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Tag: Education In India

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Education Girl Child Smile

Donate Online for Girl Child Education this Christmas

Donate for Girl Child Education in India

In the recent movie Red One, Santa Claus is portrayed as more than just a figure of holiday cheer; he’s depicted as a superhero with a mission to spread joy to children and adults alike. The film beautifully captures the innocence of children who eagerly await Christmas, striving to be well-behaved in hopes of staying off the naughty list and receiving their much-anticipated gifts. However, the movie also underscores an important message: Santa doesn’t just expect good behavior from children, but from adults too.

This reflection becomes especially relevant as Christmas approaches. It’s a time for us as adults to remember and cherish the innocence of childhood and to spread joy to those who need it most. While Christmas often means fun and festivities for your own children, whom you may indulge during the celebrations, it’s also an opportunity to think of those less fortunate. Take, for example, the homeless girl you see at the traffic signal, running up to your car, eager to sell Christmas stars or reindeer bands. For her, each holiday represents a chance to earn a few dollars for a decent meal. This Christmas, consider making a difference in her life. You can help transform her future by supporting education for girls.

Let’s make this Christmas truly meaningful. As Ruth Carter Stapleton beautifully said, “Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it the most.”

Why Support Girl Child Education?

India stands at 129th position in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024, published by the World Economic Forum. This is a clear indicator that there’s a wide gap that still exists between male and female population in India and we have a long way to go to achieve gender equality, also listed as Goal 5 in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal by 2030.

Education is the foundation of empowerment, and every child deserves the gift of education to ensure a bright future. However, due to gender disparities prevalent in our country, girls often fall further behind. This makes it crucial to focus more on the girl child, providing the support needed to help them catch up.

Educating girls has far-reaching benefits for society, the nation, and the world. An educated girl grows into an empowered woman who makes informed, thoughtful decisions that not only improve her own life but also positively impact those around her. Educated girls are less likely to marry early, tend to have fewer children, and space pregnancies more effectively. These factors contribute to lower maternal and infant mortality rates, fostering a healthier nation.

Furthermore, an educated mother is better equipped to care for her children’s nutrition, health, and education, while also supporting the well-being of the entire family. Education also opens doors for women to access better income-generating opportunities, which not only enhances their standard of living but also contributes positively to the economic development of the nation.

Donate on Christmas, Make a difference

The festive season of Christmas begins with Thanksgiving around the world. It is an occasion where people express their gratitude for the blessings and sacrifices of the past year and celebrate by feasting with family and friends. Festivals often remind us to be grateful for the fortunes we are blessed with. Giving back to society and sharing our abundance with the ones deprived of it can be a great way to show our thankfulness to God.

Here’s a list of few Christmas Donation Ideas:

1.Donate for girl child education: When it comes to a poor family struggling for two square meals a day, education becomes their least concern. But education has the power to change lives, especially girl child education. You can give the precious gift of education to these under-privileged children and transform their lives.

Smile Foundation through its Shiksha Na Ruke initiative has been working relentlessly to make sure that poverty doesn’t deter education for a child. You can join hands with the Smile Foundation and donate online in a one-time or monthly payment mode to help educate a child and gift them a better future.

 2.  Donate educational gifts to poor kids: There are many poor and marginalized kids who are eager to read and write but cannot afford books or educational stationery. This Christmas, you can be their Santa Claus and buy them notebooks, pencils, erasers, crayons and other stationery which might not cost you much but would surely bring a big smile on these kids’ faces.

3. Share your Christmas Treat: Christmas is incomplete without a scrumptious and elaborate feast with friends and family. In case you are hosting one such Christmas feast and have cooked or arranged food that’s more than what you need, remember there are lots of hungry people you can feed. You can donate your extra food by finding the needy yourself or call the helpline numbers which provide assistance in this regard.

 4. Donate winter clothes to the homeless: Christmas time is winter time when many parts of the country experience extreme cold. In such climatic conditions, the homeless people and footpath dwellers suffer the most. You can donate bed sheets, blankets, shawls or any winter clothing to keep them warm and survive the chilly weather.

 5. Cook a special Christmas meal for poor kids:  Christmas is about sharing food, fun and festivities. You can take like-minded friends or family members and spend your Christmas at any orphanage, children’s home or old age home and cook a special meal for them. Believe us, the twinkle in their eyes and glee on their face would make the most cherished Christmas memories.

6. Be the Secret Santa to a needy person: Playing secret Santa and giving surprise gifts to colleagues has become part of Christmas celebrations in corporate offices in recent times. How about being a secret Santa to a person or family that expects it the least but needs it the most. For example, the watchman of your apartment, or the lift attendant in your office, the maid who works in your house or the delivery boy of your neighbourhood grocery store. If you know any specific requirement of a needy person in your vicinity or a community helper, which you can afford to fulfill, then go ahead and grant their wish. You’ll not just pleasantly surprise them but earn loads of sincere blessings.

Final Takeaway

A small act of charity by you could mean a world of difference to someone. Never stop being kind because kindness keeps the world going and has a positive impact on the self and society. Not just Christmas or any festival, let’s make kindness and compassion a way of life because as the common saying goes, “Service to Mankind is service to God.”

So set out with all your heart to donate, volunteer and serve others at every opportunity you can. Learn about Smile Foundation’s flagship programme, Mission Education and know what it is doing with respect to girl child education. Donate for girl child education today. Wish you a Merry Christmas!

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Education

Bring Them to the Basics

libraries for children's development

Every day, children attend school and read from their textbooks. However, moving beyond the school texts is also important for a child’s development. Libraries introduce children to books and other materials while developing their social skills and values such as responsibility, empathy, imagination and a love of books. Furthermore, libraries encourage reading and have a significant impact on a child’s emotional health, academic aptitude and thinking abilities. The earlier they start, the greater the potential for children’s development.

