The U.S. Government, in collaboration with Sesame Workshop India Trust, inaugurated the Learn Play Grow program at the American Center in New Delhi to commemorate International Education Week. This initiative, a partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Sesame Workshop India Trust, aims to improve early childhood education and health practices for young children and their families throughout India.The program features engaging learning sessions led by popular Sesame Street characters such as Chamki, Elmo, and others, with a focus on developing essential skills in literacy, numeracy, and hygiene for children in the states of Rajasthan and Telangana. Furthermore, the introduction of digital content in Hindi and Telugu will broaden the program’s accessibility, reaching millions of families across the nation.
U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti conveyed his excitement about the initiative, remarking that the launch of Learn Play Grow represents a pivotal advancement in the educational partnership between the U.S. and India. He emphasized that by providing educational and health resources directly to children and families, the program makes early learning both engaging and accessible. He also noted that investing in initiatives like Learn Play Grow is crucial for supporting India’s young learners, ultimately contributing to the development of brighter futures and strongercommunities.
Ambassador Garcetti emphasized the significant role of USAID in advancing India’s educational objectives, which encompass the establishment of gender-inclusive classrooms, assistance for children with disabilities, and the provision of multilingual educational resources. This initiative reflects the U.S. government’s dedication to ensuring that education is accessible to all, with a particular focus on girls and marginalized communities. The Learn Play Grow initiative, which is centered around play-based learning, is set to be launched in more than 1,000 Anganwadi Centers located in the Baran district of Rajasthan and the Bhupalpally district of Telangana. This program aims to involve between 20,000 and 25,000 children and their families, while also extending its reach to millions more through the availability of digital content associated with the initiative.
