Recognizing that education is key to democratic stability and economic prosperity, the United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has embarked on a comprehensive program to foster early grade literacy in six member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The program is implemented in partnership with the OECS Commission and will cost a total of US $8.9 million.

The US Embassy’s Principal Officer in Grenada, Stephen Frahm, joined OECS and other regional education officials to officially launch USAID’s OECS Early Learners’ Program (ELP). A highpoint of the ceremony, held at Grenada’s Radisson Beach Resort, was the official handover of US $1.7 million in teaching and learning materials on behalf of the United States Government to beneficiary member states of Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In addressing the gathering, Mr. Frahm emphasized: “Literacy is vital to creating a thriving society where young people have the opportunity to reach their highest potential academically, socially, and vocationally.” In a continued effort to improve literacy rates in beneficiary states, the USAID OECS initiative will partner with regional governments to support teacher training and professional development, student assessment, curriculum framework design, language policy formation, and access to teaching and learning resources.

To date, over 80 schools in the six member states have benefitted from extensive coaching in reading instruction under the ELP. With planned expansion of program activities in the 2017-2018 academic year, over 24,000 students, 2,000 teachers, and 210 more schools will benefit from the literacy program.