The In- School programmes are designed to teach children basic literacy and numeracy, which are critical foundational skills on which most of the other learning is based. They are conducted mainly in government schools and address children who are not learning well.
The interventions are designed based on the "ground level" insights, that have been acquired by working for over a decade with the elementary education sector in Karnataka, to bring about a sustainable improvement in learning of language (English & Kannada) and Maths in Lower Primary Schools (Standards 1 to 5). To achieve this:
Innovative teaching aids and pedagogies have been developed
Teachers and other academic staff have been trained
Education management systems that are responsible for ensuring the quality of learning have been improved
Akshara Foundation's approach is to demonstrate the efficacy of these interventions in pilot implementation (usually covering entire block or at times even a complete district to demonstrate scale related aspects) and then use advocacy to get these adapted into the government delivery system across Karnataka. The ongoing programs include:
Oduve Nanu: This programme aims at teaching Kannada language skills using a set of stories designed with careful content. The teaching materials include sets of illustrated story cards, alphabet charts and alphabet cards. A fortnightly assessment monitors the child's progress and keeps the programme on track.
Swalpa English, Thumba Fun: Swalpa English, Thumba Fun is an introductory English programme. This programme emphasizes spoken English while also introducing students to entry level reading and writing skills. A carefully designed curriculum progressively introduces English language from familiar and simple language skills to relatively complex skills using rhymes, games and conversations. The teaching materials includes a teachers manual, work books, flip charts and flash cards. Akshara Foundation trains and supports capacity building of teachers to effectively deliver this program.
Nagu Nagutha Ganitha: This programme is focused on improving the math skills in lower primary classes by making learning fun and relevant to everyday life. This is an activity based method, where concepts are taught using concrete tools like the counting board and number grids, focusing on children and helping them see, do, learn, and hence, comprehend mathematics. This programme is suitable as both remedial as well as support programme in maths. Akshara Foundation provides a math kit with teaching materials, teacher's manual and work books.
All children who are part of Akshara's programmes are assessed and the results of the programme are available on www.klp.org.in
