A total of eighteen projects were submitted, showcasing the diversity and global impact of Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy (BEL) efforts. Submissions ranged from early childhood to adult education and special needs literacy programs.
Judges
- Carol Vizzard (UK) – Implementing a local BEL project
- Glen Brown (British Columbia, Canada) – Award winner from last year
- Brenda Parsons (UK) – Co-Chair of BELRAG Literacy Awards
- Carol Marcotte (ME, USA) – Chair of BELRAG Literacy Awards
Rotaract Winner: The Remote Access Community Hotspot for Electronic Learning (RACHEL) in Panama
Launched by the Rotary Club of Playa Coronado (supported by Utah Rotary Clubs) in mid-2021. RACHEL systems were installed in six schools (Coclé and Panama Oeste Provinces). Teachers received professional training on RACHEL and digital learning from a facilitator from World Possible, Guatemala. Rotarians and Rotaractors (including local teachers) ensured effective implementation and conducted pre/post-implementation data gathering.
Launched by the Rotary Club of Playa Coronado (supported by Utah Rotary Clubs) in mid-2021. RACHEL systems were installed in six schools (Coclé and Panama Oeste Provinces). Teachers received professional training on RACHEL and digital learning from a facilitator from World Possible, Guatemala. Rotarians and Rotaractors (including local teachers) ensured effective implementation and conducted pre/post-implementation data gathering.
Rotary Winners
Adult Learning – Adult Literacy Initiative in West Bengal
The Rotary Club of Calcutta Mahanagar, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Taipei Prosperity and 14 local NGOs, is implementing a large-scale BEL initiative (Global Grant No. GG-2459210 and CSR support). The project provides foundational literacy and numeracy training to 14,720 adults across North and South 24 Parganas and Howrah Districts. The curriculum focuses on enabling adults to navigate daily life and assist their children with homework, blending literacy with practical skill-building.
Literacy Alive – Reading Rescue Post Pandemic Intervention
Literacy Alive! (founded by the Rotary Club of Red Deer) has made transformative progress in Belize schools. For over a decade, the club has collaborated with the San Ignacio Rotary Club and Alberta vocational teams to deliver professional development and literacy coaching. The initiative specifically addresses literacy losses following pandemic-related school closures, fostering sustainable improvement through capacity-building.
Empowering Rural School Children – Bangalore
Implemented under Global Grant No. GG-2341990, this project strengthens English proficiency among 1,800 students across 60 rural schools in Bangalore. Partnering with Pratham Mysore, it trains 60 teachers in the Teaching at the Right Level (TARL) methodology and employs 12 Cluster Resource Leaders. The two-year cycle (Basic English/Advanced English) is complemented by new libraries benefiting 4,800 children. This Global Grant is the 9th literacy-focused project under this initiative, having cumulatively served over 1,422 schools and 143,193 students.
