Case Study on remedial education in India

Balasakhi program: An example from India

In the past 50 to 60 years India has made a progressive growth in education system.The Number of schools has grown from 2.23 lakhs in 1950 to 8.40 lakhs in 2004 and the literacy rate has been increased from 16.6%to 65%.Despite all these, there are still an estimated 42 million children out of school.
Pratham,a Mumbai based NGO with a motive of"every child school and learning well "has experimented with ongoing support throughout the year.Pratham is also in charge of hiring and monitoring the balsakhis.

Following are the features of balasakhi:

1.As the name suggests balasakhi means friend of children.She/He will be more familiar and closer than the teacher.

2.As there are only few students in the class, balsakhis take care and attention of every child.

3.An effective balsakhi help the children and make them improve in their academics.

4. Balsakhis are paid 2.5 thousands per month.

5.Balsakhis are often students who go to night colleges.

6.Balsakhis reduce the work of the teachers and are often appreciated by them.

Advantages

1.It makes students like Balsakhis self employed.

2. They gain a practical knowledge of teaching

3.Helps them build their confidence.

4.As they teach they fresh up their mind and memory power.