Access to Wide Variety of Texts

The variety of books offered in libraries is fascinating. Reading opens many doors for exploration; nonfiction books provide a clear pathway for readers to learn about fascinating topics and encourage them to ask questions that lead to further reading or study. This process drives them to seek answers to inquiries raised during their reading. 

On the other hand, fiction plays a significant role in stimulating a child’s ambition to learn by introducing new subjects within imaginative narratives. Historical fiction, for instance, exposes them to different worlds and time periods. Similarly, science fiction often presents futuristic interpretations of ongoing scientific trends based on existing technology. This genre prompts young readers to question the relevance and application of the materials in their own lives.

Therefore, a library provides access to a vast collection of books due to the fact that memberships are typically affordable and frequently provided at no cost to those who are underprivileged. Numerous nonprofits provide libraries in villages and smaller communities to ensure that reading is accessible to all.

Free Access to Information

Libraries offer free access to books, digital resources and instructional materials, enabling children from diverse economic backgrounds to explore and acquire knowledge. This fosters equality, removes educational disparities and cultivates a passion for reading and exploration.

Supportive Atmosphere

Librarians are essential in assisting children in locating appropriate books and resources. Their support cultivates confidence, promotes independent learning and establishes an inviting environment where children feel secure to pursue their interests and inquire freely.

Increases Empathy

Reading may strengthen a person’s empathy by enabling them to picture the feelings and situations of others. Examining diverse perspectives and convictions cultivates an appreciation of cultures and ideals that may lie beyond the reader’s personal experience. These experiences are essential for enabling children to conceptualise the lives of individuals from diverse places and historical eras. This comprehension allows individuals to evaluate various viewpoints and comprehend the wider implications of their behaviours.

A New Environment

It is routine to engage in reading or studying at home. However, libraries provide an immersive, secure and inclusive atmosphere that allows individuals read peacefully. It provides a respite from the daily routine of reading in the same setting. In a library, kids interact with others and exchange ideas and recommendations for new books. This fosters a sense of connection and encourages children to be receptive to the suggestions of others and to explore new ideas.

Better Performance in Overall Academics

Students that begin reading at an early age possess a greater likelihood of recognising letters. Ultimately, they can read independently and enhance their reading comprehension, linguistic fluency and overall understanding. Furthermore, kids acquire knowledge on a diverse array of subjects, including physics, history, social studies, etc. Reading is used across all subjects, not alone in English. Research demonstrates that reading improves learners’ performance in additional areas. This is due to the fact that when children read, they acquire, interpret, comprehend and retain knowledge, enhancing their capacity to manage new concepts and situations whether studying other topics or in everyday circumstances. Reading in a quiet space like a library improves concentration and study habits.

Improved Communication

Reading can enhance students’ speaking and reading skills by exposing them to well-structured sentences. Through engagement with language and exposure to diverse sentence forms, students enhance their understanding of word usage and arrangement, improving their linguistic proficiency. Research, (2015 study), has demonstrated that reading-related activities are the principal drivers of vocabulary expansion from grades four to ten. Their confidence is also built as they interact with others in a library.

So, libraries can be great places to read and grow. Organising storytimes, arts and crafts classes and book parties. These events can help students build social connections and language skills. Look at Smile’s community library initiative that is helping children in underserved areas discover the joy of reading. By providing access to books and learning resources, this initiative is opening doors to new opportunities and brighter futures.

A strong foundation of literacy skills is one of the few factors that can significantly impact your child’s life. Taking children to libraries or giving them access to libraries help kids to develop their reading skills and overall personality. Reading in a library scenario has a profound impact on a child’s educational abilities, mental health and cognitive processes. 

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Education Smile

Closing Schools to Protect Children from Air Pollution?

Closing Schools to Protect Children from Air Pollution?

Amidst severe air pollution in Delhi, the government had announced the shutdown of all schools as the AQI hovered over 500 across most places, reaching the ‘severe’ category for the first time this season. Leaders rose to the stage to demand action to protect and safeguard the children from inhaling the severely polluted air.

Air pollution continues to remain one of the biggest silent threats to the lives of children under 5 in India, accounting for 464 deaths daily. Air pollution is currently the second biggest health risk for children globally, surpassing the health threats from lack of clean water and poor sanitation. This most recent data from the US-based research group Health Effects Institute (HEI) reveals how air pollution has been responsible for more than eight million fatalities in 2021, affecting adults and children.

How are Children More Susceptible to Air Pollution?

Children are particularly vulnerable to the negative health impacts of rising air pollution. The damage and impact caused by air pollution can be seen as taking a toll since they are inside the mother’s womb, and these effects can last a lifetime. For instance, because their lungs, bodies, and brains are still developing, youngsters breathe in more air per kilogram of body weight and absorb more toxins than adults. 

The inequities linked to the impact of air pollution on child health are striking. Exposure to air pollution in young children is linked to pneumonia, responsible for 1 in 5 child deaths globally, and asthma, the most common chronic respiratory disease in older children.


Is Shutting Down Schools a Wise Idea?

This is not the first time the government has closed schools to protect children from the annual air pollution. However, the justification for shutting down schools as a measure to manage air quality for children is highly unscientific. On the one hand, it absolves educational institutions and governments of their responsibility to ensure their children breathe clean and healthy air. On the other hand, it is wrongly assumed that children can breathe clean air at home.

