The charitable arm of American conglomerate General Electric has pledged $1.6 million in aid to the school education programmes run by Pratham, an NGO working for the education of children from weaker sections of the society.
The grant will allow young adults, especially women, complete their secondary education and improve their employment readiness through the schools run by Pratham, besides aiding the organisation's Read India campaign in which these students will teach elementary-age children aged 3-14.
"We are pleased to be working with Pratham on this two-pronged approach that enables young women to 'earn' their education and training as GE Fellows, and in turn enlists their support to advance primary grade students' learning," said GE Foundation President Bob Corcoran.
According to Pratham's Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), while the efforts of government have ensured 97 percent enrollment at primary levels, the sub standard teaching has kept the drop-out rate high. The rate is even higher in secondary education, especially amongst women.
Dr. Madhav Chavan, CEO of Pratham Education Foundation, said, "This is a new innovation in delivery of education for us and we are grateful to the GE Foundation for continuing to support us strongly in our endeavors."