In the Lalitpur district in Uttar Pradesh, Central India, UNICEF have been supporting a “Quality Education Package” which has been implemented an all 874 primary schools in the district.

During 2004-2006 UNICEF spent US $600,000 on teacher training and classroom supplies, including creative workbooks, desks and sports kits, meant to transform local schools. The result is that today the Lalitpur model is being scaled up by the state government in all 70 districts of the state with a financial commitment of US $63 Million to provide quality education to all children.

In a state like Uttar Pradesh, that is beset with age-old traditions and chained by social taboos that act as barriers and discourage education, especially for girls, it is often difficult to convince parents that education is an essential element of a child’s growth.