While assuming that a home setting provides clean air, we overlook a large population of low-income children, often housed in shanties and slum areas, who are most vulnerable to air and water pollution. Hence, shutting down schools further disproportionately affects these disadvantaged children, as their academic performance also suffers.

Further, a study published in 2022 found that indoor air pollution in Delhi is on par and, at times, worse than outdoor air pollution. The study established that PM2.5 levels were dangerously high in both high- and low-income families.

The indoor air pollution levels of high-income homes were slightly lower than those of lower-income households, even though they were more likely to purchase air purifiers. Household air pollution can be caused by several things, including cooking, cleaning, using incense sticks, and the penetration of external air combined with inadequate ventilation, heat, and humidity. Although higher-income groups can purchase air purifiers, it only reduces pollution levels by a marginal percentage. Outdoor air, on the other hand, benefits from dispersion. Indoor areas are more vulnerable to concentrated pollution without adequate ventilation or air purification, particularly during colder months.

Rising air pollution deepens the education divide between households from different socioeconomic backgrounds and exacerbates school closures. Shutting down of schools continues to take a widening toll on students regarding learning outcomes and social and psychological development.


Closing all schools is not the answer to the pollution issue. For practical reasons, the government may be unable to grant certain institutions exemptions; however, a long-term solution that does not interfere with education is required. Today’s children are no longer confined to one place and constantly move around for education and educational activities. Constant closure of schools because of Covid and pollution gives the impression that they are the most unsafe places, which is invalid.

Dealing with Rising Pollution?

India’s annual average PM2.5 levels are around 55 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³), more than ten times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines, exposing its 1.4 billion people to severe health risks.


Air pollution is now well-established as one of India’s biggest persistent causes of the health crisis. Several Indian cities are in the world’s top 10 most polluted areas. But what is being done to tackle this?

Over the years, the government of India has gradually increased funding for the Control of Pollution scheme, with the 2023-24 budget estimating a surge to over INR 750 cr. However, there continues to be a huge gap between funding and the actual utilisation of the funds to combat pollution.

Addressing air pollution saves lives and the environment from negatively impacting future generations. Whereas several efforts have been made to adopt measures to combat pollution, approximately half a million deaths among children in 2021 were linked to indoor air pollution from cooking with dirty fuels, including biomass, charcoal, paraffin and coal.

Through several initiatives like Shiksha Na Ruke, Smile Foundation has always been at the forefront of efforts to bring classroom education back on track. Post-COVID-19, as schools gradually reopened, the initiative assisted 87 institutions in opening and resuming physical classes. The initiative has helped underprivileged children continue their education through a blended learning approach.

At Smile Foundation, our core mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of the challenges they face, continues their educational journey. Through initiatives like Mission Education, we have supported nearly 50,000 students across 20 states, helping them overcome the barriers posed by school closures. Our Mission Education Centres have played a pivotal role, not only in keeping education accessible but also in facilitating the safe reopening of schools through direct interventions.

Our focus is on supporting children from marginalised communities by providing them with the education and resources they need to thrive. We are deeply committed towards ensuring that their learning journey continues, despite any challenges. Join us in supporting young learners with the opportunity to learn and thrive and experience a healthy and holistic childhood. 

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Education

School Dropouts Interfering with Desired Progress in India

School Dropouts Interfering with Desired Progress in India

One of the most important indicators for a nation’s high Human Development Index (HDI) is education. Education is widely believed to have a significant role in helping individuals escape poverty and pushing a nation towards its development and performance across sectors. Literacy alone is insufficient for a developing economy like India, where there are several challenges to its development growth. Higher education has become an imperative factor in driving the country’s progress.

While education remains the foundation of a prosperous and empowered society, dropout rates in Indian schools have been a significant cause of concern for policymakers and educators. India has the largest adolescent population in the world, and school dropout is most common in rural India due to various underlying factors.

What does Data say?

In India, the average number of years a youth spends in school is 6.7, according to the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 2021 Global Human Development Index study, referenced in the 2022–2023 economic assessment. In contrast, the average years spent in school in similar countries worldwide, such as China and Brazil, is 7.6 and 8.1 years, respectively.

Further, the 2021-22 UDISE+ data reveals that the total primary school dropout rate in India is 1.5%. The secondary level (9–10) has the greatest dropout rate at 12.6 percent, followed by upper primary (6–8) at 3 percent.

Even while the data indicates that overall dropout rates declined over the years, the figures are alarming considering India’s population.

How do School Dropouts Impact Society?


Education drives economic progress – a well-educated population with higher educational degrees is more productive and makes more money than people without as much schooling. A one-year increase in the average number of years of education can boost a nation’s GDP by 0.37%, per a World Bank analysis. Furthermore, because they have the skills and information needed in a given profession, educated people are more likely to contribute to the growth of enterprises.

On the other hand, dropping out of school early hinders a country’s economic growth and employment. A few years ago, the European Commission stated, “Early school dropout hampers productivity and competitiveness and fuels poverty and social exclusion.”

In India, where a significant portion of students drop out early from school, become unemployed later in life, fall into poverty, lose access to quality healthcare due to a lack of resources, are likely to engage more in criminal activities and continue the cycle of poverty hindering the economic prosperity of the geography.

Overall, student dropout affects the labour market, economic performance, and social progress of a country.

The Socio-economic Impact of Female Dropouts


Female school dropouts have a significant economic and social impact at the individual and societal levels. Dropping out of school might significantly reduce a girl’s work options and earning potential, inadvertently affecting the running of an economy. World Bank research found that a girl’s earning potential rises by 10–20 per cent for each extra year of education. Girls who leave school early deny themselves the chance to improve their economic chances and for the nation’s greater good.


