The purpose of this grant is to engage Pakistani CBOs, PTAs, SMCs, PTCs and TIJs to promote a culture of reading in Pakistan by supporting local communities to promote reading culture in communities and primary schools.

• Grant Size: up to - $2000
• Duration: 3 months
• Target Recipients: PTAs, SMCs, PTCs, Student and/or Teacher Groups.

Thematic Areas for Small Grants Program

Theme 1:    Summer/Winter Reading Camps/Schools and Other Reading Events
 
The purpose of the theme is to facilitate in minimizing “summer/winter learning loss” of children from low socio-economic and having fewer literacy practices.

Indicative Activities
Innovative strategies to address summer/winter reading loss, including, but not limited to, summer/winter camps or summer/winter schools and complementary activities, such as other reading events (e.g. fairs, storytelling) and provisioning of reading materials (e.g. book fairs).

Theme 2:    Tutoring
 
The purpose of the theme is to facilitate ‘struggling readers’ to improving learning outcomes.
 
Indicative Activities

• Identification of struggling readers using teachers’ classroom assessment results.
• Gearing of these identified readers towards nearby tutoring options and exploration of a community-based volunteer model.

Theme 3:    Reading Events to Promote Parental Engagement
 
This theme will help in engaging parents in school activities in order to facilitate children learning and development skills.
 
Indicative Activities

• Providing opportunities for parents to be part of school based activities.
• Facilitating parents in enhancing their capacity to facilitate children at home.
• Devising strong coordination mechanism between schools and parents.  

Theme 4:    Gender
 
The purpose of the theme is to create an environment of safety, equity and equality for both girls and boys in schools and in the community.

Indicative Activities

• Sensitization of teachers and parents on equity and equality for both genders
• Provision of unbiased teaching, learning and development materials
• Exploring impact of existing practice and resources in determining gender equity and equality
• Promote a culture of tolerance and boost the concept of safe (girl friendly) schools.

Theme 5:    Children with Special Needs
 
The purpose of the theme is to establish an environment in and outside of schools conducive for learning and development of children with special needs particularly Dyslexia (reading disability), Children with Hearing Impairment and Children with Visual Impairment.
 
Indicative Activities

• Enhancing capacity of teachers in dealing with children suffering from dyslexia, hearing impairment and visual impairment.
• Mobilizing parents to deal with children with above stated special needs
• Sensitizing policy makers and line department managers in establishing an environment conducive for learning and development of such children.