Pratham

Pratham is an innovative learning organization created to improve the quality of education in India. As one of the largest non-governmental organizations in the country, Pratham focuses on high-quality, low-cost, and replicable interventions to address gaps in the education system. Established in 1995 to provide education to children in the slums of Mumbai, Pratham has grown both in scope and geographical coverage. Pratham means “first” in Sanskrit. True to its name, it is the first major organization to achieve lasting, large-scale success in India’s educational landscape. Pratham works in collaboration with the government, local communities, parents, teachers, volunteers, and civil society members. The organization seeks to reach as many children as possible, while creating a replicable model for state governments. Pratham’s strategies reconfigure teaching methodologies, break down traditional tactics, and challenge the rote learning mechanisms used in Indian schools. In its early years Pratham developed innovative teaching-learning methods, materials, and measurement techniques. In 2005, Pratham pioneered a nationwide school survey that has had a major impact on national and international policy discussions.Working  directly with children and youth as well as through large-scale collaborations with government systems, Pratham programs reach millions of lives every year. Pratham’s Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach has demonstrated proven impact.