Central Square Foundation’s Post

Over the past 10 years, through Simple Education Foundation’s work in designing programs, support structures, and wellbeing spaces for current and future teachers, I’ve come to realise some critical truths about education in India - truths that we must urgently confront if we truly want to drive systemic change. 1️⃣ Rethinking Affordability in Education The development sector’s obsession with “affordability” has its merits, but our definitions and numbers need a serious rethink. The narrative of “$1 per child” education is outdated in a world where the cost of education for the affluent is rising astronomically. Are we inadvertently setting children from under-resourced communities up for failure by clinging to this chimaera of affordability? If we truly want equity in education, we must ask: Are our funding models ambitious enough for the realities our children face today? 2️⃣ Shifting the Blame Narrative Too often, solutions in education are not partner-centric. They start with the assumption that key stakeholders - teachers, principals, or parents - are the problem. Programs frequently come with an implicit lack of trust in teachers, presuming what they won’t do, instead of addressing the systemic challenges that prevent them from teaching effectively. What if we flipped the lens? What if we built solutions that respect, empower, and enable teachers to succeed? 3️⃣ A Narrow Obsession with Data Our fixation on certain types of data - often quantitative, easy-to-measure metrics - leaves no room for other critical methods of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL). Where is the space for qualitative insights, teacher narratives, or longitudinal studies? Are we prioritising convenience over capturing the full picture of what’s truly working in education? It’s time we stopped patching holes and started building bridges. Our children deserve nothing less. 👉 What are your thoughts on these challenges? How do we, as a sector, rethink our approaches for real systemic impact? #Education #Teachers #EquityInEducation #RethinkEducation #SocialImpact #Leadership Simple Education Foundation | Teachers For Tomorrow (India) | Teach For India | Central Square Foundation | Leadership For Equity | Language and Learning Foundation | Mantra4Change | Sanjhi Sikhiya | Peepul | Samarthya | Meraki Foundation | The Education Alliance 📷 : Acumen Academy Team | At MCD School, Arjun Nagar

We’re proud to announce the launch of the Pre-Service Collective, united by a shared mission to empower the next generation of teachers. This collaborative effort aims to bring together innovators, educators, and institutions to reimagine how we prepare teachers during their formative years. Why does this matter? In India, our future teachers are trained in institutions where the focus on pedagogy, innovation, and child-centred learning is alarmingly low. The gap between training and real-world classroom needs is vast. This has a direct impact on our children, especially those in under-resourced schools, who miss out on the transformative power of a skilled, loving and intuitive teacher. By investing in pre-service education today, we’re shaping a future where: 🔹 Every teacher feels equipped with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to create meaningful learning experiences. 🔹 Schools can become spaces of joy, curiosity, and growth for every child, irrespective of background. 🔹 We set a strong foundation for educational equity in India. What can you do? We invite you to be part of this movement - if you’re an organisation or institution keen to bring scalable solutions to life - join the collective. Together, we will: 1. Co-create innovative frameworks that support teacher trainees. 2. Build capacity in existing institutions to elevate teacher preparation. 3. Advocate for systemic changes that prioritise quality pre-service education. 🪄 REIMAGINE how the future teachers of India 🇮🇳 learn. Join the Collective. Shape the Future. [link in the comments] Because investing in teachers is investing in our children. 👩🏫👨🏫 Teachers For Tomorrow (India) | Firki - Teach For India Online | Simple Education Foundation | Prerna Kalra | Chandni Chopra | Elizabeth Samuel | Manasi Gunjikar #TeacherEducation #FutureOfEducation #PreServiceEducation #CollaborationForChange #IndiaEducation

Let’s Change the Education System Together – Free Education for All! Education is the backbone of any successful society, yet millions of talented individuals in India are deprived of quality education due to financial barriers. This is a problem that demands immediate action, and I am committed to being a part of the solution. I am proud to announce the launch of a Free Education Trust aimed at revolutionizing how education is accessed and delivered. Our vision is straightforward: ✅ Equal opportunities for every child, irrespective of their financial background. ✅ Focus on practical learning and skill development, equipping students for real-world challenges. ✅ Redefine education as a basic right, not a privilege. Why This Initiative Matters Today’s education system is plagued by rising costs and outdated methods. Students are forced to memorize rather than innovate, leaving them unprepared for the challenges of the future. Through the Free Education Trust, we aim to: 🔹 Introduce modern and practical teaching techniques. 🔹 Encourage creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. 🔹 Make education accessible to every corner of India. Join the Movement This dream isn’t mine alone—it’s a collective mission to build a brighter, more inclusive future. But we can’t do this without YOU! 💡 Mentors and Volunteers:Share your expertise and guide students on their journey. 💸 Donors and Sponsors:Help us fund this initiative and reach more students in need. 📢 Spread the Word: Share this post and tag those who believe in the power of education. Together, we can create a system where no child is left behind due to financial hardships. Let’s break the barriers and empower the next generation with free, quality education that fosters creativity, innovation, and lifelong skills. #FreeEducation #EducationForAll #TrustForChange #IndiaEducationReform #EmpoweringYouth #SkillDevelopment #FutureOfLearning Let’s make this initiative viral. Your likes, comments, and shares can create a ripple effect and bring us closer to this mission. Let’s join hands and build a brighter tomorrow!

