Tajikistan: Learn Together Activity

School children are seated around two large tables with school papers spread out. The children interact with each other while a teacher stands near one of the tables.
Photo credit: USAID Tajikistan
Donor: USAID • Partner: Chemonics International • Timeframe: October 2020 – December 2022

Learn Together Activity (LTA)

USAID’s Learn Together Activity (LTA) was a five-year project that aimed to improve Tajik primary students’ learning skills and focuses on improving reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, and mathematics. Tajikistan has free and compulsory basic education, with high enrollment and completion rates. However, the education system faced many challenges, including an insufficient budget, a lack of professional development opportunities for teachers, and outdated curricula and educational materials.

LTA addressed these challenges by partnering with the government of Tajikistan and the private sector to improve instruction, capacity, and materials. The project improved reading and mathematics instruction by providing professional development opportunities for teachers and increasing the quality of and access to supplemental educational materials. Committed to inclusivity and accessibility, the project focused on regions with lower learning outcomes and ensured materials and instruction were accessible to all, including students with disabilities. The partnership with the government of Tajikistan ensured that the national education system innovated and nationalized best practices such as effective teacher training and the distribution of learning materials. By improving instruction in reading and math, increasing the availability of instructional materials, and providing professional development for teachers, the project helps develop Tajik students’ skills in the classroom and beyond. IDP provided cross-cutting technical assistance related to social inclusion to ensure LTA materials, approaches, and deliverables incorporated international best practices to reach all audiences.

Project Highlights

  • Advised LTA on the inclusion portion of the Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis methodology and report as well as supporting LTA’s work building capacity within a ministerial working group focused on inclusive education.
  • Trained LTA staff on UDL to ensure these principles are embedded into all project activities.