For use with the Uganda LARA Reading Symposium event. The National Literacy Symposium targeted a range of policy makers at the national and district levels who are key to the planning and execution of Government’s basic education programs. The main objectives of the Symposium were; i) to reflect on the challenges and successes identified by the districts during EGR implementation, ii) to discuss policy and systems level solutions to better sustain and enhance EGR throughout Uganda. The Symposium explored international best practices and research that illustrated key components for successful large scale EGR interventions and discussed how Uganda’s systems can incorporate these best practices into effective policies and systems. The symposium was guided by two key documents namely; facilitators’ guide and information pack. A) The facilitators’ guide guided the smooth running of the sessions and it is a good document that can be adapted when planning for big learning events. B) The information pack included data on reading assessments, teacher uptake of the early grade reading methodology, instructional support, approaches to teacher growth and development at school, college and district level and improved performance management, accountability and financing efficiency. Generally the information pack helped participants to reflect on the following questions:
• Are children learning to read?
• Do we have quality reading instruction?
• Are teachers supported to teach reading?
• Are primary schools positive and supportive for teaching and learning?
• Are there clearly communicated performance expectations and monitoring and accountability systems in place?
• What are the resources required and the necessary decisions for the future of early grade reading?