Bihar

Bihar is the second most populous state in India, with just over 10% of the country’s population, and holds more than its share of the country’s problems. With a high proportion of the population living below the poverty line, Bihar has the lowest literacy rate among the major states of India.

Despite these challenges, Bihar has witnessed a paradigm shift in the field of education. In the past few years, the proportion of out-of-school children has dropped dramatically; the government has engaged in a large-scale teacher recruitment drive; and much attention has been focused on the improvement of school infrastructure. Pratham, over the past four years, has participated in program design and execution of Sankalp, Bihar’s flagship program to enroll all children in primary school.

The educational picture in Bihar is dismal, with only 38.5% of population literate.

Working both alongside government and in community-based volunteer programs, Pratham will continue to play a key role in education in Bihar through the various programs below.

Read India

Working in 19 districts across Bihar, Pratham volunteers are conducting daily classes for grades 1 to 5 in government schools. Pratham also trains “tola sevaks,” government workers hired to focus on out of school children using Pratham’s activity-based, outcome oriented teaching methods.

Education for Education (EFE)

EFE was rolled out in 2010, providing volunteers an opportunity to expand their own horizons at the one of over 170 computer centers. EFE is a program designed to strengthen Read India by offering courses to volunteers in exchange for her contributions to the program. In the current phase of EFE, computer courses are available, while spoken English will be offered in the future.

Mother’s Literacy Program

In two hundred villages, Pratham is also conducting a mother’s literacy program, which is being evaluated by MIT’s Jameel Poverty Action Lab. In Purina, local staff organized a science fair and demonstrations in government primary schools.

Pratham Council for Vulnerable Children (PCVC)

This program is rescuing, sheltering and educating child workers and victims of abuse in four blocks (about 400 villages). Gyanshala is a general education and development program, providing academic support, sports, and skill development courses to “returned” child laborers.