Project aims to improve learning

THE Rapidly Improving Standards in Elementary (RISE) programme has launched a newly developed Tok Pisin educational resources for Papua New Guinean parents.
In PNG, elementary learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy are below national standards, which are linked to low teaching and teacher literacy standards and poor language competency. The RISE programme aims to improve early education quality for children aged four to eight and supporting parents in this endeavour.
Newly developed information education and communication posters and booklets would be distributed to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Eastern Highlands and East Sepik, areas which RISE operates in.
Save the Children Pacific director Jennifer El-Sibai said the resources were designed to encourage positive behaviour from students and their families at home and at school.
“Good nutrition, reading at home and consistent school attendance, all work towards children getting a better education,” El-Sibai said. “These are all things that parents can do at home, so their kids have the best chance to do well in school.”
RISE aims to provide 1,800 elementary teachers and 750 early childhood care and education facilitators with teaching support to improve literacy and numeracy teaching capacity of 650 elementary schools. “With the help of parents to get their ready for school combined with RISE’s teacher training, this programme can achieve great outcomes for tens of thousands of Papua New Guinean children,” El-Sibai said.
RISE is funded by the Australian government in partnership with the PNG Government and is scheduled to run until 2020.
RISE is led by Save the Children.