I’m excited to announce the launch of the Pre-Service Collective—a collaborative effort to empower the next generation of teachers. We aim to bring together passionate innovators, educators, and institutions, all driven by a shared dream to re-imagine the teacher education ecosystem. Why Teacher Education? Teachers face immense and ever-growing challenges in their classrooms, yet the teacher education ecosystem remains slow to evolve. Institutions struggle to keep pace with the demands of the teaching profession, leaving teachers under-prepared and leading to lower student outcomes. This is particularly evident in schools serving under-served communities, where students miss out on the transformative impact of a compassionate, innovative, and dedicated teacher. By investing in pre-service education today, we’re shaping a future where: - Every teacher feels equipped with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to create meaningful learning experiences. - Schools can become spaces of joy, curiosity, and growth for every child, irrespective of background. - We set a strong foundation for educational equity in India. What can you do? We invite you to be part of this movement - if you’re an organisation or institution keen to bring scalable solutions to life - join the collective. Together, we will: 1. Co-create innovative frameworks that support teacher trainees. 2. Build capacity in existing institutions to elevate teacher preparation. 3. Advocate for systemic changes that prioritise quality pre-service education. RE-IMAGINE how the future teachers of India learn. Join the Collective. Shape the Future. 📌 Express your interest here to be a part of this collective here: https://lnkd.in/g4ZwRKri Because investing in teachers is investing in our children. Firki - Teach For India Online Teachers For Tomorrow (India) Simple Education Foundation Mainak Roy Chandni Chopra Prerna Kalra Anshu Arora Shreya G. Elizabeth Samuel #TeacherEducation #FutureOfEducation #PreServiceEducation #CollaborationForChange #IndiaEducation #FutureTeachers

𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 #𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰? When India gained independence in 1947, the country had only 18 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 500 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 350 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞. The stark contrast between the need for education and its availability marked the beginning of a long journey toward educational empowerment. As we commemorate 77 years of independence, it’s crucial to reflect on how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go in ensuring that every child has access to quality education. At OneLern, we believe that freedom in education is about breaking down the barriers to learning and making education accessible, engaging, and effective for all students, no matter where they are. Here’s how OneLern is contributing to this vision of educational freedom: 1. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬: Just as India has vastly expanded its educational infrastructure since independence, OneLern is working to democratize access to quality education through digital transformation. Our platform brings world-class learning resources to students across the country, bridging the gap between urban and rural education. 2. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬: The freedom to teach creatively is essential for fostering innovation and critical thinking in students. OneLern equips teachers with tools that simplify their tasks and allow them to focus on what truly matters—delivering impactful, student-centric education. 3. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Independence in the 21st century means preparing students to navigate a rapidly changing world. OneLern’s curriculum is designed to develop not just academic knowledge, but also the critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy skills that are crucial for success in today’s global landscape. As we celebrate our nation’s independence, let’s also commit to continuing the journey towards educational freedom. By embracing innovative solutions like OneLern, we can ensure that every student in India has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. Wishing you all a 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲! Let’s work together to make education the bedrock of our nation’s progress. Join us in our mission to digitally transform education and empower the next generation of leaders. #IndependenceDay #EducationalFreedom #OneLern #EmpoweringEducation #DigitalTransformation #21stCenturyLearning #IndiaAt77

Union Minister of State for Education, India Dharmendra Pradhan has recently launched TeacherApp English, an innovative digital platform designed to revolutionize #education in #India by equipping educators with future-ready skills to meet the demands of 21st-century classrooms. Bharti Airtel Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises, has developed the platform. Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Rakesh Bharti Mittal; CEO of Bharti Airtel Foundation, Mamta Saikia, dignitaries from the education sector, school principals, teachers and B.Ed. students were also present at the event. #impactinvesting #scaling #edtech https://lnkd.in/dmZjj7G8

🌍 What magic happens when passionate educators, policymakers, and champions come together in one room? 🌟 This day last month, British Council hosted What Works Hub for Global Education India Theory of Change Workshop at our office in New Delhi, where wonderful minds converged to tackle one of the most pressing challenges: transforming education for every child. The energy was electric as we dove deep into what makes sustainable educational change possible. From national assessment frameworks to last-mile implementation, we explored how evidence-informed policymaking can bridge the gap between vision and reality. What struck me most was how this wasn't just another Theory of Change discussion. It was a masterclass in coalition-building, where every voice contributed to a shared vision of educational transformation. We're not just talking about change; we're architecting it together, piece by piece. Key insights that left me inspired: ✨ The power of contextual solutions - what works in Karnataka might need adaptation in Rajasthan, reminding us that local wisdom is irreplaceable. The Theory of Change maps desired reforms, pathways to achieve them, and measurable outcomes, tailored to local contexts. 🤝 The beautiful synchronicity of top-down policy meeting bottom-up implementation. A three-step cycle—Support, Collect, Action—emphasizes collaboration across stakeholders to generate actionable evidence. 📊 How evidence generation and dissemination, when made accessible and actionable, becomes the backbone of lasting change. It is imperative to tailor findings to stakeholders' needs (e.g., policymakers, teachers) while ensuring evidence is contextually relevant and scalable. Most importantly, I witnessed the birth of something remarkable: a coalition that transcends institutional boundaries, united by the dream of excellent education for every child in India. I am grateful to the teams who joined us over two days from Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, The World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO, J-PAL South Asia, Pratham Education Foundation, ASER Centre, Central Square Foundation, Educational Initiatives, Language and Learning Foundation, Youth Impact, Busara. Stay tuned - I'll be sharing more insights from the What Works Hub for Global Education Conference later this week! Alison Barrett MBE Rachel Hinton Noam Angrist Amy Lightfoot Ian Clifford Simon Blower Gauri Puranik Michael Houlgate Judith Herbertson

