Nearly 50 percent of the children studying in the government schools in Karnataka have not reached the required levels of learning. That has been what the Karnataka state quality assessment organization, department of education, found out in its first state wide study of the education scenario, realized last week.

Another survey conducted by Akshara Foundation and facilitated by Pratham, the Annual survey on Education report, corroborated this. It found that in the state only one out of four students studying in classes 5 can do simple division, and only one out of two in class 2-3 can read a simple story.

In the Education scenario, it is clear that Karnataka comes below even Bihar!

"In spite of the many efforts put in the sector, and the large amount of money pumped in by way of budget and education cess, things are in a bad shape. So we decided to look at how to raise elemental levels of learning. And how to do it at a mass level and do it quickly," said Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Akshara Foundation, while explaining the new initiative under taken with the state government. "Obviously the first step to learning has to be reading and we decided to address this."

Unique formula

The Karnataka Learning Partnership is a unique 45-day formula being adopted by the state government to enhance reading levels in its schools. Facilitated by Akshara, which helped with The design of the programme, the programme is being delivered wholly by the State government.

Focusing on a technique which evolves from good old story telling, this has been tested in over 100 schools and been successful. Spurred by the success, the State government has decided to adopt it in some 1400 schools in Bangalore. Over 4,000 teachers have been trained in using the method.

"This is about exciting the children and teachers, about providing something that triggers learning," notes Rohini, adding, "we are not saying this is the only way to do it. In fact many times we see the teachers adopt the method with some modifications. We are merely the cheerleaders!"

Even now, the baseline assessments for two-lakh student are being conducted to see if they can read at the minimum desired levels. "Internationally the standard demands some sixty words per minute but if you go to some of the schools here and watch the children read, it is appalling. But we can't blame any one for this. The teachers have their job to do in terms of curriculum, etc, nor can we blame the government," Says Rohini.

"We are hoping that the programme will give some equalizing opportunities for the poorer sections through enhanced reading. Or else by the time they reach the high school their confidence is totally gone."

Analysis, benchmark

By making pre and post analysis, it is also hoped to provide some kind of benchmark, she explains, quoting the corporate saying, "what gets measured gets done." The programme is being under taken across all the government schools in Bangalore city. It will see the use of technology in that every Child's progress is going to mapped and using the GIS anyone interested can follow his/ her development.