At least 36,000 learners have gained literacy and numeracy skills through an Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) implemented in three counties, a new report has shown.

The ALP, which was launched in 2018, targeted learners from over 150 schools in Bungoma, Tana River and Turkana counties.

It was implemented by Safaricom Foundation, Zizi Afrique and members of the Regional Education Learning Initiative (RELI).

The programme also inducted 182 head teachers and reskilled 265 teachers to impart literacy and numeracy skills.

According to Safaricom Foundation chairman Joe Ogutu, the programme was an opportunity to transform learners’ lives through education, following research that showed the three counties had high literacy and numeracy needs.

“The focus of the programme is to hasten the acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy skills for learners in Grades 3-5, by engaging them in fun-play-based and engaging activities. We have distributed over 100,000 reading materials and constructed 15 classrooms and five libraries,” said Ogutu.

He made the remarks yesterday during a literacy and numeracy policy forum held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development as part of the 2022 International Literacy Day celebrations.

An Uwezo assessment report conducted between 2010 and 2021 pointed to a sizable proportion of learners in Grade Three lagging by at least one year.

During the forum, Education Principal Secretary, Dr Julius Jwan, represented by Kawira Gikambi from the Ministry, said Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) is a step in the right direction towards literacy development of learners.