Reading is Basic: Literacy to reduce Dropouts

Key Progress Highlights (October - January 2025)

Training of National Service Personnels to manage Libraries

• With the support of the National Service Secretariat, nine schools in the Accra Metro area received invaluable assistance from National Service Personnel in managing their libraries. To equip these personnel with essential skills and knowledge, a comprehensive three-day in-person training program was conducted.
• The training focused on key areas of library management, ensuring that all participants were well-prepared to support the library operations in their respective schools. Topics covered included effective book lending practices, book cataloging techniques, and measures for safeguarding library materials.

This initiative not only enhances the capacity of the National Service Personnel but also significantly improves the overall management and accessibility of library resources in these schools, fostering a more enriching educational environment for students. By investing in the professional development of these individuals, we aim to create a sustainable framework for library management that benefits the entire community

RIB II Phase 1 & 2 Final Evaluation & RIB Phase 3 expansion

• The comprehensive final end-line evaluation exercise for all 55 educational institutions participating in the RIB I and II initiatives was successfully conducted in October and November. Concurrently, discussions with BookAid UK have been finalized, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that paves the way for the commencement of the RIB Phase III project.
• Initially, the plan aimed to support 45 schools in 2025, including 22 schools in the Accra Metropolis and 23 schools in Ga South, with a request for over 25,000 books. However, representatives from BookAid indicated that this ambitious proposal was unfeasible due to funding and logistical challenges.
• In response to these constraints, the project has been redesigned. For the first year, the focus will now be on distributing 15,000 books to support 22 schools in Accra and 10,000 books for 23 schools in Ga South. This revised strategy allows for a more manageable implementation while continuing to strive for enhanced educational resources within the targeted communities.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

To further enhance reading activities and support the RIB initiative, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between SCEF and BookAID. This agreement facilitated the shipment of 2000 reading materials, which will be used to bolster the book stock at the SCEF Learning Hub and high-performing RIB partner schools.

Overall Impact

 The final evaluation of the project revealed significant achievements across all 55 educational institutions involved. Over the course of one year, a total of 46,689 books were borrowed, highlighting the increased engagement of students and faculty with library resources.

Furthermore, the initiative successfully provided library management training to more than 120 teachers and librarians. This training aimed to enhance their skills in library operations, thereby improving the overall management and accessibility of library resources.

In addition to the training for educators, 80 library prefects were also trained as part of the project. This group of student leaders plays a crucial role in promoting library usage among their peers and ensuring that the library remains a vibrant hub of learning and collaboration within the institutions.

Overall, these outcomes underscore the project's commitment to fostering a culture of reading and learning, equipping both educators and students with the necessary tools to utilize library resources effectively.