SPRINT
SPRINT (Supporting Primary and Middle Schools in Nurturing Talent) is Asha's longest-running initiative, launched in 2004. Today, we operate in over 180+ schools across Tamil Nadu, 20+ schools in Uttar Pradesh and 5 schools in Maharashtra.
SPRINT was originally conceived in 2003-04 as a whole school support program. Initially we were primarily addressing teacher shortages in government schools. The program began by placing regular teachers in under-resourced schools. In addition we were also augmenting the stationery and other teaching materials at the school, providing mats for children to sit on, bringing holistic education through support for school functions, taking children for excursions etc. In 2014, this expanded to include computer teachers, who not only teach computer science but also use carefully curated open source digital content and Asha developed content to enhance learning in other subjects. Post-Covid we started partnering with KaradiPath to bring their award winning contents to teach spoken English for primary school children.
Through SPRINT, Asha works closely with schools to help improve the overall quality of education by strengthening teaching, supporting students and creating engaging learning opportunities
At a Glance
Across Tamil Nadu
Schools Supported
Schools
What SPRINT Does
Through SPRINT, Asha works closely with schools throughout the academic year to improve the overall quality of education by providing comprehensive support to students, teachers and schools.
Schools are primarily about teaching the students. We provide teachers to teach various subjects at schools. Where possible, we also provide the curriculum they teach.
Asha teaches Computer Science in all SPRINT-supported schools through an activity-based 8-year curriculum that develops digital literacy, computational thinking and problem-solving skills. Our computer teachers also use innovative digital resources to teach mathematics, English and science.
In schools with a low teacher-student ratio, Asha appoints additional teachers to work alongside government teachers, ensuring students receive the attention and support they need.
In collaboration with KaradiPath, Asha runs the Easy SLL programme to improve English language skills. The programme is currently active in 100 SPRINT schools.
Where there are gaps in government support to schools, we step in to fill the gap.
We supplement government stationery supplies with good-quality notebooks, pens and geometry boxes. We also provide paper, chart paper, maps, picture charts and other essential teaching materials that schools and teachers need.
Blackboard surfaces and paint need regular upkeep. We repaint blackboards annually at all schools supported by Asha to maintain usable classroom learning spaces.
We provide mats, sports materials, cupboards, fans and other classroom essentials. We also undertake occasional infrastructure work at schools.
Schooling is more than education. Schools shape children into responsible adults who build relationships and develop skills beyond the classroom.
Throughout the academic year, schools celebrate national, cultural and sports events such as Independence Day, Pongal and Annual Day. We support these activities, helping children develop public speaking, dancing and singing skills.
We give children opportunities to visit places such as beaches, zoos, Mahabalipuram and museums, helping them experience the world beyond their textbooks. These trips are among the experiences children remember and look forward to most.
When funding allows, we provide an additional set of uniforms to children in Asha-supported schools, supplementing the uniforms provided by the government.
SPRINT hosts events such as Asha Impressions to broaden student exposure and provide a platform for children to showcase their projects, creativity and learning achievements.
Orthogonal Initiatives
Several of our Initiatives augment the work we do with SPRINT.
Asha Chennai has developed Asha Kanini , a platform that enables teachers to easily access best in class digital content aligned with their lesson plans. We also create our own resources, such as digital lesson plans, to fill gaps where existing content is insufficient. The platform is network, OS and language independent. It is available in Tamil, English and Hindi for Tamilnadu and UP curriculum.
Through the Sugadharam program, we take up infrastructure work at schools. These are mostly building new or repairing old toilets at schools. We also occasionally take up repairs to leaking roofs etc.
Oral and Written assessments are conducted in English, Maths and mother tongue in all our SPRINT schools. Further we also conduct CS assessments for 5th, 7th and 8th std students. This provides information for the teachers to evaluate their own progress. We also collect sociological data about the school and the students which enables statistical analyses to understand the factors that affect education.
We also run several libraries. These often function paired with a school that we support through SPRINT. The librarian in these cases may come to the school and conduct the library class and give an opportunity for the children to read and also take home books. Arogyam program functions in the poorest hamlets. We augment the nutrition for the students by providing Sundal, a protein rich snack in the evening and also conduct 1 hour of after-school tutoring.
Asha Chennai takes teacher training very seriously. For more than 2 decades we have been conducting the RightStart, a 5-day residential teachers training in May in the IIT Madras campus. For the last 5 years we have also been organising RightStart-CS, a 3-day residential training for CS Teachers conducted in Thiruvallur during the Winter holidays.
Asha Impressions
Two Asha Impressions events are held every year. During the Asha Impressions held in April 2025, we received over 800 project submissions from 120 schools across Thiruvallur, Thiruvarur, Thiruvannamalai and Chennai. From these, 31 outstanding projects were selected to participate in the Asha Impressions held in Chennai.
Finalists had the unique opportunity to present their work at the Central Lecture Theatre, IIT Madras. Students brought their ideas to life through poems, songs, dance, experiments, storytelling, handmade models and even acting. The judges were thoroughly impressed, making it incredibly difficult to choose the winners.