
British Council collaborated with Digital Empowerment Foundation to pilot its ‘English and Digital for Girl’s Education (EDGE)’ programme in India. Before implementing the project on ground, a two day training session was conducted on 14th and 15th January by EDGE representatives at DEF headquarters. This interactive training programme was facilitated by Deepali and Gayatri from British Council and was attended by CIRC representatives from ground and from the headquarters. These were Regional Coordinator Yusuf, trainer Juber, trainer Deepak and trainer Akram from Alwar network of CIRCs, Coordinator Shamsher and Trainer Rahul from the Delhi network, and Chitra, Monika, Irfan and Jayanti from DEF headquarter. Project implementers were given thorough orientation in to the programme and training on how to work with the content material as well as how to deliver activity based learning for students at their respective centres.
The course programme was then launched on 20th January in five CIRCs namely Wazirabad and Kapashera in Delhi and Mungaska, Bahadurpur and Chandauli in District Alwar of Rajasthan. Designed especially for adolescent girls aged between 13 to 17 years, the course programme is geared with the concept of ‘learning English with digital tools’ and adopts peer-learning format.
With interactive tools such as flashcards, DVD and games, the curriculum not only helps girls in improving their English language skills, but also in learning how to work with computers.
After successful implementation in Nepal and Bangladesh, the programme all set to make positive impact on India’s rural. The project aims to bring down the gender divide and open doors to greater employment and livelihood opportunities for adolescent girls by providing them with access to English language and digital skills. The project aspires to bring about overall behavioral change in the society. This will consequently contribute to the prevention of early and forced marriage, a serious human rights violation, by means of social and economic empowerment.