Education Outlook in Himachal Pradesh

• According to the most recent census, the overall literacy percentage of Himachal Pradesh was 77.13% (86.02% for males and 68.02% for females); compared to India’s overall 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 4 students could read a Standard 2 level text. Through government partnerships and volunteers, Pratham aims to make a difference.

Pratham in Himachal Pradesh this Year

• Himachal Pradesh features two intertwined variations on the Read India program at present, combining a full government partnership with an effort to bring Pratham volunteers into government schools. By working with the government in Himachal Pradesh, Pratham maximizes its reach across the state, helping children in the ‘Land of Snowy Mountains’ to succeed in school and to have fun while learning, with Pratham’s engaging, child-friendly methodology.
  
  By The Numbers: 1353 Villages, 12 Districts. 1376 Volunteers Mobilized. 15,045 Schools, 13352
  Government Teachers Trained, 767,386 Children Reached

Aadhar Program

• In Hindi, ‘Aadhar’ means foundation, and with a strong foundation in math, science, and reading, the children of Himachal Pradesh are on the path to success. Pratham partners directly with the State Government’s, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the Indian Government’s flagship elementary education program, to develop curricula, train teachers, and monitor program quality across the region. Pratham’s content team has designed workbooks for children in Standards 1-5, with materials in math, reading (Hindi), and English (curricular materials on Environmental Science are also included, created independently by the state government). These workbooks help to bridge the gap for students who are not at grade level, for whom the standard government curricula is out of reach– making school fun and productive for all children.

Samvridhi Program

• The Samvridhi program aims to boost confidence in English for students in Standards 6-8, with engaging, accessible curricula. This program is conducted in schools across the state, through the partnership between Pratham and the Himachal Pradesh SSA.

Block Excellence Program

• In addition to the Aadhar and Samvridhi programs, Pratham mobilizes volunteers in 10 districts of Himachal Pradesh to teach classes in government schools. These volunteers are trained in Pratham’s pedagogy, and supplement the work of government teachers to maximize student performance.