TodaysNetworkNews: 03 September 2009 - World Bank: With help from the World Bank, India's Education for All' movement is trying to get all children to school, including millions of the poorest and most marginalized.
Indias Education for All movement is trying to get all children to school, including millions of the poorest and most marginalized. With the help of the World Bank a new generation is learning in new ways that include better buildings, new methods, and a whole lot of fun.
Gone are the desks. And gone are the times when teachers lectured from the blackboard with the class repeating aloud. Now kids learn in small groups. They help each other, and interact. It is called activity-based learning - a method now used in almost all of the forty thousand primary schools in Indias Tamil Nadu state.
The education system there has become a model in India and abroad. And it is showing results: Above all, children like coming to school.
SOUNDBITE (Tamil) Praven Khumar, Student:
When I was in first grade, I did not like to go to school. But with the new system we have fun and we are also learning. Now I can read the newspapers all by myself.
Activity-based learning is part of Indias ambitious Education for All movement. Initiated by the central government in 2002, the program is implemented by the states and supported by the World Bank and other donors. It is all about getting children into school, improving the quality of education and narrowing the wide gender and social gaps.
Many Indian children are now going to school for the first time. Some of the poorest are learning English, allowing them to compete with more advantaged students from private schools.
SOUNDBITE (Tamil) Manimeklai, Student
The way we are learning now is very different. Now we understand what we are studying. Before the teacher just lectured and asked questions. But they did not know whether we learned something or not. All they said was go and study.
Not long ago primary school children would move to the next grade regardless of their progress. Some ended up without being able to read and write in their own language after four or five years at school.
Today, teachers encourage children to ask questions. They learn at their own pace and according to their abilities. Playing and having fun are part of the schedule and increase the confidence and creativity of children.
SOUNDBITE (Tamil) Mary Premalatha, Teacher, Corporation Primary School in Chennaiss Manjakollai District:
We are very happy because none of the children leaves the school without knowing how to read and write. For us this is an educational revolution. And it is all about making sure that they wont leave here unless we know for sure that they are ready.
More than fifteen million out-of school children have already been enrolled, far more than was expected, especially among girls. Now it is all about making sure that they are prepared to go to the next level.
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