India Literacy Project 2024 Review

India Literacy Project (ILP) is at a crucial point in its journey to improve education in India. On one hand, we are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, which severely disrupted learning, especially for young children. On the other hand, we are on the edge of a technological revolution, with AI offering new and exciting ways to transform education.

The pandemic hit early education particularly hard, with children in government schools falling behind by nearly two years. In response, ILP’s dedicated “Vidya Saathis” (Friends of Education) have been working hard to close this gap. They run after-school sessions in community spaces, called Village Learning Centers (VLCs), to help children catch up. This grassroots approach has been crucial in reversing learning loss, especially in areas with limited resources.

Early Childhood and Foundational Learning

Over the past 3+ years, ILP has:

  • Set up VLCs with help from the community.

  • Hired local volunteers (Vidya Saathis) to teach the children.

  • Trained Vidya Saathis to improve children’s reading and math skills in grades 1 to 5.

  • Used fun, activity-based learning with special workbooks and materials.

  • Assessed children’s progress using proven methods like Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) tool and Pratham story cards.

  • Worked with school officials to get children back into school.

Partnership with Pratham for Teaching Methodology

ILP has adopted the child-centered method called TaRL (Teaching at the Right Level), which focuses on learning outcomes rather than a child’s grade or age. It uses the right tools, stories, and activities to help children learn simple words, read, and write. Over the next 3 years, Vidya Saathis will be fully trained in the TaRL method.

Strides in Advancing STEM Education

STEM education is more important than ever, especially in India, a rising hub for technological and scientific innovation. ILP has established a robust STEM ecosystem, including:

  • Digital content for teachers and students.

  • ICT (Information and Communication Technology) program for computer training.

  • Lab in a Box Science Kit, providing over 150 hands-on experiments for grades 5 to 10, culminating in engaging science fairs.

Our STEM programs are being scaled through government initiatives in Karnataka. In Tamil Nadu, ILP launched the ILP-IITM Electronics Kit Program in collaboration with IITM to provide science and electronics education for ~350,000 students across the 38 districts of Tamil Nadu.

The Future and AI

AI is starting to change the education sector, presenting both challenges and opportunities. For AI to work well, it must be used carefully and thoughtfully. It has the power to:

  • Improve curricula.

  • Offer personalized learning experiences.

  • Identify where help is needed in the education system.

ILP is using AI to create tools that teachers can use to make lessons more engaging and help students learn new topics. ILP’s career guidance chatbots help students explore their interests and learn about different career options.

We’re also exploring AI-driven job simulations, giving students hands-on experience with different skills to make informed career decisions before entering the workforce.

We see the great potential of AI in education and are excited about its role in the future. As India moves forward, it’s crucial that all children, regardless of background, have access to the incredible opportunities available today and tomorrow. ILP’s goal is to build a student-centered education platform that ensures equal access and opportunities for all students, bridging gaps and empowering children with the skills they need to succeed in a technology-driven world