FAQs

Pratham offers answers to childhood illiteracy,
and your questions.

1. What does Pratham do?

Pratham’s mission is to ensure “Every Child is in School and Learning Well.” We founded this organization on the firm belief that education is the fundamental right of every child and no child should be deprived of this basic right simply because they don’t have access to school or resources that would enable them to realize their dreams.

2. What’s Pratham’s goal?

It’s to make a large-scale improvement in children’s learning levels. In doing so we are decreasing their likelihood of dropping out of school and improving their chances of moving on to higher levels of learning. Pratham achieves this goal through innovations in teaching and learning techniques, by using these techniques to demonstrate improvement in learning levels, by annually measuring learning levels in India’s villages, and by working directly with children who are in need of educational support in larger cities.

3. What are the programs Pratham offers?

Urban Learning Programs (These are also called Urban Learning Centers and are typically run in urban slums.)

•  Balwadi (Pre-School education)
•  Remedial classes
•  Libraries
•  Learning Support Classes

Rural Learning Programs (Also called Read India II)
A program to improve the reading, writing and basic arithmetic skills of rural children 6-14 years old.

Policy Shaping Programs

• Annual Status of Education Review (ASER)
• Pratham Advocacy (at the village, district and state levels)

Other Programs:

• Pratham Council for Vulnerable Children
• English Learning Program
• Computer Aided Learning
• Early Childhood Care & Education Centers
• Pratham Books
• Vocational Training Centers

4. How many kids is Pratham helping?

Millions. That includes about 500,000 children in 30 cities and 5 million children in 30,000 Indian villages.

5. Why does Pratham conduct household surveys in India?

Through The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Pratham annually measures the enrollment as well as the reading and arithmetic levels of children in the age group of 6-14 years. ASER is important for 2 reasons: It helps Pratham to measure the impact of its rural programs and review its strategy for achieving its goals. The survey also helps Central and State Governments in policy formulation and focus areas.

6. What are Urban Learning Programs?

Urban Learning Programs focus on increasing learning levels and reducing school dropout rates of children in urban slums and other poor areas and cities. They target “out of school“ children and “in school” children who need extra help.  These programs include balwadis (pre-schools), learning support classes, remedial classes and libraries. The program also identifies out-of-school children and enrolls them in government schools.

7. What are Rural Education Programs?

Rural Education Programs are aimed at significantly improving the basic learning levels in children from Grades 1 to 5. It also to catalyzes the Government education system through cost effective solutions. The Rural Education Program is also referred to as “Read India”, which is the flagship program of Pratham.

8. What are the goals of Read India II?

• Create a large scale movement focused on improving the learning levels of children in grades 1-5
• Target higher competencies in reading comprehension, written expression and advanced math in grades 1-5 in order to attain grade specific skills
• Enhance the training provided to volunteers and teachers to bring about changes in classroom practices

9. How many children will Read India II reach?

Read India II will cover about 4 million children in 200 districts through the Block Excellence Program (also called 100 Village Resource Program). Pratham plans to reach 4,000 children in each district over a 3-year period. Additionally, Pratham will be working with the state governments in about 100 districts in a catalytic model reaching about 1 million children.

10. How will Pratham achieve its Read II goals?

• Pratham plans to achieve its goal through the following multi-pronged strategy:
• Focus on smaller geographies within states (Districts and Blocks)
• Ensure a sustained presence in specific areas for a 3-year period to build capacity within the area
• Introduce Pratham’s CAMaL methodology in classrooms
• Invest more time and money in training volunteers through structured courses
• Lengthen volunteer engagement through “ Education for Education”
• Involve parents and communities in assessment to increase accountability of schools and teachers

11. What is a Hundred Village Resource Program (HVRP)?  

Through HVRP (also called a Block Excellence Program), Pratham seeks to run focused interventions by the block (a group of 100 villages) to make it a model for the entire district.
The program will have two components:

1. Direct classroom teaching through volunteers called Block Learning Program (BLP)
2. Training of volunteers and schoolteachers called Block Training Program (BTP)

Each HVRP is headed by a program coordinator who supervises 5 lead coordinators also called Block co-coordinators. Each block co-coordinator is in charge of 20 villages. Every Block coordinator recruits and trains 2 volunteers from each of the 20 villages. Pratham sets up learning centers and conducts classes for children in these 100 Villages. Pratham also sets up training centers at cluster levels (10 villages) to train the volunteers and schoolteachers.

