct a series of writers’ workshops for teachers who will develop the materials after completing the training. One workshop held every year so that there is sufficient time to develop, review, edit and distribute material to schools. Expert consultation used for building training modules. Workshops conducted virtually with interactions designed with the participants and facilitators. Each workshop consisted of practical sessions on layout design, maintaining appropriate language structure, editing and typesetting. Continuous monitoring was held to ensure that the participants meet the deadlines. Once products are finalised, standard procedures are followed to publish the products. Once formal publishing procedures are met, the materials are disseminated to schools through digital platforms.
Stakeholders and partners involved
National Institute of Education; Ministry of Education
Impact
Built national capacity for book production. Saved financial resources through skill-building. Broke geographical barriers of leveraging human resources through using technology for communication. Enriched school libraries, which includes 100 big books, more than 100 sets of reading cards, 20 reading related games distributed to schools in the digital form.
Innovations
Enhancing Education Through Resources, Professional Development, and Financial Efficiency
Provide reading materials and other learning resources for students and teachers. Teacher´s professional capacity was developed as they were upskilled to become writers. Financial saving increase for NIE or the Ministry of Education for purchasing or developing the materials.
Constraints
Lack of dedicated staff/personnel for evaluation, editing and proofreading the reading materials.
Involving a Capable Committee for Resource Evaluation and a Separate Selection Process for Skilled Writers can Improve Efficiency and Ease the Burden of Those with Multiple School Responsibilities
It would be worth to consider forming a committee of interested people with capacity to evaluate, edit and proofread the materials. Having a separate selection procedure for identifying good writers for developing the actual materials would save time for those who evaluate, edit and proofread the materials.