Akshara Foundation

A non-profit organization, Akshara Foundation works to improve learning outcomes in the pre-primary and primary school systems. Area of Intervention Ganitha Kalika Andolana (GKA) is Akshara’s flagship program combines a strong pedagogical framework with a technology based assessment and monitoring system. This is a scale-up program to enable primary grade children to get better understanding of the concepts of Maths Key Geography Karnataka and Odisha

Need for the initiative Problem • Poor understanding of the basic concepts of Maths among students studying in government primary schools • Children fear the subject - resulting in low learning outcomes Situation Before • Students were unable to comprehend the basics during class sessions • Lack of exciting and colourful teaching aids Intervention

Overview

Ganitha Kalika Andolana (GKA) is Akshara’s Math model designed as a support programme for students and teachers in government primary schools to bring proficiency for children in Grades 1-5. It focuses on improving math skills by making learning fun and relevant to everyday life and is taught based on the philosophy of ‘Activity based learning’

Steps • Introduction of innovative Teaching

Learning Material(TLM) Kit for Mathematics in the classroom to encourage group learning Three-day training program to make primary school teacher competent Proper monitoring and assessment of the implementation of program

Resources

Efficient workforce for execution of the program and development of TLM When implemented for at least 5000 schools and 300,000 children in each phase, the cost is below Rs 100 per child per year for three years

Impact and Key learning

Achieved so far

GKA has a footprint of over 12,500 government primary schools and over 600,000 children in Karnataka An increase in learning outcomes for basic concepts has been observed in targeted schools

Key Learning • To make the program successful, partner with the government and community and ensure their involvement in the program from the beginning • Make good use of the data that is generated by the program and share it with all key stakeholders in the government