Socio-economic progress of a nation depends on how educated its citizens are. Though there has been a six fold improvement in the literacy rate since independence, yet the current literacy figure 76.32% (2022) is lower than the average world literacy rate of 86% (2022). 1.17 million children are currently out of school!
Besides, there is a wide gender disparity in the literacy rate in India with low female literacy. Lack of a good educational infrastructure in rural areas and slum regions and dearth of trained teachers add to the crisis. The situation doesn’t look promising!
Despite implementation of government programs including the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, India is still a far way to go in terms of literacy. It is the underserved children in remotes rural areas and slum dwellings who are the most deprived of education. And school dropout is a common issue in these areas. If the children of today are not educated and trained well, how can they, as tomorrow’s citizens assist in nation building?
Smile Foundation’s Mission Education program
Smile Foundation has been proactively involved in multitude of activities directed towards economical, social, and moral upliftment of the underserved and downtrodden in India, especially in the areas of education, healthcare, women empowerment, and skill development.
Smile Foundation believes education is both the means as well as the end to a better life. It empowers an individual to not only evolve as a better citizen but also pursue livelihood opportunities. The NGO has set up Mission Education centres in the remotest rural areas and slum regions across India. These centres impart education to underprivileged children who are under difficult circumstances, encompassing child labour, children of poorest of the parents, children inflicted and affected with HIV/AIDS, street and runaway children, children with rare disabilities, disaster struck children, slum children, and more.
Special emphasis is given on girl child and women education, so that they and their families get empowered.
Improvement in the quality of education imparted would only mean creation of better individuals. A well-designed education model has been implemented in the Smile Mission Education centres ever since the start. While all teachers involved are trained to nurture the educational needs of each child according to and beyond the curriculum, priority is laid on the holistic development of the children. Besides the academic curriculum, students are encouraged to participate in workshops related to art, debate, drama, etc. Going by the present and futuristic trends in education, the NGO has introduced digital education in most of its centres across India.
Smile Foundation’s educational initiatives include:
- Pre-school [3-6 yrs.]
- Non Formal Education [6-14 yrs. non-school going]
- Remedial Education [6-14 yrs. school going]
- Bridge Course [14-18 yrs. drop-outs]
CSR Avenues for Smile Foundation’s Mission Education program
Organizations partnering with Smile Foundation can collectively help the nation in qualitatively improving its literacy rate. CSR is a part of strategic decision making in many an organization directed towards welfare of the community. It is about creating a positive impact in the society while doing business. Because only government initiatives for a better India aren’t the solution! Organizations through CSR activities can not only help in create a educatedIndia but also enhance their brand identity in the process.
Partnering with organizations, Smile has been able to impart quality education to lakhs of underserved children in India. CSR partnership can go a long way in empowering the children and youth of India. Organizations, through their CSR participation with Smile, can help in the set up of more Mission Education centres across India. Lakhs of more children can be empowered to lead better lives in the future and add to the socio economic development of the nation.
Besides, empowered citizens of India can also participate in shaping India’s future.
The Impact
Since 2002, over 300,000 underserved children from across the length and breadth of rural and urban India have directly benefitted from Smile Foundation’s Mission Education program. The count is only increasing by the day.
In 2024 alone, 120000 children were directly provided education through hundreds of centers in 25 states. 100% children received regular nutrition and health care support. 50% of the total beneficiaries enrolled were girl children, to ensure a fair start for all. 100% teachers received training in innovative teaching skills.
Corporate organizations and empowered individuals joining hands through our Mission Education program can help create an impact the big way. 1.17 million children being currently out of school is a huge number! Working together towards educationally empowering these children, thereby creating responsible citizens of the 21st century, is what Smile Foundation aspires. Collectively, the impossible can be made possible!
Talk to us today and put smile on children’s faces by changing their lives.
