RAMAA (Action Research: Measuring Literacy Programme Participants’ Learning Outcomes) is the first generation of action research in the field of literacy measurement. It was initiated by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) in order to fill a gap that is currently not covered by large-scale literacy assessment.

RAMAA: Literacy measurement

The purpose of RAMAA is to develop national capacities to evaluate and monitor the quality of literacy programmes, and to inform policymakers and development partners about the return on investment in literacy programmes by measuring the real level of literacy acquired, i.e. the actual performance of learners who complete courses. RAMAA is based on a methodological framework that takes into account cultural, educational and linguistic specificities as well as the knowledge and capacities of national experts from the participating countries in order to design, manage and implement programmes locally. RAMAA’s measurement tools are therefore constructed by the participating countries in partnership with UIL, the relevant UNESCO field offices, researchers and consultants. It is supported by partners such as the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Centre international d’études pédagogiques (CIEP) and the University of Hamburg. The project is also supported by technical and financial partners from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA).