Literacy

Literacy

Quality education is an inherent human right

And yet, a quality education remains out of reach for millions of children around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic created a global education emergency and we are in the midst of a worsening illiteracy crisis.

70% of children in historically low- to middle-income communities cannot read and understand a simple text by the age of ten.

2.4 million more teachers are needed to provide every child with a primary education by 2030. In the rush to fill this gap, many countries are lowering standards, leaving new teachers with little or no training.

In many under-resourced communities, quality, culturally relevant children’s books for early readers are limited or nonexistent.

Without action, current education systems will continue to deny the fundamental right to quality education for millions of children for decades to come.

Inside Room to Read's Literacy Program

Room to Read is breaking the cycle of childhood illiteracy and poverty in a single generation.

We know how to solve the illiteracy crisis. Room to Read's approach not only works for all children – it works at scale. Our innovative Literacy Program results in some of the strongest positive learning outcomes in the sector and is the only global literacy organization that effectively combines these three core elements:

Effective literacy instruction

Our proven, data-backed instruction method combines the science of learning to read with the magic of loving to read. We know that how we teach is just as important as what we teach.

Engaging, child-friendly libraries

We partner with schools to establish libraries and advocate with governments to ensure every child has access to a child-friendly library filled with developmentally appropriate, diverse and engaging books.

Quality, local language children's books

Through our unique role as a nonprofit book publisher, Room to Read partners with local publishers, authors and illustrators to create and distribute diverse, culturally relevant children's books that inspire a love of reading.


Educators Equipped to Get Kids Learning

We know that how we teach is just as important as what we teach. Room to Read trains teachers and librarians in literacy and library best practices and it shows. Grade 2 children in Room to Read partner schools read on average more than twice as many correct words per minute and correctly answer 70 percent more comprehension questions compared to their peers in comparison schools.

Room to Read also assists educators in developing their skills and knowledge on effective literacy instruction and library management, with ongoing job-embedded support from literacy coaches. Our reading instruction is centered around engaging and evidence-based instructional materials that are developed and published by Room to Read, such as local language student textbooks with accompanying teacher guides.

Training Teachers to Overcome Barriers

Locally Adaptable

Our Literacy Program operates successfully in tens of thousands of communities globally because it can be adapted for any population or context. Most of our staff are from the countries and communities where they work. This trusted local presence enables Room to Read to contextualize programs to better meet the needs of local students and families, and meet students where they are – whether in the classroom or learning from home – including hand-delivering books and learning packets to children’s homes, broadcasting lessons over the radio, sending mobile libraries to remote villages, and digitizing our books on our online platform, LiteracyCloud.org.

Sustainable & Scalable

Our approach not only works for all children – it works at scale. By building literacy skills alongside reading habits, and by engaging governments and other NGOs to use this highly effective methodology, we are cementing the foundation for systemic change in education and paving an inclusive path toward ending global illiteracy. Through partnerships with governments, public school systems and other NGOs, Room to Read is reshaping education systems at the national level. In fact, Room to Read is often the only NGO invited by governments to join advisory committees to inform nationwide curriculum development, teacher training and school library standards.

2 children in Cambodia laughing as they read a book with text overlay that says "Support children's education today"

Read our latest literacy blogs:

That's what love is

"When we create something tangible for the students, that’s what love is."


Educator training and coaching, Vietnam

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Room to Read teacher trainings help bolster skills among primary school teachers end early grade illiteracy in Tanzania

“My school is now shining.”


Educator training and coaching, Tanzania

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Partnerships pave the way: scaling Room to Read’s library model

Partnerships pave the way: scaling Room to Read’s library model


Skill building, Cambodia

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How to Read to Children: Why Training Teachers Matters

How to read to children: Why training teachers matters


Educator training and coaching, Cambodia

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Room to Read publishes new Urdu language books in Pakistan

Creating essential learning resources: Room to Read publishes new Urdu-language books in Pakistan


Content and curriculum, Pakistan

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Education remains a constant amidst change for refugee communities across the globe: How Room to Read supports refugee communities

Education remains a constant amidst change for refugee communities across the globe


Skill building, Bangladesh

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Room to Read’s STEAM-Powered Careers Book Collection inspires representation in STEAM careers

Room to Read’s STEAM-Powered Careers Book Collection inspires representation in STEAM careers


Content and curriculum, United States

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Inspiring the next generation of changemakers: Introducing Room to Read and Ashoka’s new children's book series

Inspiring the next generation of changemakers: Introducing Room to Read and Ashoka’s new children's book series


Skill building, Indonesia

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Invest in children's education today.