SSi People (India)’s Post

Here's a unique and inspiring story from India: The Story of Babar Ali: The Youngest Headmaster in the World Babar Ali, hailing from a small village in West Bengal, India, made headlines globally for his extraordinary dedication to education. At the age of nine, he noticed that many children in his village didn't have access to schooling. Determined to make a difference, Babar started teaching a few local children under a guava tree in his backyard. Word of his makeshift school spread, and soon, more children from the village began attending his classes. Despite facing challenges like a lack of resources and support, Babar remained steadfast in his mission to provide education to those who needed it the most. At the age of sixteen, Babar Ali became the youngest headmaster in the world, overseeing a school that he had built with the help of donations and community support. His school, Anand Shiksha Niketan, provides free education to over 800 students, offering hope and opportunities to underprivileged children in rural India. Babar Ali's story is a testament to the transformative power of education, determination, and grassroots initiatives. It exemplifies how one individual's passion and dedication can create a ripple effect, positively impacting the lives of countless others and inspiring communities to prioritize education and empowerment. Absolutely, here are the key lessons learned from Babar Ali's inspiring story in bullet points: - Initiative and Action - Taking initiative and acting on a vision can lead to meaningful change, regardless of age or circumstances. - Community Impact - Engaging with the community and addressing local needs can have a profound impact on society, fostering unity and progress. - Resilience and Perseverance: - Overcoming challenges and setbacks with resilience and perseverance is crucial in achieving long-term goals and making a lasting impact. - Education Empowerment: - Education is a powerful tool for empowerment and social transformation, providing opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive. - Resourcefulness: - Being resourceful and creative in problem-solving can lead to innovative solutions, even in resource-constrained environments. - Inspiration and Leadership: - Leading by example and inspiring others through actions and dedication can mobilize communities and create positive change on a larger scale.

Dalberg's insightful article, "5 STEPS TO HELP IMPROVE INDIA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM," emphasizes mentorship, community building, and collaborative partnerships in the education sector, with a focus on the potential of Edtech. The growth of both for-profit and non-profit organizations in the past decade has been remarkable, with significant efforts to address educational inequity at regional, national, and grassroots levels. Here are three key needs to be highlighted: 1. A breakthrough policy that unifies educational institutions, NGOs, and Edtech organizations to work cohesively towards common goals. 2. Platforms for open dialogues among industry experts, field agents, and school stakeholders to discuss the measurement of different inputs. 3. Tailoring product and curriculum creation processes to suit the specific needs of the regions and schools being served, rather than merely focusing on innovation for its own sake. What are your top 2 sources to stay informed about the latest in the Education Community? #edleaders #futureofeducation #learning #teaching

In the progressive era, where children are occupied with tons of content from various sources, the primary education module needs to be redefined. Meanwhile, emphasis should be placed on participation and focus on the development of higher education infrastructure. In India, infrastructural and economic constraints are immensely increasing the gap, as well as the student dropout ratio in secondary and higher education participation. Data from the UDISE+ Report 2022 convey alarming circumstances that we need to understand. Otherwise, such participation parameters reflect that India is likely to achieve universal upper secondary education by 2085. By then, our demographic dividend would be long gone, and aging would prevail. - Himalaya's Valley Educational and Charitable Trust | School Of Integrated Learning (SOIL)

🌟 Why the Kongu Region is Emerging as a Hub of Quality Education Again 🌟 The Kongu region of Tamil Nadu—home to cities like Coimbatore, Erode, Tirupur, Salem, Karur, Pollachi, and Namakkal—has long been celebrated for its commitment to quality education. Historically, this region stood out for its philanthropic approach to education, driven by visionary leaders who saw schools and colleges as a service to society rather than a business. 🎓 The Legacy of Philanthropy Kongu’s educational journey has been deeply shaped by industrial philanthropists like the PSG & Sons Charities, Ramakrishna Institutions, VLB Krishna Institutions, KPR Institutions, and Mahalingam Trusts, who transformed their industrial successes into avenues for delivering quality, affordable education. These pioneers laid the foundation for what the region is today—a center of academic excellence. Adding to this legacy are renowned educationists like the Hindustan Group of Institutions, Sri Shakthi Institutions, and SNS Institutions, who have continuously redefined the learning landscape by blending tradition with modernity. 🩺 Healthcare Meets Education Medical philanthropists such as the NGP and KG Group have extended their reach into education, ensuring that their vision for better healthcare is complemented by a focus on developing healthcare professionals through quality medical and paramedical education. 🎖️ Political Philanthropy in Education Political leaders have also contributed significantly, with institutions like Kathir College and Kalaignar Karunanidhi ensuring that no section of society is left behind in accessing higher education. 🌟 Why Students Should Throng to Kongu In the past decade, the Kongu region slipped momentarily as the focus shifted from philanthropy to commercialized 'edupreneurship.' This approach detracted from the region’s core values. However, today, we’re witnessing a resurgence as institutions realign with their original mission: to deliver affordable, quality education with outcome-based learning at its core. 🚀 Institutions in the region are now partnering with platforms like E-Box, bringing cutting-edge technology to classrooms. These partnerships ensure that students are not only prepared for the AI-driven future but also equipped to innovate, lead, and excel in a globalized world. 📚 The Kongu region offers an educational ecosystem that combines the best of: Industrial foresight 🏭 Educational innovation ✨ Affordable learning 💸 Cultural depth 🎨 From engineering and medicine to arts and business, Kongu stands ready to shape the next generation of leaders who are grounded in values and driven by vision. 🌈 Let’s stop calling it edupreneurship and return to education philanthropy. Let’s focus on building a future where education remains a service to society and a beacon of hope for all. Together, let’s make the Kongu region the go-to destination for quality education in Tamil Nadu! #KonguEducation #Philanthropy #EBox

