Itegure Gusoma is one of VSO’s innovative early childhood education projects, aiming at improving reading outcomes for pre-primary learners between the ages of 3-6 years in 16 districts of Rwanda.

The overall aim of the program is to develop and pilot a pre-primary literacy program that improves early reading and emergent literacy skills for children in Nursery 3, so that children are better prepared to learn to read in Kinyarwanda in Primary 1.

Outcomes:

1. Expand access to materials base for pre-primary reading.
2. Increase the capacity of teachers to promote reading in pre-primary.
3. Increase the capacity of school leaders to supervise pre-primary.
4. Increase the capacity of parents and community level to engage in emergent literacy.

VSO partners in this project with REB, USAID and UNICEF.

My responsibilities:

I had the responsibility to work in 3 districts: Nyamasheke, Karongi and Rusizi. In each district I worked in 5 schools together with a national volunteer (each district another colleague). Teachers, school leaders and parents were trained and coached by my national colleagues and me.

Our focus was on emergent literacy through play-based learning and learner centred methodologies. The Early Childhood Education Competency Based Curriculum (ECE CBC) was our guideline during the implementation.

It was also my responsibility to build the capacity of my national colleagues.

During the implementation of this project I have participated in REB workshops where I contributed to the development of materials for TTC tutors and ECE teachers.