Senegal Primary 3 Reading

Senegal's primary education system is based on the French model and is divided into three cycles of two years each. Primary school is for children aged 7 to 12. Primary 3 falls within the second cycle (Grades 3-4).

French is the primary language of instruction, but there are programs that incorporate national languages like Wolof, Pulaar, and Serer in early grades.

A key initiative aimed at improving reading outcomes in early grades is the "Lecture Pour Tous" program (LPT). This USAID-funded project, implemented from 2016 to 2021, focused on improving reading instruction for students in Grades 1-3, using local languages in six regions. The program trained teachers, established community reading clubs, and developed resources for parents. LPT aimed to have at least 60% of Grade 2 students reading and understanding grade-level text by 2021. A midline evaluation in October 2019 showed positive results.

Other programs aimed at improving reading outcomes include:

• Read@Home: Provides early reading activities for children aged 0-6.
• PALME (Partnership for the Acquisition of Reading Skills in Primary Schools): Focuses on improving reading and math learning outcomes.
• RELIT (Renforcement de la Lecture Initiale pour Tous): Supports bilingual education and the development of reading materials in national languages.

While the specific Primary 3 Reading Curriculum remains elusive, these programs provide insight into the current focus on early grade reading in Senegal.