Hybrid
6/10/2026
Latin America and Caribbean
Webinar Launch: A Generation That Doesn’t Understand What It Reads
Webinar Launch: A Generation That Doesn’t Understand What It Reads
Monday, 15 June 2026 | Virtual Event
The Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP), in partnership with the World Bank and regional education leaders, hosted a Spanish-language webinar to launch the report Effective Reading Instruction in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: What the Evidence Shows. The event explored how evidence on reading instruction can inform education policy and practice across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Moderated by Jaime Saavedra, the webinar featured a presentation of the report by Horacio Álvarez and Jaime Saavedra, followed by reflections from leading policymakers and education experts. Panelists included Sir Nick Gibb, Mónica Ospina, Rossieli Soares, and Javier González. Opening remarks were delivered by Roberto Benes.
The discussion focused on what the evidence shows about effective reading instruction and how governments can translate research into policy and classroom practice. Speakers reflected on lessons from literacy reforms in different contexts, including the role of systematic phonics, teacher support, assessment, and system-wide alignment in improving reading outcomes.
Panelists also explored why evidence-based approaches to reading instruction have been adopted unevenly across the region and what technical, political, and institutional conditions are needed to support successful implementation at scale. Particular attention was given to ensuring that reading reforms reach learners and communities facing the greatest challenges.
The webinar reflected on the urgent need to address the region’s learning crisis and emphasized that strong evidence already exists on how children learn to read. The conversation underscored the importance of using this evidence to guide policy decisions and support more children in developing foundational reading skills.