Blogs - India Literacy Project

Schools as Multi-Dimensional Learning Space – Need

While the need to improve quality of education at Government Schools seems intuitive, I still think it would be good to see some numbers to make the point. Intuition can sometimes be inaccurate and looking at the right statistics and figures numbers are important to ascertain intuitions. As you read this, you will come to realize (if you haven’t already), the magnitude of the problem and the underlying issues that I feel are the core reasons why on quality of education is important.

Schools as Multi-Dimensional Learning Space – Genesis

I am pretty excited to start this series of blogs on one of the most interesting projects of my life. This is a project that focusses on improving quality of learning in Government schools especially in rural India. The goal of this project is to create a model that is replicable, holistic, low cost and easy to implement. Through these articles, I will articulate what we attempted to do, our collective learning and my own experiences. While the blogs are being written by me, I am documenting our collective learnings as a team. The success of the project is because of the team working behind it and not one person. Personally, its been a enriching experience to work along with such a dedicated and passionate team.

2016 Events

An Evening for Literacy – ILP Annual Dinner, Oct 15,2016
- “An Evening for Literacy” – ILP Annual Dinner on Saturday, Oct 15th, 2016 at 5.30PM, at Crown Plaza Palo Alto, US
ILP Partners Meet Aug 3-5, 2016
- India Literacy Project’s Annual Partners Meet is being held in Bangalore, India between Aug 3rd and Aug 5th, 2016. The event is a great platform for all

Anything is possible

When we entered the class of 60, which consisted of 6th, 7th and 8th graders, we were a bundle of nerves. All of us were volunteering from ILP to help SSA and IRCDS conduct a summer camp for the children of brick kiln workers. The main aim of the camp was to motivate children from various age groups to continue schooling as well give them a reason on why education is so vital for all of us.

2015 Events

An Evening for Education – ILP Chennai Dinner, Nov 21, 2015
- Join us to celebrate “An Evening for Education” at India Literacy Project’s Chennai Chapter first ever dinner on Nov 21^st 2015. Network with other patrons, listen to accomplished speakers and hear about ILP’s programs that are transforming the lives of many people. With your support we can create a greater impact.
An Evening for Literacy

The Excesses of Helping Out Mom and Dad

The headlines read, “Construction booms as India heads towards a Global Industrial Giant Status.” But behind this construction is the pitiful plight of the back breaking labor of thousands of brick kiln workers and their children. By its very nature, work in brick kilns is seasonal, – December through August, and 90% of its labor pool are migrant workers from neighboring areas (source districts). Workers pledge their labor and get an advance of Rs. 45,000-70,000 from middlemen, at the time of employment. Brick kiln workers usually stay inside their work places for the entire season (7-8 months) and work around 12-14 hours per day, including 7 hours of nighttime work. Bonded labor is not uncommon in this line of work.

2014 Events

ILP Annual Dinner – Oct 11th, 2014
- “An Evening for Literacy” – ILP Annual Dinner on Saturday, Oct 11th, 2014 at 6PM, at India Community Center, Milpitas.
ILP Youth – Talent Show – Sep 20th, 2014
ILP Youth – Photo Contest – Aug -Jan 2015
Evening of Entertainment – Tamil Comedy Drama with Y.G. Mahendra, June 7th 2014
Race For Literacy – May 18th,

A Visit to Schools in Jharkhand Villages

Are we trying to solve a problem with another problem? So it appeared to me when I recently visited schools in some of the remote Jharkhand villages with a group of India Literacy Project (ILP) volunteers. As we drove past extensive paddy fields, we enjoyed the lush green landscapes and monsoon rains. On the first day, we stopped by six villages in Lohardaga along with our partner NGO LGSS, led by Mr. C. P. Yadav and his staff. The entire NGO team is highly committed to improving the education scene in the Kairo block of Lohardaga district.

Learning to learn values

For quite a few months, I have been dwelling on this thought on how to teach values to children (through ILP’s MDLS program we work a lot with High school children and hence that was the focus area). No, I am not an epitome of good values which gives me the right to teach someone values (by the way, no one is an epitome of values and nobody should teach values and I will come to that in a bit), but I couldn’t think of an alternate word for it back when I was thinking about it. I knew values were not about good or bad or right or wrong and I had my own perspective on it, but somehow, it was neither topic enough to engage children nor was it a universal thought… it was just my take on life.

This is no ordinary 71%

Second PU results came out last week. One of the girls, Pragati , supported by ILP scored 71%. Everyone at ILP was extremely happy at the achievement. Even NDTV came over to cover her as part of their series on education. Surprised? And wondering why a girl, who scored 71% marks, became this significant, when the first rank student in Karnataka probably scored 98% or more.

10th Standard results of our ‘Puraskara’ students

Tenth standard results came out last week and this year (2012-13), 9 students of our ILP Puraskara scholarship program appeared for SSLC and their results have been heartening and inspiring. We had a 100% pass percentage with 3 First class, 3 Second class and 3 pass class. Irrespective of their ranks and distinctions their accomplishments are important for all of us because all these children have done themselves proud against all odds.

Increasing enrollment rates – “Anugoonj Education Program”

The Anugoonj Education Program, jointly organized by Mahila Samiti and ILP is showing encouraging results with increased enrollment and consistent attendance in the Chhatarpur District in Madhya Pradesh.Mahila Samiti is an NGO (non-government organization) committed to the empowerment of women and children in the Chhhatarpur District in Madhya Pradesh. India Literacy Project (ILP) has partnered with Mahila Samiti since 2009, working together in 9 villages in the Bijawar block of Chhhatarpur District.