Education Outlook in Uttarakhand

• According to the most recent census, the overall literacy rate of Uttarakhand was 71.6% (83.3% for males and 59.6% for females); compared to India’s literacy rate of 65.38%. The learning levels and the rate of enrollment in the State are thus above the Indian average, but there remains much work to be done. According to ASER 2010, only about half of Standard 5 students could do simple division problem. Through government partnerships and volunteers, Pratham aims to make a difference.

Pratham in Uttarakhand this Year

Uttarakhand features two intertwined variations on the Read India program. The Block Excellence program is supplemented by short term partnerships with the state government. These partnerships have also facilitated the access of BEP volunteers into schools. The objective is to promote effective classroom practices with a focus on child-centric teaching.

Block Excellence Program (BEP)

• The Block Excellence Program was implemented in 15 blocks (BEPs) of 13 districts, with around 100 schools in each BEP. In these blocks, Pratham mobilizes volunteers to give classes in government schools. These volunteers are trained in Pratham’s pedagogy, and supplement the work of government teachers to maximize student performance.

Remedial Program

• In 2010-11, our partnership with state government continues for the remedial programs in 4 districts: Haridwar, US Nagar, Tehri & Uttarkashi, covering over 21,500 children. The program aims to improve learning outcomes in basic math and reading by recruiting volunteers to provide extra, focused attention on children in need of remedial support. Pratham provided its unique materials and training for these volunteers, tracking learning outcomes throughout the program to ensure that all children lived up to Pratham’s fundamental goal: “Every child in school… and learning well.”

English Program

• Pratham also ran a special English-language partnership program with SSA Uttarakhand, including teacher training, volunteer training and compensation, and Pratham’s child-friendly materials, targeted at girls and scheduled castes and tribes in the poorest regions of the state.

Bal Patrika

• A child magazine was jointly developed by Pratham and SSA to provide fun, accessible supplementary reading materials on a quarterly basis to schools across Uttarakhand.