Reading Pioneers Project

A Strategic Project to Advance Reading Skills

 

The Reading Pioneers Project is a strategic educational initiative launched by the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) to enhance primary students’ critical and analytical reading skills, strengthen effective reading practices across schools, and cultivate a sustainable culture of reading among learners.

 

The project focuses on empowering educators by equipping them with the latest practices and instructional strategies in reading. This contributes to the enhancement of classroom practices, encourages students to engage actively in reading activities, and improves academic achievement in alignment with international standards and performance indicators.

 

Phase One 2025–2026

The first phase of the Reading Pioneers Project focused on equipping Grade 4 Arabic and English language teachers in private schools across the Emirate with effective reading instruction competencies and strengthening students' reading skills.

 

The phase also focused on building a sustainable professional learning community through a comprehensive professional development programme delivered via the Tamkeen Platform, in collaboration with a distinguished group of international experts from Singapore.

 

The programme enabled teachers to access training content flexibly, monitor their learning progress, and complete their professional development journey at their own pace, thereby supporting continuous learning and the exchange of professional expertise and best practices.

 

Phase One Impact in Numbers

• More than 120 schools took part.
• Approximately 1,039 teachers participated.
• More than 5,000 students benefited.
• More than 200 Student Reading Pioneers from private schools.

 

Phase Two 2026–2027

Building on the achievements and impact of Phase One, the second phase of the Reading Pioneers Project for the 2026–2027 academic year seeks to expand the project’s reach and strengthen the sustainability of its impact across schools.

 

Phase Two targets Arabic and English language teachers in the primary stage, enhancing their ability to implement effective reading instruction practices and strategies, support students’ reading development, and embed sustainable professional practices within schools.

 

Through this expansion, the project continues to build the capacity of educational professionals, strengthen their partnerships with parents, and enhance their role in creating a sustainable impact on student learning, thereby supporting improvements in the quality of education and learning outcomes.

 

 

Our Vision

Through the Reading Pioneers Project, we aspire to continuously enhance the quality of education, elevate students’ performance in critical and analytical reading, and strengthen evidence-informed teaching practices. These efforts contribute to achieving outstanding educational outcomes, attaining advanced positions in international assessments and benchmarks, and reinforcing Sharjah’s standing as a leading global model in education.