Language should never be a barrier to learning—yet for many children in government schools, especially those from waste picker families and migrant backgrounds, navigating multiple languages in the classroom presents a significant challenge. To address this, our partner Bal Raksha Bharat, collaborated with the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) Karnataka to develop curriculum-based bilingual dictionaries for students in grades 1-5 and 6-8.
These Kannada-English dictionaries serve as a critical tool to enhance language comprehension, helping children improve their efficiency in reading and understanding key subjects such as languages, mathematics, science and social studies. By providing clear definitions, pronunciations and contextual usage, the dictionaries ensure that children, particularly from marginalised communities, have access to quality learning resources that support their education.
Photos by: Vinod Sebastian
PHOTO STORY
In a diverse state like Karnataka, where lakhs of children from migrant families from across the country depend on government schools, language barriers often hinder their ability to grasp lessons. Many struggle to understand both Kannada, the local language, and English, while teachers face challenges in catering to students from varied linguistic backgrounds.
The newly launched bilingual dictionaries provide a simple yet impactful solution, helping children learn new words in both their mother tongue and English—making education more inclusive and effective.
The bilingual dictionaries were officially launched on December 24, 2024, at the DSERT Conference Hall, Bengaluru. The event was attended by key leaders from DSERT, Karnataka who highlighted the importance of the initiative and its potential for reaching students across Karnataka; Samagra Shikshana, Andhra Pradesh, who shared insights from Andhra Pradesh’s experience in implementing bilingual dictionaries; and Bal Raksha Bharat, who emphasised that simple solutions can create a major impact for children’s education.
With nearly 180 educators, subject experts and policymakers in attendance, the event reinforced the importance of innovative tools like bilingual dictionaries in strengthening foundational learning for students from diverse backgrounds.
The bilingual dictionaries will initially be piloted in 100 government schools before expanding to 400 primary schools under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) programme, centrally sponsored scheme by the Government of India. The long-term vision is to integrate these dictionaries into curriculums taught in classrooms across Karnataka, ensuring that all children—including those from waste picker families—receive the support they need to succeed in school.
At Saamuhika Shakti, we believe that every child deserves an equitable learning environment. By bridging language gaps, this initiative brings us one step closer to a future where education is truly accessible for all.
Language should never be a barrier to learning—yet for many children in government schools, especially those from waste picker families and migrant backgrounds, navigating multiple languages in the classroom presents a significant challenge. To address this, our partner Bal Raksha Bharat, collaborated with the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) Karnataka to develop curriculum-based bilingual dictionaries for students in grades 1-5 and 6-8.
These Kannada-English dictionaries serve as a critical tool to enhance language comprehension, helping children improve their efficiency in reading and understanding key subjects such as languages, mathematics, science and social studies. By providing clear definitions, pronunciations and contextual usage, the dictionaries ensure that children, particularly from marginalised communities, have access to quality learning resources that support their education.
Photos by: Vinod Sebastian
PHOTO STORY
In a diverse state like Karnataka, where lakhs of children from migrant families from across the country depend on government schools, language barriers often hinder their ability to grasp lessons. Many struggle to understand both Kannada, the local language, and English, while teachers face challenges in catering to students from varied linguistic backgrounds.
The newly launched bilingual dictionaries provide a simple yet impactful solution, helping children learn new words in both their mother tongue and English—making education more inclusive and effective.
The bilingual dictionaries were officially launched on December 24, 2024, at the DSERT Conference Hall, Bengaluru. The event was attended by key leaders from DSERT, Karnataka who highlighted the importance of the initiative and its potential for reaching students across Karnataka; Samagra Shikshana, Andhra Pradesh, who shared insights from Andhra Pradesh’s experience in implementing bilingual dictionaries; and Bal Raksha Bharat, who emphasised that simple solutions can create a major impact for children’s education.
With nearly 180 educators, subject experts and policymakers in attendance, the event reinforced the importance of innovative tools like bilingual dictionaries in strengthening foundational learning for students from diverse backgrounds.
The bilingual dictionaries will initially be piloted in 100 government schools before expanding to 400 primary schools under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) programme, centrally sponsored scheme by the Government of India. The long-term vision is to integrate these dictionaries into curriculums taught in classrooms across Karnataka, ensuring that all children—including those from waste picker families—receive the support they need to succeed in school.
At Saamuhika Shakti, we believe that every child deserves an equitable learning environment. By bridging language gaps, this initiative brings us one step closer to a future where education is truly accessible for all.
