GirlsFirst Foundation’s Post

Are We Ready to Face the NIPUN Goal? Numerous policies have been pursued globally to reduce early school leaving and improve learning outcomes, yet debates about the most effective strategies continue. Recent data reveals alarming statistics 📊: 128 million boys and 122 million girls are still out of school, and a staggering 57% of 15-year-olds lack basic skills (UNESCO, 2023). The cost of failing to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 🎯, which promises inclusive and equitable education for all, could be catastrophic for the global economy 🌍, especially for marginalized regions like sub-Saharan Africa. India’s NIPUN Bharat Mission 📚, aimed at ensuring foundational literacy and numeracy for all children by 2026-27, faces similar challenges. Recent ASER 2022 data shows that only 20.5% of rural grade 3 students can read at the expected level. By 2024, it is estimated that 25% of Indian children aged 6-14 will struggle with basic literacy skills, particularly in underprivileged areas 🏘️. But it's not just about getting children into classrooms — it's about changing how children learn 🎓. We need innovative teaching methods that make learning engaging, relevant, and accessible to every child. From integrating technology 💻 to introducing activity-based learning 🧠, we can transform traditional education systems to meet the needs of today’s children and prepare them for tomorrow’s world 🌏. The consequences are far-reaching. The economic losses from early school leavers and low skills are projected to cost over US$6.5 trillion 💸 in lost global GDP by 2030. But there’s hope 🌟. Reducing the share of children with less than basic skills by just one percentage point could boost annual global labor income by over US$650 billion 💼. It's time to connect the dots 🔗. Can we truly meet the ambitious #NIPUNGOAL? Are we doing enough to close the #learninggap and #leavenoonebehind? By reimagining how children learn, we can unlock their full potential and secure a brighter future 🔮. Join the conversation today and be part of the movement towards a literate and empowered generation! 💪📖 #LeaveNoOneBehind #LearningGap #NIPUNGoal #QualityEducation #SDG4 #EducationForAll #NIPUNBharat 🎓

✨Topic-Literacy Rate 💫 India's literacy rate has seen a remarkable increase, now standing at approximately 77.7% as of 2023, reflecting a growth of 5% from previous years. This achievement underscores the collective efforts in enhancing educational access and quality across the nation. While we celebrate this progress, it's essential to recognize that challenges remain, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized communities. Let's continue to advocate for inclusive education and work towards a future where every individual has the opportunity to learn and grow. **The Indian government has implemented several initiatives to improve literacy rates: 1)Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Launched in 2001, this program aims to provide free and compulsory education to children aged 6-14, significantly increasing enrollment rates. 2)National Literacy Mission (NLM): Established in 1988, it focuses on eradicating illiteracy among adults through functional literacy programs. 3)New India Literacy Programme (NILP): Initiated in 2022, this scheme aims to cover 5 crore non-literates aged 15 and above over five years, with a financial outlay of ₹1,037.90 crores. 4)Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: This initiative promotes girls' education to bridge the gender gap in literacy. 5)Digital India Initiatives: These programs integrate technology into education, enhancing access to digital resources and e-learning. These efforts reflect a commitment to achieving universal literacy and addressing socio-economic barriers to education. #YouthLiteracy #LiteracyMatters #EducationForAll Axis Colleges Degree2Destiny

“When you educate a girl, you empower a generation.” Today, girls around the world are breaking barriers and shaping a brighter future. Girls make up 48% of the school population in India, but the gap widens at the secondary school level. Imagine how much more we could achieve if every girl had the opportunity to learn, grow, and realize her full potential. The theme for International Day of the Girl Child 2024, "Girls' Vision for the Future," emphasises the importance of equipping girls to grow into healthy, democratic citizens, successful in their careers and nurturing social change. By integrating academic and 21st century skills into their learning, we can prepare them for the various roles they will take on—paving the way for a future where they not only succeed but also lead and innovate. A balanced education today is key to shaping a brighter, more resourceful tomorrow. At the School of Education & Systems Change, through initiatives like Project Samriddhi, we are working to ensure higher enrollment of girls by improving scholarship systems and tackling the concerning the dropout rates. Our mission is to provide girls with hassle-free education, empowering them to lead and inspire others in their communities. Stay tuned to learn more! Piramal Foundation PiramalSchoolOfLeadership #InternationalDayoftheGirlChild #ProjectSamriddhi #GirlsVisionoftheFuture #SOESC

🌟Impact Opportunities Spotlight🌟 In the second part of our #impact opportunities spotlight, we continue our feature on the impact projects working in the #education sector 📖 For the #underprivileged, education is the key to breaking the cycle of #poverty. 📔 UBS Optimus Foundation’s Asia Higher Education Fund seeks to invest in solutions that close the funding gap in tertiary education. For example, #financial products such as Income Share Agreements invest in the beneficiaries’ future success, allowing students to make repayments after employment, based on a percentage of their income. 📔 Similarly, ErudiFi has empowered more than 12,000 students through its partnerships with over 50 educational institutions across Indonesia and the Philippines, by offering affordable tuition installment plans. 📔Beyond poverty, #patriarchy and #policy gaps can result in women being trapped in disadvantaged positions. Educate Girls aims to solve this challenge through its second chance program, Pragati, by enabling girls and women aged 15-29 to acquire their 10th-grade credentials through India’s government’s open #school system. 📔To enhance students' academic performance, Vedantu is implementing an ecosystem of data-driven prerequisites, quizzes, rank predictor tests and more, aimed at narrowing the gap between their actual and perceived ability. Visit the Co-Axis platform to find out more on how you can contribute to the education of our future generations here: https://lnkd.in/gJtntW8N🚀

