In a classroom full of eager learners, many children cannot read, write, or express themselves. They stare at words they don’t recognise. They hear a story but can’t comprehend its meaning. They remain silent, unable to articulate their thoughts.
Our recent literacy test at three government-funded schools revealed harsh truths:
- Most struggle to speak English or form basic sentences.
- Half cannot decode simple words, making reading difficult.
- Even when they read, comprehension remains weak.
- Writing is the biggest challenge, leaving them unable to express ideas.
These are eight-year-olds already falling behind. They come from low-income families, where their parents work as housemaids, fishermen, and unskilled daily wage labourers. Books are scarce, learning support is minimal, and English is often taught in Malayalam (their mother tongue), making phonics and fluency even harder.
Here’s the more significant issue: Reports confirm that 63.7% of Grade 2 children in Kerala’s schools cannot read simple English words. Our results validate this crisis at the grassroots level. If children don’t master foundational literacy early, their struggles will grow—widening the gap between them and their peers.
At EmpowerEd Foundation, we refuse to let these numbers define our children’s future. Our literacy program for Grade 3 children builds oral language, decoding, fluency, comprehension, and writing—the fundamental skills they need to thrive.
Every child deserves the power of words, the joy of reading, and the confidence to express themselves. This is why we do what we do.
Join us in rewriting their future. Literacy is not just about reading—it’s about opportunities, empowerment, and breaking the cycle of poverty.
