Literacy Program

Room to Read’s Literacy Program works with teachers, schools, government officials and communities to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children. We have not only contributed significantly to improving children’s reading abilities but have also maintained a continued inquiry in the field of literacy education. Based on extensive field experience and scientific research, a Comprehensive Literacy Approach has been designed that ensures that children become independent and fluent readers. This is done through combining the “science” of learning with the “magic” of love of reading in an enabling environment.

In the four states of Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana, Room to Read implements a Library Program, where the focus is on inculcating reading habits in children, particularly in early grades.  The comprehensive literacy model being implemented in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand has explicit instruction component in grades 1 and 2 and provision of school library for children of grades 1 to 5; the objective here is to ensure that children read with fluency and comprehension by the end of grade 2.

Room to Read’s Book Publishing Program publishes age and developmentally appropriate story books for children of early grades (grades 1-5). These books are colourful and attractive with high quality illustrations and design., and in the local languages. These story books are designed to fill in gaps in availability of children’s literature in the market.

Girls’ Education Program

Room to Read India’s Girls’ Education Program (GEP) ensures that school going adolescent girls in grade 6 to 12 from economically disadvantaged communities, complete secondary school and have the skills to negotiate key life decisions. The program provides participants with life-skills education, family-school-community engagement, mentoring support and targeted material support through direct implementation and partnership programs with state governments.  The program is being implemented in 7 states of   Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttarakhand benefitting 48,812 girls.

Life Skills Education (LSE) is central to the Girls’ Education Program goals.  We believe that when girls have life skills, they can more effectively negotiate life decisions, including the decision to stay in school, and standing up for a gender equal world. The program is designed to provide girls with life skills training, mentoring and need-based material support, along with advocacy for girls’ education among parents, school staff and communities. It is a long-term, holistic approach of going beyond academics to build the key skills that girls need to make informed life decisions like critical thinking, negotiation and self-confidence.