The economic effects of female school dropouts are equally important from a societal standpoint. Economic growth and development can be harmed by the skills gap and decreased productivity caused by a shortage of educated women in the workforce. According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, India’s GDP might increase by $2.9 trillion by 2025 if women join the workforce at the same rate as males. 


Overall, early school dropout youth have a significant societal influence — they are more susceptible to prejudice, poverty, and exploitation. Further, they are less likely to be aware of their rights, which feeds the cycle of disadvantage and poverty.

One of the most significant dropout problems emerges from India’s higher education system. It was not until 2019 that India’s high education enrolment crossed the 40 million mark for the first time. Following this, the NEP 2020 implemented the much-discussed multiple-entry and exit mechanism to guarantee a minimum number of dropouts and effectively award certified credentials to students entering the higher education system. Candidates can be granted a basic certification based on the credits they have acquired in a particular academic year due to the entry-exit strategy for continuing higher education.

However, while this measure was built on a positively thought-out note aimed at significantly transforming dropped-out youth into qualified professionals, the implementation and success of the same have been far from the action.

Mission Education


School dropout can be seen as the culmination of a complex, cumulative process of disengagement from education influenced by various factors, one of the most significant dominating factors being poverty. Through flagship initiatives like Mission Education, Smile Foundation has provided education to 200,000 children. These children are mostly either homeless, orphaned, abandoned, runaways, or belong to impoverished families. Many of them have lost precious years of their childhood working in child labour.

These youngsters have taken the first step towards empowerment, leaving their circumstances behind. However, education is an ongoing process. Even though primary education is now free and required by the Right to Education Act, statistics show that over 40% of students leave school after just a few years. In the case of low-income group families, this is quite pertinent. Children must get a high-quality, ongoing education to grow aware, knowledgeable, and truly capable. The Mission Education initiative is centred on this need.

Our objective is to ensure that children from marginalized communities in India not only enroll in school but also complete their education. By addressing the critical issue of school dropouts, we aim to break the cycle of economic stagnation. Most importantly, our work focuses on empowering these children to build resilience, pride, and determination, helping them become independent and create lasting change for themselves and their families.

Join us to help our children continue their hope and efforts of becoming an educated and empowered individual of our nation.

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Education Smile

Music Therapy for Child Development

Music Therapy for Child Development

Music is a source of joy, and we all know that it also plays a crucial role in a child’s development. Its influence goes beyond entertainment, affecting cognitive, emotional, and social growth. Furthermore, music is a therapeutic tool for children dealing with various challenges.

Music therapy is a therapeutic approach that primarily employs music or musical components such as harmony and rhythm to enhance mental, emotional, and physical health. Music eases a person’s stress, provides a means for non-verbal expression, and promotes relaxation through singing, instrumental performance, songwriting, or listening. This well-established and widely recognised practice in psychology harnesses the diverse elements of music—physical, emotional, mental, aesthetic, and spiritual—to enhance individuals’ overall well-being. With the assistance of a music therapist, music can be utilised to delight, uplift, open the mind, and stimulate the senses in order to achieve multiple therapeutic aims.

Brief History

Music’s healing power has been acknowledged for centuries. The writings of Plato and Pythagoras, two prominent Greek philosophers, extensively explored the topic of music and its impact, often advocating for music and music therapy. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used it to treat his patients. Native Americans relied on chants and dances to heal the sick, while Arabs built hospitals with dedicated music rooms. Following the aftermath of World Wars I and II, music therapy began to flourish in the UK and the US, as hospitals employed musicians to assist soldiers dealing with PTSD and to play for wounded soldiers.

During the 1800s, research was conducted on the physiological changes that music could induce. The year 1950 marked the establishment of the National Association for Music Therapy. In 1971, another organisation known as the American Association for Music Therapy was established. In 1998, the two organisations came together to create the American Music Therapy Association.

Music in Child Development

Music offers immense developmental advantages for children. Music can improve fine and large motor skills. Dancing and singing may appear to be basic tasks, but they actually serve as the foundational elements for developing mobility skills such as bending and jumping.

Children enhance their language abilities as song lyrics are deeply embedded in language. Rhythms and tunes help children learn phrases, grasp rhyming patterns, and understand context. Music fosters communication and collaboration among children.

Music as Therapy

Music lifts our moods. When we listen to music or play an instrument that we like, we feel better. Learning an instrument can become a fulfilling new hobby, serving as a valuable tool for enhancing mental health and navigating challenging situations throughout life.

It’s interesting to note that music therapy operates without the need for verbal communication, setting it apart from other therapeutic approaches that require conversation. Ultimately, it varies based on individual needs, and there are instances where both types of therapy can be beneficial. Music offers a unique experience that doesn’t necessitate conversation. While self-expression is integral to talking therapy, music therapy facilitates creative expression, offering a more enjoyable means of navigating challenging emotions. This can be especially advantageous for children who are introverted, experience communication challenges, or struggle with intricate emotions such as loss or anxiety.

Helping children harness the power of music for managing their emotions plays a crucial role in their early child development and supports them through school and learning. Children will not only discover how to articulate their feelings, but they will also find solace in music, especially during tough times. The consistent and repetitive qualities of music can foster a feeling of stability and calmness, making it especially beneficial for children facing anxiety or navigating stressful situations, such as beginning a new school year or experiencing family transitions.

Music therapy frequently includes collaborative activities, enabling children to create music collectively, exchange their compositions, and provide mutual support. Engaging in these interactions fosters the development of social skills, empathy, and a sense of belonging—essential elements for emotional well-being. By engaging in musical activities together, children have the opportunity to build meaningful connections that offer emotional support.

