Frugal Solutions for Lasting Educational Impact
In India, the disparities among various sections of society are huge and growing every day. These gaps prominently translate into differences in multiple aspects of life, including education at the school level. Most education is still traditional, with mainly blackboard and textbook-based learning approaches and passive instructions, often adhering to obsolete ways. With these, the children are not equipped with the right knowledge, hindering their ability to advance faster in learning at higher educational levels.
However, this situation can be changed if the solutions are accessible. Various initiatives have been undertaken by the government and NGOs on grassroots levels with a major focus on being frugal to eliminate economic barriers.
According to UNICEF, frugal innovations are simply more straightforward means that are lower in cost yet outperform their counterparts without requiring expertise. They are local, driven by the challenges faced by a community, and adaptable by the majority.
Frugal Initiatives to Combat Inaccessibility of Educational Resources
Frugal innovation in education is an integral part of various initiatives across the globe, from the United Nations' inclusive and equitable quality education, which is part of its sustainable development agenda, to India's National Education Policy (NEP), which was implemented in 2023 to further address the needs of the nation's educational sector.
NEP focuses on establishing a strong connection with learning among children through reforms like promoting teaching in regional languages (using a three-language formula) for instruction. This improves concept grasping and makes learning an active activity that is fun for students, ensuring higher class participation.
This simple change in the mode of instruction, coupled with better teaching resources like Sampark Foundation's innovative digital tools, improves the learning experience by integrating audio-visual mediums with affordable materials like the Sampark Smartshala App. It is designed to align with the SCERT textbooks, guide teachers in delivering lessons effectively, and simplify teaching and learning processes.
The Impact of Frugal Innovation
"I feel like I can finally ask questions in class!"—these are the words of a student in a classroom equipped with the Sampark Foundation's innovations.
It shows that learning is not only interactive; it's also interesting when teaching methods are crafted with a focus on inculcating a healthier approach to education. It evokes curiosity and hunger for knowledge, with academic improvements as a byproduct. For instance, when classrooms are engaging, the student attendance rate rises, and parents are more aware of their child's academics, reflected in the number of school meetings they attend (approx 40% rise according to our reports) and the commitment they feel towards their children's schooling also increases.
With these factors coming together, the children taught with our tools showed a 40% improvement in Math and Science scores. This progress further becomes foundational in their personality development as it sharpens their analytical skills, fosters a deeper understanding of the world around them, and improves their problem-solving abilities.
The Journey Forward
As everyone acknowledges the deep-seated need for change in education to drive progress in future generations, it is essential to contribute actively to our community to enable it to reach every member of society.
At Sampark Foundation, we believe in 'No child should be left behind', which means actual progress is only possible when children are part of an education system that empowers them regardless of geographical, linguistic, economic, and social barriers.
Do you wish to be a partner in this change? Then take the first step by volunteering with us. Know more!