The RightToRead Global Initiative
RightToRead India was launched in 2013 with 100 schools. The program has since expanded to eight other countries and is projected to reach 20 Million Indian students by 2020. Around the world, the program is funded by governments, NGO’s and HNI’s with a common goal of improving the quality of life for the next generation.
The initiative uses an app called ReadToMe that is developed by EnglishHelper. The app supports reading of prescribed textbooks and is undertaken by existing teachers during normal class periods. There is evidence that teachers engage with programs that aid syllabus goals and prepared students for existing examinations. The program serves to benefit both teachers and students. Student engagement enhances teacher effectiveness together with improving learning outcomes. The program adapts to local requirements. The voice used is as per accents accepted locally, it reads local textbooks and supports local vernacular word translation.
In summary, RightToRead is a program that is focused on large scale, speedy and affordable implementation of a technology-enabled reading program in public / government schools. Since its launch in 2013, the program has evolved technologically and has gained immense credibility because of consistent engagement of multiple stakeholders and the independently evaluated results.
Visit www.EnglishHelper.com for more details.
“EnglishHelper and RightToRead India have generously offered to extend this program to ALL 10,194 schools across Sri Lanka reaching 4.2 Million children”
“We learn languages in a multi-sensory way. Even before we learn to speak, we listen to sounds, relate it to everyday objects; we then move on to exposure to the written aspect — our software has been designed taking this multi-sensory aspect into account.”
Sanjay Gupta
Founder and Global CEO, EnglishHelper
RightToRead in Sri Lanka
RightToRead Sri Lanka was launched in October of 2018 with a prototype school that would showcase the benefits of the program. By February of 2019, the RightToRead team working with the Ministry of Education initiated the pilot program in 50 schools. Furthermore, a structured plan has been laid out to ensure that all Sri Lankan educational institutions will be reached by end of 2021. This Implementation model was tested out on a further 100 schools towards the end of 2019. The team at RightToRead Sri Lanka is now poised to reach the entire island’s student populous of 4.2 Million by the end of 2021.
With measured proficiency improvement of between 30-50%, and improvements in term tests of around 30% in just two terms, the project’s results demonstrate immense success.
User feedback suggests the app is highly interactive and easy to use. The student experience encourages them to participate and engage during class hours which has a positive rippling effect in the teachers’ effectiveness.
With measured proficiency improvement of between 30-50%, and improvements in term tests of around 30% in just two terms, the project’s results demonstrate immense success.
User feedback suggests the app is highly interactive and easy to use. The student experience encourages them to participate and engage during class hours which has a positive rippling effect in the teachers’ effectiveness.
“Can we afford NOT to do this?”
Priyan Fernando
Chairman, Brandix Lanka and Senior Advisor, Boston Consulting Group
Sponsor, Project RightToRead Sri Lanka
What We do
The project in Sri Lanka involves introducing a SmartBoard dedicated for English learning in every school in the country. Ten thousand, one hundred and ninety-four (10,194) government, provincial and national schools will dedicate one classroom each for English learning. The RightToRead team in Sri Lanka will then install a smartboard with the ReadToMe app installed. The local Ministry of Education prescribed English textbooks have been digitized along with local language translation. By leveraging on the ministry of education infrastructure, the RightToRead SL team will ensure that every English teacher is trained and comfortable using the smartboard to fully utilize its features. Project partners will ensure mobile internet facilities are made available at every school allowing for detailed online monitoring of ReadToMe usage.
The ReadToMe Teacher Aid
The ReadToMe software is equipped with sophisticated Text to Speech voice technology that reads given text to enable multi-sensory reading and comprehension. ReadToMe reads text aloud at a controlled rate appropriate for students. Consistent exposure enables students learn English phonics and improve word recognition. Features like pronunciation, translation, picture dictionary and voice recording make reading fun.
The software digitizes prescribed text books which would integrate with the existing teaching timetable. There is no need to change the curriculum or add content. The simple, easy to use software is merely a teacher aid. It empowers and assists the teacher to achieve their goals more effectively.
100% of your donation towards the cause
100% of you your donation will cover the procurement cost of a SmartBoard that will be donated to each school in Sri Lanka that does not have the available infrastructure. All other expensed such as admin, logistics, teacher training, maintenance and installation for all schools have been covered by the project partners and principle sponsors. The RightToRead team has also partnered with a supplier to procure a SmartBoard at approximated 750 USD. Your donation will be entirely directed to the cost of the SmartBoard.
A Sustainable Success
Along with the roll out of this project in all schools, RightToRead will ensure this project has a lasting impact on all future generations. To guarantee this success the following are some key initiatives toward a sustainable impact of this project;
- Involvement and engaging all Stakeholders at the Ministry and Provincial Ministries of Education
- Training of all Master trainers and senior teachers to ensure cascading training for all English teachers
- Installation of training facilities including ReadToMe app at all English teacher training centers island wide
- Regional English Support Centers (RESC’s) to be equipped with ReadToMe and compatible hardware
- Hardware maintenance will be funded by the project partners for the next three years
- Software and hardware training videos, user guides and manuals have been developed to be circulated.
- ReadToMe usage reports will be generated and uploaded to Ministry of Education LMS (learning management system)
- Physical monitoring by MOE Master Trainers will be ensured at Provincial Ministries of Education
- Nominated persons in charge at each of the nine provinces and ninety seven education zones will be responsible for the sustainability of the program
- All future syllabus changes and updated could be uploaded online with a push of a button at The Ministry of Education
The Legacy
The success of this project hinges on the support and participance of all stakeholders. The legacy of eventual gratification aims to equalize inequality whilst coining a society with greater arms to achieve its highest potential as citizens of this nation. For such a phenomenon of true evolution, cleansing of unjust disparity makes way for a nation that stands empowered with knowledge as its backbone.
At this juncture of transcending times, it is imperative that Policy makers, administrators, teachers and parents come together in social solidarity to ensure a brighter future for our children.
What would success look like?
- Democratic learning of English in Sri Lanka
- An equal opportunity our all children to be confident in English
- One Sri Lanka for all communities
- Opportunities for further education
- Gainful employment opportunities in Sri Lanka and overseas
- A Sri Lanka in the global arena