Kinds of Music Therapy

Professional therapists use various therapeutic approaches. Some of them are Drumming Therapy, which functions like meditation, encouraging participants to synchronise through rhythm. Improvisation is spontaneous music-making, either freely or within a set theme, fostering creativity and self-expression. Benenzon Music Therapy blends psychoanalysis with music to help individuals identify their “musical sound identity,” reflecting their emotional state and aiding emotional regulation. Faster music can boost alertness and concentration, upbeat music encourages positivity, and slower tempos promote relaxation by calming the mind and reducing stress.

The Amani Project, a collaboration between Smile Foundation and the Amani Project USA, has empathy through music at its core. Children attend music therapy workshops under the guidance of mentors, where they are trained to play various musical instruments and learn to work together in harmony to create something beautiful. This initiative has benefited hundreds of students, enhancing their empathy and emotional management.

Smile For Child Development

Smile’s education initiative, Mission Education, has been working towards holistic child development on children belonging from marginalised communities of India. Our core belief is to provide these young learners with the knowledge and skills that foster their holistic development. Through projects like Amani, we have offered students a unique opportunity to explore their talents, refining their musical abilities and equipping them with skills that distinguish them as well-rounded individuals, ready to thrive in the broader world.

Your support can help our young maestros continue their educational journey and nurture their passions, enabling them to engage with the world in harmony with the rhythm of progress.

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Smile

Quality Education & Good Health- Keys to Development

Quality education brings good health and vice vera

Good health and quality education are often viewed as two distinct pillars of personal and societal development. However, a closer look reveals they are deeply interconnected, creating a powerful synergy that can transform lives and uplift entire communities. Good health enables learning, while quality education can lead to healthier life choices, forming a cycle of improvement that benefits individuals and societies alike. 

As we look toward a future of sustainable development, it’s crucial to understand how health and education intersect and why promoting both together can lead to far-reaching positive change. In a world striving for equity and growth, the symbiosis of health and education is essential for creating not only a better life but a brighter future.

Good Health and Quality Education- The Connection

Health and education do not exist in silos; rather, they profoundly influence each other across multiple levels. Studies reveal that better education leads to healthier life choices. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), educated individuals are more likely to avoid smoking and understand nutrition, exercise, and mental health. Education facilitates awareness of diseases, vaccines, and preventive care, reducing mortality rates. Educated women, for example, are more likely to seek maternal healthcare, benefiting both mother and child.

Likewise, good health is crucial for educational success. Well-nourished, vaccinated children perform better in school. UNICEF notes that malnutrition can significantly reduce school performance due to developmental delays and chronic health conditions. This issue is especially pressing in India, where nearly 43 lakhs of children are malnourished. Tackling these health barriers ensures that children can not only attend school but thrive academically. 

Schools as Catalysts for Health

Schools play a crucial role as hubs of health promotion, especially in communities where healthcare services may be limited. Initiatives within schools can effectively reach large groups of children.  From comprehensive sex education to hygiene and nutrition classes, schools can be ideal platforms for promoting lifelong healthy behaviors. Evidence suggests that countries investing in integrated health and education strategies see improved outcomes in areas like school attendance, literacy, and life expectancy.

In developing countries, where lack of access to basic healthcare, poor sanitation, and limited health education contribute to higher absenteeism and dropout rates, the need for health services in schools is even more pressing.

Bridging Health and Education: Global Efforts and Indian Initiatives

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have dedicated two separate but linked goals—Goal 3 for health and Goal 4 for quality education. These goals encourage nations to create systems that allow children to learn in safe, healthy environments. Programs like UNICEF’s WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) in Schools provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene practices, transforming health and education for millions in low-income countries. Similarly, the WHO’s Global School Health Initiative promotes school-based health programs, particularly in lower-income areas, enhancing student well-being, reducing absenteeism, and boosting health literacy. 

Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram is an initiative that aims to bridge health and education by providing young people with resources on physical, mental, and reproductive health. Additionally, the Midday Meal Scheme, serving over 100 million children every day, combats malnutrition and boosts attendance. These programs recognize the inseparable link between health and education and underscores the importance of investing in both for widespread societal benefits.

Breaking the Poverty Cycle Through Health and Education

Poverty is a barrier to both health and education. Poor health often leads to higher absenteeism in school, hindering educational progress and limiting future economic opportunities. Similarly, lack of education may lead to low-income jobs and restricted access to health services, perpetuating poverty across generations.

WHO estimates that 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty every year due to healthcare costs. In India, out-of-pocket health expenses constitute a significant burden for low-income families, resulting in reduced investment in education and dropouts. Breaking this cycle by implementing policies that improve both health and education access can lift entire families out of deprivation.

Mental Health: The Overlooked Link Between Health and Education

While physical health has long been associated with educational success, mental health is often overlooked. Mental health issues like anxiety and depression can severely affect academic performance and social development, especially among adolescents. Globally, the WHO reports that 10–20% of children and adolescents experience mental health conditions, yet these often go unaddressed, particularly in low-income regions.

In India, mental health support in schools is limited, but the need is growing. Schools that integrate mental health education and provide support through counseling and peer support programs can improve learning outcomes and contribute to healthier, more resilient individuals. 

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite significant progress, barriers like inadequate funding, infrastructure, and trained staff limits the effectiveness of health programs in schools, particularly in rural areas. Bridging these gaps will require sustained investment and a sincere commitment from the government, non-governmental organizations, corporate sector as well as community.

The rise of digital health tools offers an innovative solution to the challenges of integrating health services into educational systems. Telemedicine, mobile health apps, and online mental health resources are beginning to bridge healthcare gaps, even in remote areas. Such tools can support school health initiatives and extend their reach to students who would otherwise have limited access to healthcare.

