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Primary Education - India's
Biggest Challenge !
Education is one of the key antecedents for the socio-economic
development of an emerging economy. India faces an impending
crisis in the area of primary education. Various estimates
indicate that, in the primary school age group, there are
about 70-80 million children (which is more than 50% of all
Indian children in this age group), who are either not enrolled
in schools or are in school but not learning and will eventually
drop out.
The Pratham Movement
The Pratham Movement (www.pratham.org), an inspiring coalition
between community members, corporate leaders, academics, members
of the local and central governments, NRIs and qualified professionals
from the corporate and non-profit world, has spread to 26
centers across 9 states in India since 1994 to address the
problem of children being out of school and not learning.
Goal
Pratham's goal: Every child in India
in school…and learning well…by 2010.
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In an environment that is mentally stimulating and physically
attractive.
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With teachers who are committed, dedicated, skilled and
happy and are able to teach children not only the essentials
of reading, writing and arithmetic but also good living habits
including personal hygiene, clean and healthy environment
and respect for other people, their beliefs and their properties.
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Within a community that cherishes children and provides its
best for children's care and development.
What We Do?
1) Pratham serves underprivileged
Indian children through five main programs.
Balwadi Pre-School Program
for 3-4 year olds from low-income families.
Balsakhi Remedial Education Program that provides support
for the weaker municipal primary school children.
Bridge Course targeting children who have never been
to school or dropped out. Objective being to enroll them in
schools.
Outreach Program for working children, child labor
and children in conflict with the law. Objective again being
to get them enrolled in schools.
Computer Assisted Learning Program that strives to
familiarize municipal school children with computers.
2) Each
program unit has an average of around 20 children and instructors
are high school educated young women from the local community.
Classes are held in municipal schools, space provided by the
community or at the teacher's home.
3)
Pratham does not itself build schools
but strives to strengthen existing government school system.
What Makes Pratham Work?
1) Simplicity: The Pratham
model is simple to implement and easily replicable. No immovable
assets are acquired unless a donor specifically requests and
the need is clearly established. Administrative costs are
kept low. Every attempt is made to reduce overheads as much
as possible
2) Unique
volunteer work force: One of Pratham's greatest
achievements has been its success in mobilizing thousands
of community women, across India, to take charge of the educational
needs of their community. Pratham's young female volunteers
exhibit an amazing and infectious 'can do' attitude, which
truly is what Pratham is about. These young women mobilize
their entire community to take responsibility for their children's
education.
3) Cost
effectiveness: Pratham spends in the region
of Rs. 500 /- (USD 10) per annum per child. Given the
extensive network of Pratham in the slum areas, it is easy
to layer other services (health, computer education) at a
minimum additional cost of delivery.
Achievements
From a humble start in the slums of Mumbai in 1994, Pratham
has grown to 10,000 volunteers in 26 centers across 9 states
in India, reaching out to over 200,000 children. To date Pratham
has reached out to over a million children.
Support and Recognition
1) Corporations
ACC, BILT, British Gas, Grasim, Hindalco, HPCL,
HSBC, ICICI Bank, ICICI Security, IPCL, Jay Pee Industries,
McKinsey & Co., Nicolas Piramal (I) Ltd., Oswal Chemicals,
Punj Lloyd, Reliance Industries, Rhone Poulenc (I) Ltd., Shamken
Multi Fab Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank, Vinmar International.
2) Foundations
Azim Premji Foundation, HPS Foundation, American
India Foundation, Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan, Paul Hamlyn
Foundation - UK, CIDA - Canada, NOVIB - Netherlands, Save
the Children -UK, UNICEF.
For further information on the Pratham Movement please
visit www.pratham.org
For further information on Pratham India Education Initiative
please contact Mr. Ujwal Thakar at umthakar@yahoo.com
or Dr. Madhav Chavan at madhav_chavan@pratham.org
For further information on Pratham in the United Kingdom please
contact Tulsi Naidu at tulsi_naidu@yahoo.com
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