Ethiopia
Jolly Phonics is having a positive impact on literacy levels in EthiopiaProject Start Date
2014Implementing Partner
Together We Learn, Luwam Araya BahibiGovernment Partners
Amhara Regional Education Bureau
Together We Learn (TWL) has been working with teachers to use synthetic phonics since 2013 and conducted its first pilots with schools in Gondar and Bishoftu in 2014. The Jolly Phonics lessons received lots of positive feedback from the education office, teachers, students and from TWL’s local project managers and TWL were able to see a jump in the reading age of participating students after one year.
Together We Learn relaunched its partnership with Jolly Futures in 2018, with a pilot project in 10 schools in Gondar followed by 40 schools in Gondar, Debre tabor, Debre Markos and Dessie in 2019. After being affected by nationwide school closures due to Covid-19, these pilots are re-running in 2020-21. TWL is also working with teacher training colleges in Gondar and Debre Tabor to pilot Jolly Phonics training for student teachers.
Additionally, there are Jolly Phonics pilots being implemented in Addis Ababa city and the Tigray Region, managed by professional Jolly Phonics trainer Luwam Araya Bahlbi.

There are currently Jolly Phonics pilots in 3 regions of Ethiopia

Take a look at the project in action...
Project Reports and Documents
Together_We_Learn_-_Early_Years_English_Improvement_-_Final_Report.pdf
LE Early Years English Improvement Project Yr 1- Jolly Phonics Report.pdf
Project Contacts

Rory Dillon
Projects and Programmes Manager, Together We LearnProjects: Amhara

Elsa Kebede
Country Director, Together We Learn – EthiopiaProjects: Amhara

Zemene Mersha
Projects Manager – Gondar office, Together We Learn – EthiopiaProjects: Amhara

Luwam Araya Bahibi
Jolly Phonics Trainer, Jolly Futures Manager and Educational ConsultantProjects: Various
Project Partners