The Bottom Line

The relationship between good health and quality education is clear and profound. Investing in both not only allows individuals to become healthier but also more capable of contributing meaningfully to society. Recognizing that health enables learning and learning promotes health can guide policies toward more holistic development goals. Global and local efforts that bridge health and education gaps move us closer to a future where every child can grow in a healthy, supportive environment. This synergy is more than just a path to personal growth; it forms a foundation for stronger, more resilient societies, creating lasting benefits for future generations.

Smile’s Efforts & Results

Smile Foundation’s LifeCycle approach is grounded in the belief that every aspect of a person’s life is interconnected. Therefore, addressing these dimensions in a holistic and parallel manner is essential. Through initiatives like Mission Education and Smile on Wheels, we support underserved children and their communities, ensuring that improvements in education are coupled with better health and vice versa, creating a continuous cycle of growth.

Each year, over 1.5 million children and families across 2000 villages in 25 states benefit from our targeted interventions in education, health, women’s empowerment and community development.

Our flagship educational programme, Mission Education, focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) as well as STEAM subjects, ensuring the cognitive development of children. Meanwhile, Smile on Wheels, our mobile healthcare initiative, reaches remote villages, providing preventive healthcare through OPD services, point-of-care testing, and regular health and eye care check-ups, ensuring better health and nutrition for children within healthier communities.

Through these focused efforts, we support marginalised communities with the essential building blocks for an empowered life. To help us continue working towards a healthier, educated, and empowered India, you can support our mission by clicking here.

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Education Smile

Children’s Day: The Promises We Must Keep for Our Children’s Sake

One Nation One Subscription Scheme Helping India

Since 1956, Children’s Day has been celebrated annually in India on November 14, to honour the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The day is dedicated to recognising the innocence, joy and potential of children, holding immense significance across the country. More than just a celebration, it serves as an opportunity to reflect on the state of children’s rights in India and remind government bodies, educators and parents of their responsibility to provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment for children.  

Various initiatives are undertaken on this day to raise awareness about children’s rights, needs and the importance of their holistic development. Below are some of the key promises we must keep for the sake of our children’s future.

Key Promises for a Healthy Childhood

  1. Promise to Provide Quality Education

For centuries, efforts have been made to ensure that education is both free and mandatory for all children. Yet, we still struggle to ensure that every child attends school. Gone are the days when survival with little or no education was a reality. In today’s fast-paced world, education—acknowledged as a fundamental right—is essential to thrive. It equips children not only with knowledge but also with the skills required to navigate and succeed in a highly competitive marketplace. Only through quality education can a child’s full potential be realised. Education builds confidence, empowers decision-making and offers the means to break the cycle of poverty.  

An educated individual contributes to the economic growth of society and the nation. Countries with strong education systems and higher literacy rates often experience increased productivity and economic development. That’s why the promise to provide quality education must be fulfilled without delay.

  1. Promise to Provide a Clean and Healthy Environment

Modernisation, driven by industries and factories, has undoubtedly contributed to societal progress. However, it has also led to a growing environmental crisis, with pollution levels rising across the globe. Many areas struggle to access clean water, air and sanitation. Exposure to environmental toxins—such as air pollution, lead and pesticides—can severely impact a child’s development, resulting in conditions like asthma, developmental delays and long-term health issues.  

A clean and healthy environment is crucial for a child’s physical, emotional and cognitive development. Access to clean water, nutritious food, and proper sanitation helps prevent health complications, ensuring that children can grow and thrive. In light of the global healthcare challenges we face, it has become urgent to fulfil our promise of providing a healthy and safe environment for children.

  1. Promise of Safety

A child’s environment plays a critical role in shaping their emotional and mental well-being. Children need a safe, nurturing and supportive atmosphere to develop resilience, self-esteem and emotional health. Those who grow up in unsafe or chaotic conditions, characterised by violence, neglect or poverty, are at greater risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. On the other hand, children raised in secure, loving environments are more likely to develop empathy, strong social skills and positive relationships.  

Ensuring that children are free from violence, exploitation, and abuse is essential for their safety. A secure environment fosters emotional well-being, promotes positive social behaviours and teaches children to value diversity and inclusivity. These qualities are fundamental for shaping socially responsible and compassionate adults. Ensuring the safety of children is a promise we must uphold to secure their future and well-being.

Smile Foundation’s Contribution 

Founded in 2002, Smile Foundation has worked to uplift children, focusing on education as a primary pillar of empowerment. We believe that education is the key to breaking barriers and creating opportunities. Through our flagship programme, Mission Education, we support underserved children by providing access to quality education, nutrition and healthcare support.  

We support children between the ages of three and 18 from disadvantaged communities, offering them quality education, remedial education, vocational training, scholarships and more. In the financial year 2022-23, Smile Foundation reached over 120,000 children through our education programmes, provided vocational training to more than 44,000 children, supported infrastructure development for 25,000 children and awarded scholarships to nearly 2,000 girls for education.  

Conclusion 

Children’s Day in India is a celebration of our future generation. On this day, we recognise the vast potential of every child and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to nurturing and protecting its youngest citizens. It is a time for reflection on the progress we have made, but also a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. By keeping the promises made to our children, we can create a just, equitable, and hopeful future for all.

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Education

India trying to Internationalize its Education System

India's education system transforms toward inclusive education

Ancient India has long been celebrated as a global knowledge hub. From the early roots of education in Vedic culture to the famed ancient universities of Takshashila and Nalanda, India attracted students and scholars from across the world. These institutions were not just centers of learning but symbols of a holistic education system that emphasised philosophy, science, mathematics, medicine and arts.  In contrast, the modern Indian education system, though vast, has been criticised for being exam-centric and focused on rote learning rather than inquiry-driven learning. 

