Helping Kids in Afghanistan to Read .

Education in Afghanistan has markedly improved over the last decade: More girls are in school, schools are being rebuilt, and teachers are receiving critical training. The education sector, however, still faces obstacles, such as communities’ poverty and insecurity — obstacles that threaten enrollment rates. To overcome these challenges, the USAID Resources, Skills, and Capacities in Early Grade Reading project conducted a nation-wide literacy assessment to provide the education ministry with reliable, accurate data on early grade literacy. Gathering and analyzing this data has helped the Afghan government make smarter decisions in structuring and financing schools that help students today and will for years down the road.