Process Evaluation of an English Literacy Programme: Are Our Children Learning Evidence from the Field

Every child has a right to education in order to lead a productive and fulfilled life. Like many other countries around the world, the South African government subscribes to this view. In its efforts to ensure a better life for all, the government has instituted policy mechanisms that would allow all children access education and at the very least, be able to read and write. While this is an important goal to aim, it is a daunting task for government to do it alone. In response to this noble cause, Soul Action, an educational NGO based in Durban, partners with schools in rural schools of Durban Metro in providing English literacy lessons. The aim is to improve the literacy levels of learners in lower primary grades. Following a process evaluation exercise, the evaluation revealed that targeting learners in lower grades, just at onset of their schooling life, provides them an opportunity to learn quicker how to read, write and communicate in English as a second language. It also revealed that collaborative efforts between service providers and educators are critical in improving learners’ literacy skills, especially in resource-poor settings.

Paul Kariuki is a monitoring and evaluation practitioner based in Durban, South Africa.He has experience in the areas of leadership, HIV/AIDS, monitoring & evaluation.He is a graduate of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, KwaZulu Natal and Zululand universities with qualifications in development economics, monitoring and evaluation.He is married with a son.