Advancing the Right to Read in Rwanda: Final evaluation report

In early 2012, the education system in Rwanda has experienced a learning crisis. There was insufficient access to early childhood education, children were entered primary school ill-prepared to learn, and left unable to read. In response to these challenges, Save the Children, with the support of Comic Relief and Department for International Development (DFID), launched its Signature Program called Advancing the Right to Read (ARR) in Rwanda in 2013. Save the Children in partnership with Umuhuza, a Rwandan NGO, implemented a series of projects that supported children’s development from birth through 9 years old. At the same time Save the Children also supported the growth and development of Umuhuza as a small local organization.

The ARR program’s Theory of Change focused on influencing change for girls and boys in Rwanda by implementing projects that engaged the actors with the greatest influence to bring about the desired change. Working with parents, teachers, school leaders, local communities, as well as local and national government stakeholders ARR sought to innovate, pilot and test a range of projects that would ensure Rwandan girls and boys reach their early learning and development milestones and basic literacy competence by age 9.