A child that falls behind by Grade 3, stays behind.
Attainment of foundational literacy and numeracy is the ability of a Std 3 child to read and comprehend basic text and to carry out some basic arithmetic operation with Indian numerals. The ASER 2018 report states that 73% of Std 3 students cannot read a Std 2 level text while 81% of Std 3 students cannot solve questions on subtraction. Research shows that addressing these learning deficits gets only increasingly difficult as the students progress through the system, the learning gap further perpetuating inequity and economic loss. This is the crux of the foundational learning crisis.
By ensuring a strong focus on foundational learning, we hope to lay the foundation for a nation of independent readers, thinkers and innovators, allowing every child to acquire the skills needed to work toward their dreams.
Ensuring access to meaningful primary education is the least we can do but the first thing we must do, for every child.
Foundational learning first, so every child can thrive.
Imagine a world where every child has a truly equal chance to achieve their potential. That is the world we dream of. The world we hope to build.
At Madhi we believe that the foundational literacy and numeracy learning gaps among children must be eliminated over the next ten years, in order to avert a monumental crisis and societal breakdown, where schooling does not equate to learning, and education is significantly devalued.
“A problem as complex as the foundational learning crisis needs a nuanced, holistic, and empathetic approach rooted in the realities of the context.”
– Merlia Shaukath, Founder, Madhi Foundation.
