Since its inception in 2004, the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) scheme has targeted Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) where female rural literacy was below the national average and the gender gap in literacy was more than the national average. Most girls who arrive in the KGBV system have either never attended primary school (Classes 1-5) or have dropped out of formal education. Consequently, when starting Class 6, many girls have minimal literacy skills in Hindi and no literacy skills in English.

The British Council and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Uttar Pradesh in partnership with UNICEF established the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) project in 2017. This project aimed at working with 746 English teachers and impact over 7460 learners per year in KGBV schools across the state. 

The aim of the project was to develop teachers’ English proficiency and encourage them to use more learner-centred approaches in their classrooms in order to develop learners’ exposure to the language and active involvement to improve learning outcomes.

Objectives

The project aimed to: 

  • develop the English language confidence and proficiency of 746 English teachers of classes 6-8 in KGBVs via the cadre of 48 master trainers (MTs)
  • develop the skills of 746 English teachers of classes 6-8 in specified learner-centred approaches and 21st-century skills
  • make a range of resources and activities available to the teachers and build their awareness of the benefits of CPD to boost their skills, knowledge and classroom practice. This includes giving them opportunities to develop their English language proficiency through self-access resources and development of their autonomy as lifelong learners.

Key activities

  1. Scoping study: data from teachers, Head teachers and students was collected from 42 KGBV schools across 17 districts to investigate the main areas of English language teaching and learning for the project to develop. The purpose of the study was to ensure that our project activities reflect and address the requirements of English teachers and learners in KGBVs in UP. 
  2. Materials development: the British Council India team and an international expert co-developed a twelve-day trainer training workshop for MTs and a ten-day teacher training workshop for KGBV English teachers, developed specifically for the teachers’ needs and context
  3. Selection of master trainers: 124 applicants applied to be a KGBV MTs out of which 92 were shortlisted for interview and 48 were selected based on their spoken English proficiency, pedagogical awareness, motivation and availability
  4. Master trainer training: a five-day training workshop was delivered in Prayagraj to enhance their understanding of English language pedagogy and develop their training skills to effectively train the KGBV English teachers
  5. Teacher training: master trainers delivered training to the KGBV English teachers in Prayagraj, to introduce them to student-centred teaching, and each teacher was provided with a pack of English teaching resources to take back to their school
  6. Monitoring and Evaluation: Observations of master trainer trainings were conducted explore the KGBV English teachers’ engagement and learning. Classroom observations were also conducted for the teachers to evaluate the effectiveness of the master trainer trainings.

Impact

The project has developed a cadre of 40 trained master trainers and 553 teachers in the Uttar Pradesh KGBV system.  

What our stakeholders say

The training was received very positively. Participants were extremely motivated, enthusiastic and determined to be part of the UP-KGBV teacher development project. Majority of them were regular with their attendance and were also willing to wait back beyond the scheduled training time to complete some sessions/activities.  – British Council Training Consultant

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