Dushanbe, Tajikistan, December 9, 2014 – U.S. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Kathleen McDonald joined Deputy Minister of Education and Science Tojinisso Makhmadova, local education officials, teachers, and international organizations at the joint Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan and USAID Quality Reading Project presentation of the 2014 Early Grade Reading Assessment Baseline findings.

USAID and the Ministry developed the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) tool to understand the reading levels of students in Grades 1-4 across Tajikistan.  The tool is based on the new National Reading Standards for Grades 1-4.  EGRA provides an unbiased, systemic overview of literacy in Tajikistan and serves as a data source for policymaking.

During her opening remarks, Kathleen McDonald said, “In fact, for the last 12 years, the U.S. Government has worked jointly with the Ministry of Education and Science and its affiliates to support the implementation of the National Education Development Strategy and the Global Partnership for Education to meet the needs and challenges of the 21st century.  We can celebrate that we have jointly developed teacher training curriculum materials, reading and writing subject standards, and performance standards”.

USAID is a steadfast partner with the Tajik government in the education sector.  In recognition of this partnership, USAID is pleased to share these important findings and continue to support the Ministry of Education and Science in strengthening reading and comprehension across Tajikistan.