About ILP
INDIA LITERACY PROJECT (ILP)
ILP is a non-profit, development support organization dedicated to the cause of literacy in India. It was founded in 1990, in the USA, by an enthusiastic group of Non-Resident Indians, who passionately believed in the goal of a one hundred percent literate India. Our vision is to empower every individual with functional literacy and an understanding of their rights and responsibilities.
OUR APPROACH
ILP serves as a catalyst to eradicate illiteracy. We do this by forming meaningful partnerships with voluntary organizations that work towards the goals of total literacy. We provide capacity building and financial support to these organizations working in rural areas, urban slums and remote tribal communities. ILP supports both adult literacy as well as children's education programs towards achieving our goal. Currently ILP supports 15 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in 7 states. Last year around 10,000 women and children benefited through these initiatives.
Functional Adult Literacy
ILP supports functional literacy initiatives that enable adults to develop their full potential as human beings and to learn appropriate skills to enhance individual capacity and productivity. Initiatives that seek to empower rural women are given higher priority.
Bridge Courses, NFE classes and 'Balwadis'
A large number of children drop out of school or are never enrolled. With its focus on preventing illiteracy, ILP supports 'bridge programs' that are designed to ensure that children of primary school age enter 'formal' schools in the shortest possible time. Non-Formal Education (NFE) classes that cater to the older children are also supported. With the understanding that pre-school education increases retention and improves performance, ILP also supports ' Balwadis'.
Strengthening Main Stream Education
NGOs can play an important role in improving the quality of learning in government schools, thus preventing drop-outs and low levels of literacy. ILP supports programs such as para-teachers in schools, remedial teaching for first generation children and initiatives that mobilize the community to take active ownership of the governmental schools.
Innovative Schools and Low-Cost Formal Schools
Alternative schools that experiment with new curriculum, and models of both 'formal' and 'non-formal' methodologies, are supported on a case- by- case basis. ILP also supports a few low-cost formal schools in tribal areas, slums and those catering to certain under-privileged sections of the community, and areas where there are no schools.