Celebrating 30 years of transforming education: The journey of Pratham
This year marks a momentous occasion for Pratham as we celebrate three decades of empowering children, youth, and women through education!
What began as a modest effort in 1995 by co-founders Dr Madhav Chavan and Farida Lambay to bring education to underprivileged children in Mumbai has since grown into one of India’s largest and most impactful education NGOs. Reaching millions of children across India with innovative learning solutions and evolving into a global movement for learning and opportunity.
With a vision to ensure every child has access to quality education, Pratham partnered with local communities to establish preschools and remedial classes, unlocking doors to learning for children who needed it most and has since expanded to communities across 20 countries!
Innovation and impact: The pillars of Pratham
True to its name—“first” in Sanskrit—Pratham has been a pioneer in transforming education. The organisation is renowned for its innovative, evidence-based solutions to some of the most pressing learning challenges. Central to this success is the groundbreaking ‘Teaching at the Right Level’ (TaRL) methodology, which meets children where they are in their learning journey, grouping them by learning level instead of by age, which helps them master essential reading and maths skills at their own pace. TaRL has been so successful in India that it has now become a global model, adopted by countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America to bridge learning gaps and ensure foundational skills for all.
Pratham’s impact is also amplified by its Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), India’s largest citizen-led household survey that assesses the quality of primary education and learning for children in rural India. This influential report provides invaluable data to policymakers and stakeholders, driving systemic change and enabling millions more to benefit from effective educational practices.
Through extensive government partnerships, Pratham has scaled its reach, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond its origins. From local communities in Mumbai to global networks, Pratham’s innovative programmes and scalable models have redefined education, ensuring lasting change for millions.
We have garnered global recognition, including prestigious awards such as the Asia Game Changer Award, the BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award, and the Yidan Prize for Education Development, among others. Yet, the true reward lies in the millions of lives touched and transformed over the past three decades.
Introducing the Yellow Dot Campaign
As we continue our milestone birthday celebrations, we’re excited to introduce our Yellow Dot Campaign! Over the past three decades, millions of individuals—staff members, donors, government officials, supporters, volunteers, and beneficiaries have helped shape Pratham’s journey and mission and each yellow dot symbolises every one of us whose contributions, big or small, have collectively built Pratham into what it is today.
The campaign will feature a series of events, stories, and activities to highlight Pratham’s journey and the inspiring individuals who make our mission possible. Join us as we look back on our achievements and step forward into the next chapter of our story!
As we celebrate 30 years of impact, we invite you to be part of our journey. Together, we can continue to break barriers, bridge gaps, and build a brighter future for generations to come.