Digital Education for Underprivileged Children in Rural India In the vast expanse of rural India, where resources are often scarce, digital education emerges as a beacon of hope, offering transformative possibilities for underprivileged children. Digital education transcends traditional barriers, providing access to knowledge and opportunities previously beyond reach. For children in rural areas, where schools may be few and far between, or lacking in resources, digital education serves as an equalizer. It breaks down geographical constraints, allowing children to connect with educational content regardless of their location. Through online platforms, they gain access to a wealth of information, ranging from basic literacy to advanced subjects, opening doors to a brighter future. Moreover, digital education fosters a culture of innovation and adaptability. By familiarizing children with technology from a young age, it equips them with essential skills for the digital age. These skills not only enhance their academic prospects but also empower them to navigate an increasingly digital world, unlocking opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. Crucially, digital education promotes inclusivity and diversity. It accommodates different learning styles and paces, catering to the individual needs of each child. In a country as diverse as India, with myriad languages and cultural backgrounds, this flexibility is indispensable for ensuring that no child is left behind. However, realizing the full potential of digital education in rural India requires concerted efforts from various stakeholders. Governments must invest in infrastructure and connectivity to ensure widespread access. NGOs and community organizations can play a vital role in providing training and support to educators and students. Corporations and philanthropists can contribute by funding initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide. In conclusion, the importance of digital education for underprivileged children in rural India cannot be overstated. It has the power to break the cycle of poverty, empower communities, and drive sustainable development. By embracing digital education, we can pave the way for a future where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Pic Credit: Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash copyright free.   

Calling all problemsolvers, critiques, entrepreneurs and citizens: Solving India’s grassroot quality education problem at scale. It seems like a clear consensus among many that India has a problem of lack of access to “quality” education. I’ve for long had a rough sketch of a potential solution, but never the time or ability to tackle it myself. Throwing it out here to welcome feedback on potential blindspots, issues, and ideally execution. If there ends up being any merit in the idea - anyone is free to go run with it. The problem: The poor and rural folks in India often lack quality education access due to multiple factors, which govt schools dont fully address. The bottleneck areas: Infrastructure, facilitators (teachers) and awareness / willingness. India’s / Human DNA - What’s in it for me? (WIIFM) The proposal: Infra: Most educational institutions - schools and colleges have campuses partly or fully unitilized in non-operational hours. Utilize them for afternoon / evening classes. WIIFM for schools: Govt subsidies on utilities for all operations Govt: Incentivize schools n instts to take part in this via top-down guidelines WIIFM: The states / govt to implement this gets tremendous positive publicity —> +ve public sentiment Facilitators: a) India has a HUGE and growing educated, retired population (empty nesters) who are by nature eager to engage with kids and from a generation that are often good teachers. b) College students eager to add that “social volunteer” point on their CV and also in some cases add real value. They do have enough time to spare a single hour daily WIIFM: The elderly barely need an incentive as the end result is enough motivation, for the students govt recognized volunteer work is a solid CV point if real change isnt Many of these retired folks are also looking at ways to “fund” the education of the underprivileged but dont have enough transparency. Direct involvement allows them to identify potential and give them special attention and support. Awareness - Will need campaigns in concentrated rural / poor / undereducated areas. Volunteers as well as govt support along with existing NGOs. Incentive for parents to send kids to these programs in some form. Curriculum design - There is enough curriculum with regular education boards but additionally corporates and Edtechs could be incentivized to do part pro-bono help where needed - replicating wouldn’t be as hard. Biggest problem - who executed all of this? This will surely need a collaboration across NGOs, corporate CSRs, individuals and much more. But ideally it starts at the top with a govt mandate / support - which then incentivizes the rest of the chain. Opening this up for all kinds of feedback and possible execution in some form when it gets to that stage! Because the collective intelligence of humans will likely always beat that of AI.