Post-colonial India adopted a more rigid education structure, which, although improved access, often left little room for creativity or multidisciplinary exploration. The constraints of this system have been a barrier to innovation, research and critical thinking. This has led an increasing number of Indian students to seek educational opportunities abroad. About 7,50,000 students have traveled abroad to pursue higher education in 2022 alone, while a little over 30,000 international students have enrolled in India in the same year. This emphasises the importance of expanding internationalisation efforts at home.

National Education Policy 2020

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 introduced a framework that aims to increase international collaborations, attract foreign students and make Indian institutions more competitive globally. One of its core objectives is to make India an attractive destination for higher education and research by aligning Indian education standards with global quality metrics. By promoting the exchange of ideas and students, NEP aims to create a rich learning ecosystem.

The policy encourages Indian universities to establish partnerships with foreign institutions and attract international students by offering world-class facilities and flexible credit systems. NEP also introduced the concept of dual degrees, joint degrees and credit transfers between Indian and foreign institutions, all of which simplify the education pathway for international students. 

Global Partnerships and Exchange Programmes

International collaborations have been a focus area for India. Several universities have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with foreign institutions to facilitate research, student exchange and curriculum development. In addition, India has promoted exchange programmes under initiatives such as Study in India and the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN). 

Study in India aims to attract students from countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East by offering scholarships and simplified admission processes. A dedicated portal called ‘Study in India’ has been developed to address the issues of international students. The portal acts as a single entry point for all students coming to study in Indian Universities onboard all HEIs above a certain ranking and lists all programmes they offer. 

This will facilitate international students in navigating all information about studies in India and act as a guide in choosing the right institute and course that fits their requirements. In 2018, the Indian government allocated around INR 150 crores for Study in India, with the goal of reaching 200,000 foreign students by 2023. However, actual enrollment numbers have fallen short of these expectations, indicating the need for further reforms and better infrastructure.

Education and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

India’s drive to internationalise its education system aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4, which advocates for inclusive, high-quality education and lifelong learning. By broadening access to international programmes and elevating curriculum standards, India takes steps toward SDG 4. 

Additionally, SDG 17 emphasises global partnerships, enabling India to collaborate with other countries and adopt educational best practices while sharing its advancements. India’s commitment to these SDGs is reflected in its emphasis on inclusivity and quality improvements in NEP. Initiatives like foreign faculty exchange and encouraging research partnerships can further strengthen India’s education system in line with these goals.

Scholarships and Financial Support 

Financial incentives play a key role in attracting international students. The government and various institutions have introduced scholarships, such as the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarships, which fund students from developing countries to study in India. Despite these offerings, however, international student applications have been limited. For example, ICCR awards over 3,000 scholarships annually, yet many scholarships remained underutilised because of complex application procedures. 

Limited awareness, complex application process and the need for additional financial aid might be some of the reasons for the low uptake of scholarships. Additionally, visa processes and administrative hurdles create barriers for international students considering India as their educational destination.

Language and Cultural Barriers

Language and cultural differences might be another crucial barrier in India’s internationalisation efforts. While English is widely used in higher education, many international students may not be proficient. Creating language support systems or multilingual courses can boost inclusivity. Additionally, enhancing cultural integration through orientation programmes, peer support and student clubs helps international students feel welcome, fostering a more accessible and enriching educational experience.

Strengthening Research and Innovation

Research is often the backbone of a globally competitive education system. India’s expenditure on research and development, however, remains low at around 0.65% of its GDP, compared to developed nations like the US, which spends over 2.5% of GDP on R&D. Increasing this funding could significantly improve India’s reputation as a research-friendly destination, attracting international students and faculty with diverse backgrounds and interests.

Conclusion

Higher education plays a crucial role in shaping individuals, societies and the world at large. In today’s interconnected, globalised landscape, internationalising higher education has become essential to equip students for success in a complex, diverse global environment. Embracing global perspectives, encouraging cultural exchange and building partnerships with international institutions can position India as a leading force in the global education arena. 

India has taken significant steps towards internationalising its education system, however, the path faces hurdles in funding, infrastructure and quality alignment with global standards. NEP 2020, scholarship programmes and global partnerships are promising initiatives, yet improvements are needed to attract a more diverse student base and help India establish itself as a true global education hub.

Smile Foundation’s Mission Education programme works to bridge these gaps by promoting inclusive, high-quality education, echoing the goals of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to revitalise the system through international collaborations and a more multidisciplinary approach.

Aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Smile Foundation aims to create a learning environment that empowers children with both academic knowledge and critical life skills, preparing them to engage with the world beyond the classroom. Through partnerships and community support, the programme addresses barriers to education and advocates for accessible learning experiences, nurturing a new generation equipped to contribute meaningfully to society and the global workforce.

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Education Uncategorized

5 Education Trends 2023 to Change Education in India

Education Trends In India

The future of education is digital. We need to prepare our students for a world where technology is omnipresent.

Susan Wojcicki (A Polish-American business executive who was the CEO of YouTube from 2014 to 2023)

As a student, you might remember sitting in a classroom listening to teachers giving lectures about different subjects, and taking notes with a pen and paper. If we had a question, we raised our hands and waited for the teachers to respond to our queries. The most high-tech tool in the room was a chalkboard. 

Fast forward to today, and the classroom looks very different. Students are using laptops or tablets to take notes and complete assignments. Teachers are incorporating virtual reality experiences and interactive whiteboards into their lessons. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many schools to adopt remote learning, education has become even more technology-driven. Video conferencing and online learning platforms became the norm. 

