About the Pratham
Pratham Education Foundation (‘Pratham’) is an innovative learning organisation with a mission of “Every Child in School and Learning Well”. Almost 30 years ago, Pratham’s work began with pre-schools in the urban slums of Mumbai. Today, Pratham has grown both in scope and geographical coverage. Currently, Pratham has activities in 23 states and UTs and implements programs that include activities for preschool and elementary school age groups, dropout girls and women as well as vocational skilling programs for youth. As one of the largest non-governmental organisations in the country, Pratham focuses on high-quality, low-cost, and replicable interventions to address gaps in the education system.
The mission to improve the quality of education in India and ensure that all children not only attend but also thrive in school is being accomplished by working in collaboration with the government, local communities, parents, teachers, volunteers, and civil society members. Our programs aim to supplement rather than replace governmental efforts. They are implemented on a large scale to not only reach as many children as possible, but also to enable an adoptable demonstration model for governments and other partners. For more details, refer to pratham.org
About ENABLE Program
Acquiring foundational skills in the early years is critical for children to be ready for future curricular expectations and to pursue lifelong learning. While all children have varying degrees of vulnerabilities, children with disabilities disproportionately face significant systemic, socio-economic, and cultural barriers, putting them at great risk of being left behind in acquiring foundational skills.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises the fundamental importance of universal foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN). But, children with disabilities face significant barriers hindering their acquisition of foundational skills. In India, an estimated 7.8 million children and young individuals had disabilities in 2019. Alarmingly, a large proportion of them do not attend educational institutions, and 45% struggle to attain foundational literacy.
ENABLE (Equity in Accessing Numeracy and Basic Literacy Education) is a key multi-pronged initiative of Pratham, in collaboration with USAID, to strengthen inclusive care and education, with a focus on children (3-9 years) with disabilities. The key objectives of the program are:
- Raise awareness among caregivers and communities about developmental delays and the needs of children with disabilities.
- Enhance the capacity of Anganwadi instructors to detect developmental delays early on and implement appropriate interventions.
- Equip Anganwadi workers and early grade teachers with the skills and resources to assess the learning needs and progress of children with disabilities, and to employ tailored and inclusive teaching-learning strategies.
- Empower caregivers to provide effective learning at home.
- Foster a shared understanding and sense of urgency regarding the needs of children with disabilities and the systemic barriers hindering inclusive education.
- Drive technological innovations that facilitate access, participation, and learning for children with disabilities.
Role Overview
We are seeking a motivated Research Intern to join our team. This internship offers a unique opportunity to conduct in-depth research and contribute to shaping policy recommendations and program designs to improve the education and care ecosystem for children with disabilities (CwDs). The role includes tasks such as analyzing government structures, documenting inclusive classroom practices, and drafting actionable insights for policymakers.
Key Responsibilities
- Government Stakeholder Research
- Identify and analyze government stakeholders and functionaries involved in CwD care and education at various administrative levels (village, block, district, state, national).
- Map roles, responsibilities, processes (e.g., planning, communication, review), and challenges faced by stakeholders.
- Develop a visual Government Stakeholder Hierarchy/Function Map.
- Investigate intersections and overlaps between various agencies.
- Case Study Development
- Create three case studies titled “A Day in an Inclusive Classroom" from the perspectives of instructors, children, and caregivers.
- Observe inclusive classroom practices to document best practices and areas needing improvement.
- Policy Recommendations
- Prepare a research-based report on government stakeholder functions, challenges, and opportunities for convergence.
- Draft recommendations to improve access and reduce barriers for children with disabilities.
Deliverables
- A Government Stakeholder Hierarchy/Function Map (Visual Representation).
- Three case studies on inclusive classrooms from the perspectives of instructors, children, and caregivers.
- A policy recommendation document focusing on accessibility and barrier reduction for CwDs.
Who We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate should be passionate about promoting inclusion and education for all. They must possess excellent research, analytical, and writing skills, with a strong ability to document and interpret qualitative and quantitative findings.
Qualifications
- Pursuing or completed a degree in Education, Social Work, Development Studies, or a related field.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English; knowledge of Hindi or regional languages is a plus.
- Familiarity with issues related to disability and inclusive education is an advantage.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
Support Provided
- Access to organizational resources, relevant personnel, and secondary data.
- Guidance on research methods, stakeholder engagement, and case study development.
Duration and Location
- Duration: 60 days (Full time Internship role)
- Location: Delhi, Safdarjung. (This role requires travel to intervention sites, with a minimum of three full working days in Mumbai, Nashik, Bhopal, and Mandideep.)
Perks
- Certificate of Internship.
- Letter of Recommendation (based on performance).
Application Procedure
To participate in the process, kindly fill and submit the Google form.
Note: We sincerely appreciate your interest and the time you have taken to apply. Given the high volume of applications, we regret that we may not be able to respond to each applicant individually. Rest assured, we will be in touch with those who are shortlisted. We deeply value your understanding and patience regarding this.