12. What is a “Hundred Village Learning Program” (HVLP)?

Pratham volunteers conduct learning classes for the children in every village. The focus of these classes varies based on the learning levels in the particular district. The classes are held daily, after the school day ends and on weekends. Volunteers mobilized and trained in Pratham’s CAMaL methodology teach the children. Pratham trains these volunteers and provides learning materials (books, reading cards, etc.). These materials are published in local languages and graded according to their level of difficulty.

13. What is a “Hundred Village Training Program” (HVTP)?

HVTP has three components:

• Volunteer Training: Pratham’s learning techniques are offered as structured courses, which include training on Pratham’s CAMaL methodology. Volunteer training and teaching instruction is combined in a six-month course. Volunteers also participate in a 7 to 10 day initial training, which includes theoretical classroom instruction as well as actual demonstrations with children.
• Education for Education (EFE): EFE Training Centers will be located in every cluster (group of 10 villages) where volunteers will receive digital literacy and English language training. These Centers will also serve as interactive forums where volunteers can engage in problem-solving and sharing of best practices weekly.
• Teacher Training: Teachers will begin to learn and use CAMaL (or some variation depending on state policy) through an official government program. Where State partnerships are established, Pratham block coordinators will train teachers at cluster centers.

14. What is CAMaL methodology?

CAMaL or Combined Activities for Maximized Learning combines reading, writing, and speaking activities so that these competencies develop simultaneously. Another feature of CAMaL is the inclusion of whole class activities, small group activities, and individual activities. By learning in a variety of contexts, children practice participating in large groups, teaching and learning from peers in small groups, and learning independently. Pratham believes that the use of CAMaL methodology will help children attain specific skills that will help them to complete their school education.

15. What is Education for Education (EFE)?

EFE is a structured 6 months course focusing on digital literacy and English speaking skills. This is offered to the Read India II teacher volunteers in exchange for their time and efforts they put in to teach the children without any monetary benefits. This will motivate volunteers to stay with Pratham for three full years. EFE help them to acquire marketable skills at the end of the 3-year period.

16. Why do we need a Pratham USA?

We created Pratham USA to unify the Indo-American community for the cause of creating a literate India. Here in the US we have a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness about Pratham’s educational needs in India and to mobilize resources in the to support Pratham’s programs. There are many ways we here in the US can help end childhood illiteracy and alleviate suffering in India.

17. Does Pratham host fundraising events in the US?

Pratham USA has 15 active chapters that each host their own events: Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, The Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut), Boston, Raleigh, Charlotte, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, Tucson, Denver, Austin and Los Angeles. Visit your local chapter page.

18. How much does Pratham USA raise in donations each year?

Pratham USA raised $8.4 million in contributions in 2009 and had a revenue target of $10 million for 2010. Every single donation helps underprivileged Indian children. Make a contribution now.

19. What percentage of donations goes directly to the programs in India?

Pratham USA spends 6% of its revenue on fundraising and administrative expenses. The rest of the funds raised go directly to Pratham (India), which spends 95% of its revenue on programs.

20. Why should you support Pratham USA?

Nearly 40% of the world’s illiterate children live in India. Pratham is the one organization working with them on a large scale. We reached 34 million children between 2008 and 2009. We’ve accomplished this by being an extremely effective and low cost charity. In fact, our low fundraising and administrative expenses as well as our financial health earned us a Four Star rating—the highest possible—from Charity Navigator. Pratham ’s received recognition through awards including CNN-IBN 2009 Indian of the Year and Henry R. Craves Leadership Prize in 2010. In addition, MIT Poverty Action Lab chose Pratham as one of the “Must Buys” for achieving UN Millennium Development Goals. Pratham USA is governed by well-known Indian Americans, ensuring strong governance and transparency.

21. How can you support Pratham USA?

There are many ways for us in America to support Pratham’s efforts in India. Cash or stock donations are just a few. Consider volunteering time with one of Pratham USA’s active chapters or starting a new chapter if your city doesn’t have one. Learn more here.