Promoting Literacy and Numeracy Skills in Primary Schools: Strategies for Improving Reading, Writing, and Mathematical Abilities in the Middle East, with a Focus on Saudi Arabia through the IB and Cambridge Curricula

Aishah Khan

Aishah Khan SEK International School, Saudi Arabia

Keywords: literacy, numeracy, primary education, middle east, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The early years of learning are important in the development of a learner's skills, especially literacy and numeracy skills. In this paper, the method of improving learning in reading, writing and mathematical abilities in the primary schools, especially for the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge programs, will be highlighted. Discussing Western educational interventions as applied to the Middle Eastern context, particularly Saudi Arabia, we describe how incorporation of such curricula may contribute to the development of sound academic skills. The need for culturally responsive learning instruction and activity, cooperation, as well as staff development will also be discussed.

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