“I just couldn’t watch another child struggle.”
Dr. Charlotte Lockhart, Educator & Creator of the Orton Gillingham Method
Literacy is the cornerstone of all learning. Yet, across many classrooms, both globally and in Qatar, students are falling behind in acquiring this essential skill. For educators, parents, and policymakers, the question is no longer whether literacy needs attention, it’s how to deliver it in the most impactful and inclusive way.
At Edutech Consultancy, we believe that literacy enhancement in Qatar is not just a goal, it’s a necessity. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Reading Horizons, a globally recognized reading program rooted in a powerful vision: to ensure no child struggles silently with reading.
According to a 2024 report by the National Literacy Trust, cited in Sky News, only one in three children (34.6%) aged 8–18 enjoy reading in their free time, the lowest figure since the survey began in 2005. This sharp decline in reading engagement isn’t just a cultural concern, it’s laying the groundwork for long-term academic underperformance and a weakening literacy foundation. The emergence of a “national literacy crisis” in England underscores the urgency of adopting evidence-based solutions. Programs like Reading Horizons, with its structured, multisensory phonics approach, offer a robust antidote, promoting reading confidence, comprehension, and academic preparedness that align with Qatar’s educational vision.
The Literacy Challenge in Qatar
While Qatar has made remarkable strides in education reform, literacy gaps still persist, especially among:
- Early learners who need structured foundational skills
- English language learners adjusting to a bilingual curriculum
- Students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties
In today’s classrooms, traditional reading methods often fall short in meeting the needs of these diverse learners. That’s where targeted reading intervention programs, like Reading Horizons, make the difference.
The Vision Behind Reading Horizons
In the early 1980s, Dr. Charlotte Lockhart, a passionate educator, saw a recurring problem, many students were being left behind due to ineffective reading instruction. Especially those with dyslexia, language delays, or learning differences.
Rather than accept the status quo, Dr. Lockhart took action. She developed a method rooted in the Orton-Gillingham approach, which uses:
- Structured sequencing of phonics instruction
- Multisensory engagement, involving sight, sound, movement
- Science-based reading strategies proven to support struggling readers
Her work became the foundation of Reading Horizons, a literacy program that has since changed the lives of:
- 1,000,000+ students worldwide
- Over 10,000 schools
- 50,000+ trained educators
With a 95% success rate among struggling readers, Reading Horizons has become a beacon of hope for schools seeking practical, proven solutions to boost literacy.
How the Method Works: A Structured Path to Reading
The Reading Horizons system is more than a phonics program, it’s a comprehensive literacy enhancement tool built to support early readers, students with dyslexia, and English language learners (ELLs).
Core Features of the Reading Horizons Method:
Structured: Students follow a clear, sequential path, from letters and sounds to complex words and fluency.
Multisensory: Learners use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic techniques to internalise phonics concepts.
Explicit: Teachers model each skill directly, leaving no room for confusion.
Cumulative: Each skill builds on the last, reinforcing learning at every step.
Science-backed: Aligned with the science of reading and Orton-Gillingham research.
This approach is especially effective for intervention programs, reading remediation, and schools that want to raise their overall literacy scores.
Literacy Enhancement in Qatar: Edutech’s Role
Now, the legacy of Dr. Lockhart and the impact of Reading Horizons reach Qatar, through Edutech Consultancy.
Our mission is to revolutionize education in Qatar by bringing innovative, research-backed solutions to schools, educators, and learners. As the official implementation partner for Reading Horizons in Qatar, we are leading the way in literacy enhancement, helping schools achieve:
- Higher reading proficiency in early grades
- Better support for struggling and ELL students
- Teacher development in effective phonics instruction
- Inclusive reading environments for all learners
Whether your school follows a national, IB, British, or American curriculum, Reading Horizons can integrate seamlessly into existing literacy goals and support the Ministry of Education’s vision for student achievement.
Real Impact, Real Numbers
Reading Horizons is more than a theory, it’s a proven global reading solution. Here’s what the results show:
1M+ Students Transformed: Children who once feared reading are now confident and capable.
10K+ Schools Supported: Across the U.S. and internationally, the method is trusted by educators.
95% Success Rate: Schools see measurable gains in student reading performance.
80% of struggling readers achieve grade-level proficiency in just one year.
50K+ Educators Trained: Teachers receive the tools and confidence to deliver real literacy results.
These numbers are not just statistics, they represent lives changed and futures unlocked.
Why It Matters in Qatar
A 2022 study titled “Fostering a Reading Culture: Evidence from Qatar Reads” highlights the critical importance of early literacy intervention and community-based reading initiatives in Qatar. The findings emphasize that while Qatar has made notable strides in educational investment, many students still face challenges in developing consistent reading habits and foundational literacy skills. Programs like Qatar Reads demonstrate that culturally responsive, structured reading efforts can dramatically improve student engagement and literacy outcomes.
This aligns with Edutech Consultancy’s introduction of Reading Horizons, a science-backed, structured phonics program, as a strategic response to these literacy gaps. By supporting schools in implementing proven literacy methods, Edutech is helping to strengthen Qatar’s national push toward inclusive, high-quality education and long-term academic success for all learners.
Qatar is investing heavily in educational advancement. But true progress depends on foundational skills like reading. Without literacy, students struggle across subjects, from science and math to digital learning and beyond.
By introducing Reading Horizons into Qatari schools, Edutech Consultancy is:
- Addressing the needs of diverse learners
- Supporting inclusive education
- Helping schools improve academic performance and inspection readiness
- Aligning with national goals for STEM, innovation, and 21st-century skills
We’re not just implementing a program, we’re building a literacy movement rooted in compassion, strategy, and global success.
Join the Movement
Whether you are a principal, literacy coordinator, or teacher, if your school wants to improve reading outcomes, we invite you to explore what Reading Horizons can offer.
Our support includes:
Teacher training and onboarding
Curriculum integration planning
Monitoring and reporting for literacy progress
Flexible models for small groups, interventions, and full classrooms
Let’s ensure no child in Qatar is left behind in reading.
Final Word: From a Vision to a Reality
Dr. Charlotte Lockhart’s legacy lives on, not just through her powerful quote, but through every child who learns to read with confidence and joy. At Edutech Consultancy, we are honoured to continue that mission in Qatar.
If you believe literacy is the foundation of a better future, let’s work together to make it accessible for every learner in your school.
Contact Edutech Consultancy
Let’s bring Reading Horizons to your school.
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