River-Rishi Valley Institute for Educational Resources

The Rishi Valley Institute for Educational Resources (RIVER- Krishnamurti Foundation India) manages the development, implementation and dissemination of the multi-grade multi-level (MGML) methodology and the operations of village-based primary level schools. RIVER aims to address the pressing needs of the local and bottom of the pyramid communities of learners across the country and world.

In most developing countries, there are a large number of multi-grade single-room primary schools. Teachers, forced to adopt a uniform textbook directed strategy, are unable to address individual needs; students become alienated and teachers demoralized. Ultimately millions of children suffer in these schools leading to low levels of learning and high dropout rates.

Learning under the MGML system creates a joyful experience for both students and teachers. Classes are arranged in vertical groups. Students work at their own pace using the ‘RIVER LEARNING LADDERS’. These ladders are linked to a series of activities such as language games, math puzzles, science riddles, folk festivals and theatre games which enable students to learn from local examples and real life experience.

RIVER has its campus in Rishi Valley located in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India. The target beneficiaries of this program come from underprivileged backgrounds and are in the primary school age range. In addition to managing the operations of its laboratory schools throughout the year, RIVER hosts designer’s workshops for groups from around the country and world interested in implementing the MGML methodology. Teacher, resource person, government official and NGO groups work with RIVER personnel during these workshops. According to the UNICEF Desk Report, 2013 the MGML program covers ‘over 250,000 primary schools across the country and more than 10 million children in over 13 states. RIVER works closely with international university partners, NGOs and government agencies to enhance the MGML model and increase its worldwide impact.