A key factor in securing higher-paying employment is education. Education allows children to communicate clearly, encourages gender equality and contributes to the development of a society that empowers every individual.
According to reports, a minimum of 35 million youngsters between the age of 6 and 14 do not attend school. Girls between the age of 5 and 9 have an illiteracy rate of 53%. Only 53% of people residing in rural areas of India have access to a primary school. Only 20% of them go to a secondary school.
To break this cycle, The Akshaya Patra Foundation – one of the leading NGOs in India, that supports food and education of children, runs various programmes. Here are the main initiatives that support the education of children who come from families with low income.
PM Poshan Abhiyaan (previously known as Mid-Day Meal Programme)
The Akshaya Patra Foundation serves hot and nutritious lunch to 2 million government school children every school day through the PM Poshan Abhiyaan (earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal Programme), across 14 States and 2 Union Territories in India. These meals are prepared and distributed from its kitchens spread across 65 locations.
For over 21 years, the Foundation has worked towards alleviation of classroom hunger, encouraging marginalised children to get an education and aspire for a brighter future. When you donate to feed the children, these meals act as an incentive for children to attend school every day. Thus, increasing attendance and enrolment rates. The meals also encourage them to continue their education.
With a passion to teach
Student: Sonali Shyamdev Vasi
School: Panvel Mahanagar Palike School Number 2
Region: Panvel, Raigad, Maharashtra
When she grows up, Sonali Shyamdev Vasi dreams of becoming a Mathematics teacher. She says that parents and children look up to teachers as role models and this respect is very motivating.
“Teachers are well-respected and adored by parents in Marathi homes. I want to teach and be the teacher who will never lets down students. I want to teach because I want to support children within and outside of the school with the resources they need to succeed,” she says. Sonali continues by saying that her parents are happy that she receives a nutritious diet each day, which is why she was enrolled in school.
AVSAR Scholarship Programme
Investments in higher education are seen as the development of human resources that will result in the overall growth of local communities and the country.
The AVSAR Scholarship Programme seeks to give financial assistance to deserving scholars for postsecondary education. Thereby, giving them the chance and resources to sculpt a better professional path. Additionally, this effort seeks to reduce dropout rates and support the aspirations of low income children.
A doctor of tomorrow
Balakrishna B,
MBBS Student, Raichur, Bangalore
Balakrishna B is pursuing 4th Year MBBS in Navodaya Medical College, Raichur, Karnataka.
His mother is a homemaker while his father is a daily wage worker. “I chose to study MBBS because my aim since childhood was to become doctor. When I was in PUC and started studying biology, I was fascinated by the subject. I wanted to cure diseases and help people who cannot afford expensive treatments,” says Balakrishna.
He says that his dream of becoming a doctor would not come true without Akshaya Patra’s AVSAR scholarship. He also adds that the school meal served by Akshaya Patra as part of its Mid-Day Meal Programme has greatly helped him stay motivated in school and focus on his academics.
Digital Education Programme
In an effort to further the goal of giving government school children the access to high-quality education outside of a traditional classroom, Akshaya Patra has partnered with an educational technology firm. The Digital Education Programme is a part of the Foundation’s flagship National Endeavor for Student Transformation (NEST) campaign, which collaborates with the public school system to bridge the digital gap between children from underserved communities, enhance quality of education and foster an environment that enhances exceptional learning outcomes while also making school fun.
This programme gives students the access to digital devices and a digital learning environment with carefully selected content. In the first phase, students were given a tablet, a digital learning programme and access to the internet. Beneficiaries are chosen for this programme based on how well they perform in school.
A lawyer in the making
Student: Aishwarya
Course: PUC 1st Year
Institute: Government PUC College, Yediyur, Bangalore
When the nationwide lockdown was announced in March 2020, schools across the country decided to shift their mode of teaching and learning from classroom environment to online. Aishwarya, never imagined that she could continue her education in this scenario. She missed almost two years of classes as nobody had a smartphone and internet connection at home. But her sheer determination to not let obstacles slow her down, helped her score good marks in her 10th Boards.
She is now in PUC 1st Year and wants to be a lawyer. She says that the tab given to her as part of Akshaya Patra’s Digital Education Programme will now help her study better. With the Foundation’s initiative, Aishwarya can fulfill her dream of becoming a lawyer.
Only education can provide thousands of underprivileged children in India the chance to realise their full potential. Your involvement opens up access to high-quality education to create a better future. Every kind deed, no matter how great or small, counts!
Help children achieve their dreams.