Associates in Research and Education for Development

Summary of ARED's Activities in 20231.1. Sukaabe Janngo Project (USDA/Counterpart International) Continuing from the original project in Saint Louis Academy, this project now operates in three educational inspectorates of Kolda Academy and two in Sdhiou Academy. Key accomplishments include:Educational Materials: Produced and distributed 500 CE2 level writing guides and 30 training modules.Training: Trained 29 master trainers and 215 school directors, including 3 women, as well as 221 CE2 teachers, 41 of whom are women.Pedagogical Days: Organized educational days across participating inspectorates, involving 224 teachers and 218 directors.Tutoring without Tablets: Conducted training for 25 pilot tutors and directors and evaluated the pilot with 17 tutors.Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitored classroom practices in 8 classes across 6 schools and participated in various training and evaluation workshops with institutional and community partners.1.2. Ndaw Wune Program (Echidna) This remedial program for children in CE1 and CP who struggle with basic reading and math skills began in the summer of 2022 with a pilot of 30 classes and 600 students. It has since expanded to 8200 students across 12 educational inspectorates in four academies: Kaolack, Diourbel, Matam, and Saint Louis. Another 4000 students will join in the 2023-2024 school year starting in November. Activities include:Material Revision: Reviewed educational booklets and tutor guides.Material Production: Printed and distributed about 16,000 booklets for students and 400 guides for tutors and supervisors.Educational Days: Organized 5 educational days, two during the 2023 holidays.Training: Conducted training for 30 trainers and 180 tutors during the holidays.Enrollment and Recruitment: Enrolled 7600 students and recruited 38 supervisors and 380 tutors.Supervisory Missions: Managed supervisory missions.1.3. RELIT Program (USAID/RTI) The program focuses on developing educational materials in national languages and French:Initial Courses Material: Monitored and evaluated the materials used in classes in Tambacounda and Kdougou, developed Volumes 1 and 2, and revised guides for weeks 1 to 25 in workshops with ministries, with final approval by USAID.Preparatory Courses Material: Defined technical specifications and produced manuals in five national languages and a single French manual to simplify use.Preschool Material: Continued production of materials tailored to the renovated curriculum, translating and adapting resources for the initial weeks, in close collaboration with the Directorate of Preschool Education.Second Language French (FLS):oObservation and Evaluation: Observed FLS teaching practices, conducting in-depth analysis to improve educational content for young learners.oDevelopment and Stabilization: Defined and stabilized the FLS teaching approach, supported by a diverse range of expertise and guidance from RTI.1.4. "The Future Belongs to Us" Project - ANA (USDA/Counterpart International) The ANA project is carried out in Mauritania by a consortium. ARED oversees enhancing reading skills among students in the first three years of basic education. The activities conducted over the three quarters are summarized as follows:Monitored regional training in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade classes in the Brakna and Gorgol regions.Monitored the implementation of a pilot reading program for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades in the Brakna and Gorgol regions.1.5. LITES Project (USAID/UND&RAN) Framework: Part of SHARE, a collaboration between USAID and the University of Notre Dame (UND). Implemented in six countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Philippines, Mali, and Senegal. The goal is to study how language teaching policies affect reading outcomes. ARED's Role: ARED, under the Resilient Africa Network (RAN), conducts studies in the Kaolack and Matam regions of Senegal, involving 60 schools (30 per region), 120 teachers (60 per region), and 1200 students (600 per region) with both qualitative and quantitative aspects. Main Activities Over Three Quarters:Preparation and Methodology: Reviewed research documents, integrated contributions from UND and RAN, and submitted the research protocol to the National Ethics Committee.Data Collection: Recruited and trained 6 students for coding, plus investigators for qualitative and quantitative data collection in Kaolack and Matam.Data Analysis: Conducted coding training, data collection, cleaning, and descriptive analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, led by a recruited statistician. These activities enable a deep analysis of the impact of language policies on primary education across various cultural and linguistic contexts.1.6. Pastoralism (AFL and RBM) Due to the complex political context in the sub-region, many activities were suspended during the three quarters. However, an ARED specialist managed to conduct some activities:Trained journalists in Zinder, Niger as part of PEPISAO.Participated in the CIGAP event organized by RBM.Attended the pastoral week in Abidjan.1.7. PIPADHS (World Bank)Focus: Improve children's reading habits in 40 communities in the Matam region.Scheduled Start: Activities were planned to begin in October but were delayed.Preparation:oIdentified key participants.oRevised essential project documents.1.8. Ideas42 Project (BMGF)Purpose: Use behavioral science to enhance teaching methods and institutional practices in reading and mathematics.Activities:oConduct field missions.oOrganize virtual sessions with Ideas42 team.1.9. Accelerated Learning Program - Ndaw Wune (BMGF) Implementation of the Ndaw Wune School Year:oClass Setup: Opened 200 Ndaw Wune classes, enrolling 4,000 students for the 2023-24 school year across various regions in Senegal.oEducational Material Distribution: Provided complete teaching materials for 200 teachers and 4,000 students, including reading and math booklets, teacher guides, and read-aloud anthologies in three languages.oPre-Test for Student Placement: Supported teachers and supervisors to conduct a pre-test for all 4,000 students to ensure accurate placement in appropriate learning groups, thus enhancing educational outcomes and personalized learning.Bilingual Math Program Development:oFormed a group of math experts to aid in developing the Ministry of Education's bilingual math program.oCreated an Integrated Technical Working Group (GTTI), including the Elementary Education Division and specialists in mathematics, pedagogy, and Senegalese languages, to ensure comprehensive program development.oOrganized workshops and developed materials, including teacher guides and bilingual lexicons for math instruction, along with a roadmap, training program, and technical and pedagogical specifications for these materials.