Read India

Read India is the premier program for teaching underprivileged kids the fundamentals.

Since 2007, our flagship program has been addressing a tremendous need.

Findings of our 2005-2006 ASER study indicate that the enrollment and learning levels of Indian children are still much too low. Read India is helping to change this by teaching reading, writing and basic arithmetic skills to children in the 6-14 age group. Its objectives are:  

• All Std I children at least know alphabets and numbers
• All Std II children can at least read words and do simple sums
• All Std III-V children can at least read simple texts and solve arithmetic problems

Read India efficiently uses existing resources and systems.

Read India relies primarily on existing resources and structures. Pratham teams mobilize and train schoolteachers, anganwadi workers and volunteers. While the schoolteachers work inside their schools, volunteers and anganwadi workers work with children and their mothers outside school. At the higher level, we have partnerships with over 11 state governments for the implementation of the program.

Our 2008-2009 study indicates Read India is already producing impressive results.

• The campaign has reached 33 million children across 19 states
• It already covers 305,000 out of the 600,000 villages of India
• The program has mobilized 450,000 volunteers
• Over 600,000 teachers, officials, government workers have been trained
• Among participants, the number of kids able to read simple sentences has risen 20%

Pratham’s new Read India Part II program builds on the success
of Read India.

In 2010-2011 we introduced Read India II, which takes the prior model of short-term large-scale learning to the next level by establishing a longer, more sustained presence in the villages we work in. Our team commits to running the program for a continuous year in select areas. By building on the basics and focusing on higher grade-specific learning competencies, Read India II has the potential to bring about a deep and permanent impact in India.

Read India II Goals

• Create a large scale movement focused on improving 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

Read India II Impact

 
Read India II is making history, but the program needs your help to continue. Donate today.