The increasing focus on digital literacy in rural India raises pertinent questions on the current digital landscape and digital skills among youth. In 2023, ASER measured different aspects of digital access and skills in rural India. We found some interesting things about smartphone access and usage among young people aged 14 to 18 years. For a detailed breakdown of our findings, visit: https://lnkd.in/dgvaV8Tb #aser #aser2023 #youth #aspirations #education #learning #india #rural #future #futureofwork #guidance #schools #digital #youth #digitalliteracy #digitalskills #publicpolicy #socialpolicy #stories #impact #follow #creative #school #digitalliteracy #follow #digitalindia #goi #government #governance #empowerment

📚 Celebrating National Education Day: Honoring Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and India's Educational Transformation 🌟 On this National Education Day, we celebrate the legacy of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India's first Education Minister, whose vision laid the foundation for a modern, inclusive educational landscape. Today, with a population where 65% is under 35, investing in education is more crucial than ever. Here’s a look at some transformative steps India is taking to shape a globally competitive and accessible education system: 📘 Right to Education Act (RTE): Enshrining free and compulsory education as a fundamental right for children aged 6-14. 📘 National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: A forward-looking policy fostering multidisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and inclusivity. 📘 PM SHRI Schools: Developing model schools that embody the principles of NEP 2020, with an emphasis on quality education and cognitive development. 📘 Samagra Shiksha: Working toward an equitable education system for all, including marginalized communities. 📘 Digital Learning Initiatives: Platforms like DIKSHA for teacher training and SWAYAM Plus for skill development ensure that both educators and students are well-equipped for the future. India's commitment to gender parity and social inclusivity is reflected in the increasing enrollment of women and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. With initiatives like PM-Vidyalaxmi for education loans and increased budget allocation for higher education, India is paving the way for a generation of empowered, skilled youth. Let’s continue to honor the vision of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad by supporting the mission of accessible, quality education for all. Together, we can help India realize its potential as a global education hub. 🌏📖 #NationalEducationDay #EducationTransformation #NEP2020 #IndiaEducation

The journey of advancing girls' education in India is generating profound societal impact. As educational opportunities expand for underprivileged girls, they not only unlock their own potential but catalyze growth across entire communities, driving economic resilience, social cohesion, and greater equality. Yet, despite the milestones reached, significant challenges remain in ensuring that every girl can access quality education and comprehensive support. #GirlsEducation #EducationForAll #GirlsFirstFoundation #GirlsFirst

When women are educated, they contribute significantly to economic growth. Increasing female secondary education by just 1% can boost economic growth by 0.3%. By empowering girls with quality education, we unlock their full potential as contributors to the workforce and drivers of economic progress. At Educate Girls, we are working to break barriers to education and ensure that every girl has the opportunity to contribute to sustainable economic growth. Educating girls doesn't just transform their futures—it transforms economies. Support SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth by investing in girls' education today. #EducateGirlsUSA #EducateGirls #UnitedNations #DecentWork #SDG8 #EconomicGrowth #GirlsEducation #EmpowerGirls #India

🌍 Scaling Impact, Transforming Lives: Insights from YPO Mumbai’s Event on Educate Girls in India 🌍 I recently had the privilege of attending an inspiring YPO session in Mumbai, where Safeena Husain, Founder of Educate Girls, shared her journey of leading one of the largest NGOs focused on empowering girls through education in India. The foundation's growth is truly phenomenal—from 50 villages to an astounding 50,000 villages in just a few years. If Educate Girls were a business, it would be a #unicorn by now, given its massive and rapid scale-up. Truly, Educate Girls is a model of #socialentrepreneurship and systemic #impact at scale I would recommend all INSEAD MBA students to study. 🚀 During her talk, Safeena shed light on the stark realities girls face across India: - More than 50% of girls don't finish 10th grade. - In some villages, girls are still seen as "missed calls" or "unwanted" – a reflection of deep-seated societal attitudes. - 30% of villages are responsible for the majority of girls who miss out on education. - Women in India are 14x more likely to be impacted by climate change, partly due to their marginalized roles in society. The foundation's use of advanced #dataanalytics and #AItools for impact measurement is as cutting-edge as any for-profit organization. Recruiting 600-800 volunteers annually, transporting learning materials to remote villages, and supporting schools in regions the size of Brazil are just a few of the logistical feats the organization tackles daily. This conversation reminded me how crucial education is, not just for individual empowerment but for tackling global challenges like climate change and inequality. #EducateGirls #YPOMumbai #SocialImpact #GirlsEducation #Empowerment #SocialEntrepreneurship #ClimateAction

STEM education is key to building a brighter future, yet challenges persist in rural India. Limited access to technology and a shortage of STEM teachers hinder progress. Centum Foundation is addressing these gaps by enhancing digital infrastructure and providing critical teacher support, empowering students in underserved areas. Learn more about our efforts: https://lnkd.in/gsArPNq3 #Education #CSR #SocialImpact #SkillDevelopment #SocialResponsibility #Empowerment