As we witness significant transformations in the education sector of India, it’s an exciting time to reflect on the strides being made and the challenges that still lie ahead. The recent National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has ushered in a wave of reforms, emphasizing holistic, inclusive, and accessible education. This policy aligns well with our vision at ThinkZone, where we believe in empowering communities to support their children’s learning journey, even in low-resource settings. One of the most noteworthy developments has been the increased recognition of the role of parents and community members in the educational ecosystem. Our home-based learning program, PRAKASHAK, has demonstrated that parents, irrespective of their educational background, can significantly contribute to their children's academic progress. This shift towards parental involvement is crucial, especially in developing foundational skills among children. By continuing to support and encourage parental involvement in children's learning especially at a policy level, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed, regardless of their circumstances. #EducationForAll #ThinkZone #NEP2020 #Parents #HomeLearning Central Square Foundation The Learning Agency Fondation Botnar

Recent #heatwaves and other extreme weather events have been forcing school closures in Bangladesh, highlighting the need for a more #adaptable and #resilient education system. Following #NextGenEdu's recent community gathering, penned this #OpEd to discuss the pivotal questions of inclusivity, technology and adaptability in strengthening Bangladesh's education system, incorporating insights and experiences shared by educators and practitioners. #Education #Bigquestions #ClimateChange #FutureofLearning MD. Zarif Rahman MD. AHSAN NAHIYAN Maliha Munawara Mamun

Strategies to implement to improve Literacy rate in Andhra Pradesh State of India. Improving social and educational infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh requires multifaceted strategies that address gaps in quality, accessibility, and inclusivity. Given Andhra Pradesh’s relatively low literacy rate (66.4%) and social development challenges, here are some targeted strategies that could drive progress: ### 1. **Strengthening Rural Education Access**   - **Mobile Learning Units**: Establish mobile schools or e-learning buses in remote and rural areas to provide education resources and training for both students and adults who cannot access formal schools easily.   - **Digital Infrastructure**: Expand internet and digital classroom access in rural schools by partnering with private sectors and government schemes. The National Digital Literacy Mission and Digital India campaign can provide support, enabling online courses and teacher training programs.   - **Community-Based Learning Centers**: Set up community centers that can offer informal learning, vocational skills, and adult literacy programs, engaging local NGOs and community leaders to boost literacy and employment opportunities. ### 2. **Promoting Quality Teacher Training and Retention**   - **Continuous Professional Development**: Introduce ongoing training for teachers in new pedagogical methods and digital literacy, especially for rural educators. This could be achieved by creating teacher training hubs that provide regular workshops and refresher courses.   - **Incentives for Rural Posting**: Provide financial incentives, career advancement opportunities, and adequate housing to encourage teachers to work in remote areas. This strategy can help address the rural-urban divide in educational quality. ### 3. **Infrastructure Upgrades for Schools and Healthcare**   - **Basic Facilities in Schools**: Improve the provision of clean drinking water, sanitation, electricity, and hygiene facilities in schools, which is critical for maintaining student health and attendance. Partnering with CSR initiatives from local businesses could help fund these facilities.   - **Health and Wellness Clinics**: Develop on-site healthcare clinics in schools, or mobile health vans that serve clusters of schools, to address health issues that may prevent regular school attendance. Healthcare infrastructure improvements would also support community health and well-being, essential for a conducive learning environment. To be Continued...

In a rapidly changing world, education stands as our guiding light of hope, offering transformative power for all. The United Nation's (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) serve as a moral compass, guiding us towards a more sustainable and equitable future for humanity and our planet by 2030. The UN's SDG #4 "Quality Education", emphasises the importance of inclusive and equitable quality education, promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all . As 2030 approaches, urgent action must be undertaken to ensure that every single person receives the education they deserve without discrimination based of race, gender, ability and location. Each individual should be given equal access to education by eradicating all barriers to quality education. This can be done by incorporating education and ICT. As educator each sector should work towards promoting academic success and by offering quality education. #moulding4workclass2024 #moulding4workchallange2024 #moulding4work Global Youth Forum Omondi Peter Oghenemine Uloho Kevin Okello Taifa Teule Network Ashdown Onyango Aaron J. Eagles Charity Kerubo Moses Muema Alfonce Micah Yano Hillary Odero TSC