Mark Your Calendars: December 4th is a Big Day for Our Learners! 🎒✨ 📢 Attention, Parents and Guardians! This isn’t just any regular school day—it’s a game-changing day for our children’s future! 📅 Why December 4th? On this day, the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 is being conducted - a national assessment that’s all about understanding and improving our children’s learning experience. It's not a test to worry about; it’s an opportunity to shape the future of education! 💡 What's Happening? On December 4th, your child might be a part of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, a nationwide sample based survey that is gathering data to help improve education across India. It’s all about learning about the learning process—what’s working, what’s not, and how to make it better! 🚨 Why Should You Care? Because the results of this survey will help create #better #schools, #better #teachers, and #better #opportunities for your child. It’s not just a “test” it’s a chance to make a real impact on the #education #system! 🎒 Here’s how you can help: ✔️ Mark the Date: December 4, 2024 ✔️ Ensure Your Child Goes to School ✔️ Encourage Them to Give Their Best By ensuring your child’s presence, you’re contributing to a more accurate and inclusive picture of how India learns. 📝 A Little Reminder for Parents: Tell your child to be truthful and honest when answering the Pupil Questionnaire. Their honest feedback helps ensure that the survey gives the real picture of what’s happening in schools and how we can improve education for all. It’s about creating a brighter future for every student in the country, and your child’s involvement is the first step! Let’s work together to make India's future brighter, smarter, and more equitable for our children. Be part of the change. 💥 #PARAKHRashtriyaSarvekshan implemented by Ministry of Education, Government of India, New Delhi sanjay kumar, #Secretary #DepartmentOfSchoolEducationAndLiteracy, #MoE Don't miss out! #PARAKHRashtriyaSarvekshan

If there is one beacon of light amidst all the doom and gloom being perpetuated everyday - is the wonderful work and passion of The Circle, and their tribe of visionaries and dreamers. It’s that well founded, and absolutely certain belief that we can change our country, and the world - by changing the way our kids learn and think. And that we can reinvent India slowly and surely by reinventing schooling. Full of purpose, extremely thorough and a master of what he does, Sandeep Rai has over the last 27 months gathered a group of like minded, passionate professionals to start The Circle- www.thecircleindia.org At The Circle- you are inspired, guided, and mentored to build the school of your dreams. Schools that will prepare every young learner to be future ready. Schools and learning environments for that are microcosms of enquiry, energy, creativity, compassion and peace. Schools that teach you to look beyond text books and rote learning. Teaching through art, music, bio mimicry, theatre, film nature, the list goes on; the possibilities are endless, and ever changing - but what is a constant though is the transformative powers of schooling ! 27 months since we first spoke, The circle has now held 4 starter programmes and 2 incubations to help doers and thinkers, conceptualise, learn, design and prototype schools and after school centers across the country for kids from lower income homes . It’s been just 2 years since they launched - but they have powered up the potential of over 21 cohorts who are now ready to change the landscape of education in this country with schools that are built or in the process of being built . The applications for their 3rd incubation programme open now - so if you’re an #educator or an #innovator or just believe in #thetransformativepowerofschools .. then apply now at www.thecircleindia.org

Teacher's Diary: There Are No Good Schools, Only Good People The Good Schools Alliance is an organisation that aims to revolutionise education by providing everyone with top-notch learning opportunities. They strive to cultivate an environment of trust and continual growth. Their main objective is to empower individuals through service, skill development, and academics, ensuring holistic growth. They've designed a curriculum and pedagogy focusing on vital skills like reading, reflection, and building solid relationships to achieve this. Here are some key initiatives and benefits of the Good Schools Alliance: - Implementation Steps: Join the alliance, pay an annual subscription, appoint a teacher champion, attend online orientations, and participate in monthly meetings. - International Partnerships: They have diverse international program partners, including prominent businesses, non-profits, and esteemed education mentors. - Transforming Education: The alliance spreads the joy of learning by empowering passionate educators, teachers, and students. - ⁠Community Engagement: They provide a platform for schools to connect with other like-minded institutions and individuals. The Good Schools Alliance also publishes the Good Schools India Journal, which promotes positive change in schools and education systems. Join the movement with Sandeep Dutt at Good Schools Alliance. #MyGoodSchool #LearningForward #ProfessionalDevelopment #Schools #NEP Text courtesy META AI