These changes are just a few examples of the education trends that have emerged over the past few decades. As technology advances and society evolves, so does the way we approach education. Here we’ll explore some of the most important education trends 2023. We will try to understand what they mean for students, teachers, and society as a whole.

Artificial Intelligence

“Artificial Intelligence has the potential to transform education by providing personalized learning experiences, improving access to education, and bridging the knowledge gap. However, we must ensure that AI is adopted in a fair and equitable manner, with the ultimate goal of reducing, rather than reinforcing, existing inequalities in education.”

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO

The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been revolutionary across various fields, including education. Virtual assistants and tutoring systems are increasingly being used in classrooms to help students and teachers manage time, complete assignments, and deliver personalized learning experiences to learners of all ages and abilities. 

Online and remote learning systems also use AI to adjust the pace of teaching and cater to individual student needs. Furthermore, language translation technology is being utilized in educational settings where multiple languages are spoken. Some schools in China have even started using facial recognition technology to monitor student engagement in class. This surely indicates the rise of education trends 2023.

UNESCO acknowledges that AI has the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the education sector today. These include bridging the gap in access to quality education and improving knowledge–sharing worldwide. However, AI implementation also poses its own set of challenges, such as ensuring a fair and equitable rollout of this highly disruptive technology, which doesn’t exacerbate existing inequalities in the education system.

Remote, Digital and Personalized Learning

Prior to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the popularity of massive online open courses (MOOCs) was already transforming the landscape of online learning. However, due to the pandemic, schools, universities, and course providers were forced to quickly adapt to deliver education remotely. 

Remote and online learning has become a means of reaching students who live in isolated or rural communities, providing them with access to education that they might not otherwise have had. This has the potential to greatly advance equality of educational opportunity, particularly in light of the fact that millions of children around the world do not attend school due to living in remote areas.

Personalised learning is a successful and innovative approach to education. It tailors teaching to the unique strengths, needs, talents, and interests of each student. This means creating an individual learning plan that is specific to the learner. The concept behind this approach is that every student has a different learning style and pace. 

With personalised learning, each student receives a customised plan based on their prior knowledge, abilities, and interests. This approach moves away from the traditional “one size fits all” philosophy often seen in schools. To ensure that students have a hands-on learning experience, the plan is project-based and designed to help them learn as they progress through their education.

This is one of the most hopeful of the education trends 2023.

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

The use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in education is becoming increasingly prevalent. VR enables users to enter a virtual world, with numerous experiences available ranging from historical recreations to hazardous environment training. In 2023, virtual classrooms and experiential learning will become more popular.

VR already finds use in healthcare training for various purposes, such as training nursing students to provide emergency care and teaching doctors surgical procedures.

Augmented reality (AR) is different from virtual reality (VR) as it overlays computer-generated images onto the real world that the user is seeing through a device such as a phone or a headset. The advantage is that it can provide real-time information, like warning a trainee about dangerous machinery in a manufacturing environment. 

AR textbooks are also available, containing images and models that come to life when viewed through a smartphone camera. This provides students with an in-depth understanding of various subjects. AR is also being used by museums and other educational sites to create more immersive learning experiences for visitors.

College Courses Not Enough

In the year 2023, high schools will dedicate more resources to prepare students for career paths beyond traditional college courses. This will result in the growing popularity of vocational and technical courses that teach diverse skill sets. Schools will collaborate with employers to find new solutions to tackle the problem of the skills gap. 

In the US, a significant number of high school graduates enroll in college courses, but school resources primarily focus on preparing this minority group. On the other hand, the emphasis on preparing students for non-traditional pathways, such as apprenticeships or on-the-job training needs more focus.

As the job market demands a workforce with the necessary skills, schools will shift their focus toward vocational education and training alongside traditional academic, subject-based training. In Europe, 2023 is designated as the European Year of Skills to recognize the importance of vocational education and training in developing new drivers of economic growth during a global slowdown or recession.

“The future of the economy is in skill specialization. Technical schools and vocational training will be more valuable than an Ivy League degree. Because if you have a specific skill, you’ll always be employable.”

Naval Ravikant (An Indian-American entrepreneur and investor. He is the co-founder, chairman, and former CEO of AngelList)

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and Soft Skills

Soft skills refer to human skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and conflict resolution that are unlikely to be replaced by machines. As AI takes on more technical responsibilities, these skills will become increasingly important and will be taught alongside technical education. 

HR experts believe that while soft skills are essential to company success, they are harder to measure than hard skills such as math and programming. In 2023, STEM education will place more emphasis on these skills, and there will be increased efforts to measure and assess them within organizations.

In 2023, India’s National Education Policy (NEP) will drive significant educational reforms, with a focus on STEM-based learning and skill-based education. Policy developments aim at promoting digital literacy and providing equitable access to quality learning methods. As experiential learning gains popularity, school curriculums will undergo significant changes. The greater emphasis is on making learning enjoyable through innovative programs.

STEM as one of the most progressive education trends 2023 is not only about imparting knowledge, it’s about inspiring the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and creators who will lead us toward a better and brighter future.

Smile Foundation Empowering Education for a Better Tomorrow

Smile Foundation is a nonprofit providing quality education to underprivileged children in India. Through our various programmes and initiatives, namely, Shiksha Na Ruke, She Can Fly and Tayyari Kal Ki, the Smile Foundation aims to bridge the education gap and ensure that every child has access to education and the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

Incorporating your support through volunteering and individual/corporate partnerships, Smile Foundation provides resources and support to students, schools, and teachers. All these activities are in place to make a significant life-changing impact on the lives of many children.

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