A Review of Two Evaluations of the Application of the READ Primary Schools Program in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

The Project

The project aimed to improve the use of the English Language in schools. It was carried out in 35 schools in the former Transkei and 37 in the Kei-Komga area. The project consisted of three components: (1) the supply of textbooks and other learning materials to schools (2) training teachers in the use of books and other learning materials (3) provision of classroom monitoring and feedback.

The Impact Evaluation Results

The impact evaluation found that the project had a positive and significant impact on both reading and writing test scores, equal to 16% and 17% respectively

The Impact Evaluation Method

The evaluation used a difference-in-difference methodology, comparing the schools which had received the program (the treatment schools) with a comparison group of schools which had had a similar level of prior exposure to NGOs.

Click here for more information about this impact evaluation.

The above text is a summary of information taken from the PREM Group’s Impact Evaluation Website. For information on completed and ongoing impact evaluations for all regions click here.