Scaling-up literacy and writing

The initiative was recently shared by Save the Children in a meeting between the Ministry of Education and Human Development (MINEDH) and its strategic partners and brought to attention all the participants who were unanimous in valuing the experience, both in terms of content, but also by its consistency and potential for sustainability.

As a result, Save the Children was recommended to finalize the ongoing process of production of the materials for subsequent submission to the Validation Committee, composed of members of the Pedagogic University (UP), Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), National Development Institute of Education (INDE), National Directorate of Teacher Training, National Directorate of Primary Education and  by senior technicians of MINEDH. According to Nacima Figia, Education Specialist at Save the Children, a workshop will be organized and the initiative will be presented in more detail for in-depth reflection on the materials (books) in order to conduct the validation process that will lead to the launch.

Nacima states that until this point, Save the Children have collected stories in macua language, captured in the reading and writing corners in Nampula province. “Stories are rich in local cultural content, and always have a moral lesson. We are working closely with the teacher training institutes; with the provincial directorates of Education and Human Development; with trainers on didactics, Bantu languages, and Portuguese for the necessary arrangements”, she said.

The use of these books is being considered for children in the first three grades (1 to 3) and is in line with the Government's bilingual education project which aims at the producing materials in 16 local languages. The experience of using these stories adds value to the bilingual teaching project.