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Tag: Girl Child Education

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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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CSR Education Girl Child Partnerships Women Empowerment

Scholarships for Girls Help Them Continue their Studies

Scholarships for Girls help them be empowered

The right to education is a fundamental right for every child, regardless of gender, caste or background. It is a birthright that is and (should be) universally recognised. However, despite this widely accepted principle, girls’ education continues to face unique challenges. From birth, many girls are often confronted with the decision of whether they will attend school or take on household responsibilities, while their brothers are sent to school. In families with financial constraints, it is frequently the boys who are prioritised when it comes to education, based on the belief that they will ultimately become the primary breadwinners.

While gender bias is undoubtedly a significant factor in these challenges, it is important to recognise that the most pervasive barrier to girls’ education is poverty. Poverty, alongside issues such as poor nutrition, lack of financial literacy and limited empowerment opportunities, often prevents girls from completing their education. In this context, scholarships for girls’ education play a crucial role in bridging the gap, offering them the opportunity to realise their potential and live the reality of their ambition and hard work. By supporting girls in their educational journey, scholarships enable them to acquire the skills and independence needed to stand on their own feet and overcome the socio-economic challenges they face.

Girl Child Education is for Every Girl

Educating girls is a global imperative and a collective endeavour. Therefore, when we hear of girls being denied an education in countries like South Sudan, Chad and Afghanistan, we must pause and ask ourselves: how is this still acceptable? In today’s world, efforts to empower women through quality education and employment opportunities have become more aligned than ever. It is good food for thought to understand whether all women, regardless of their circumstances, are truly being included in this global movement or not.

India’s journey towards educating girls has been a long and evolving one. The nation’s educational landscape has been shaped by pioneering women who have played a vital role in this revolution. Figures such as Kamala Sohonie, a trailblazing scientist who championed women’s participation in STEM, Neena Gupta, a mathematician who provided the solution to the Zariski Cancellation problem and Dr. Gagandeep Kang, a leading scientist in the development of Rotovac, a vaccine that addresses diarrhoea – a major health issue that is the third leading cause of death among children under five, claiming an estimated 300,000 young lives in India each year.

These remarkable women exemplify the transformative impact of educating girls. There is no question that the roots of girls’ education in India have deepened, embedding themselves in the national consciousness. However, the collaborative implementation of this vision is still in its formative stages and requires continued effort and progress.

Solidify Girl Child Education in India

It is well recognised that challenges such as poverty, poor nutrition and inadequate healthcare are significant barriers to education of girls in India. However, rather than focusing solely on these obstacles, we should direct our attention to finding effective solutions. 

Scholarships for girl child education play a crucial role in bridging the gap, connecting the girl, her family and her community with an educational system that is progressively adopting inclusive practices. These scholarships offer hope and confidence to economically disadvantaged parents, encouraging them to prioritise their daughter’s education and invest in her future. In turn, this creates a positive cycle that can contribute to the broader goal of Education for All, ensuring that no child is excluded from the opportunity to learn and succeed.

Scholarships for Girls- Let her study

India’s efforts towards women’s empowerment have been evident across various sectors. Through women’s financial schemes, awareness campaigns, and educational initiatives for girls, the country has made significant strides in fostering a more conscious and sensitised community.

To ensure that girls in India grow up in a safe and healthy environment, particular attention has been paid to both their educational and health development as key pillars of the nation’s progress. Scholarships for girls have played a pivotal role in challenging societal prejudices against educating girls, while providing families with the financial security and confidence to invest in their daughters’ education. This, in turn, empowers girls to realise their aspirations and turn their dreams into reality.

Scholarships such as the AICTE Pragati Scholarships for Girls and the CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child have been instrumental in reducing dropout rates among female students, increasing school enrolment figures and encouraging greater participation in skills development programmes. These initiatives have made a significant contribution to the broader goal of empowering girls and fostering their future success.

Smile for Girl Education

Since 2005, Smile Foundation has been dedicated to supporting economically disadvantaged communities by equipping them with the knowledge and resources needed to work towards their empowerment. 

With a strong focus on women’s empowerment, our educational initiatives have been specifically designed to ensure that girls in India receive their right to quality education, with ease and accessibility. Our scholarship programmes for Schooling and Higher education, are actively working with young girls and women who are determined to pursue education and build a brighter future.

These programmes cover essential costs, including tuition fees, school supplies and transportation, enabling students from marginalised communities to concentrate on their studies. In addition to financial support, the scholarships also provide mentorship and guidance, helping students make informed decisions about their futures. Furthermore, recipients of the Higher education scholarships such as Engineering Scholarships are provided with laptops, career counselling and skills-building sessions, ensuring they are fully equipped to succeed in their chosen fields.

Aligned with the core values of the Indian government’s vision and initiatives to overcome the social and economic barriers to girls’ education, we are committed to providing Indian women with a safe, progressive environment where they and their communities can thrive through collective and holistic development. If your CSR goals echo a common vision of empowering girls with education, then join us to create conscious and impactful actions together.

Categories
Education

What’s the need of quality education in rural India?

What’s the need of quality education in rural India?

About 1.5 centuries ago, attempts were made in India to make education free and mandatory, and yet, we are unable to guarantee that every child attended school even today. The British government moved the enactment of the Compulsory Education Act in 1870 in England to ensure free and compulsory primary education in India. By adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, education has formally been recognised as a basic human right. Not just that, the Indian government had pledged to make universalisation of elementary education. Following constant efforts, it passed the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) 2009 as a pursuant to the 86th amendment to the Indian Constitution.

Despite the efforts, the country has numerous out-of-school children and the quality of education requires immediate improvement, especially in rural areas. In addition to the existing challenges of urban areas, schools in villages have limited infrastructure, a lack of qualified teachers and social discrimination. But how good will it be if every child in the country can get access to quality education without any social or geographical differences? Read along to understand the need for quality education in rural India.

Importance of quality education in rural India

Believe it or not, education is one of the powerful tools that is capable of transforming lives and communities beyond imagination. It is the cornerstone of development. In a country like India where the majority of the population resides in villages, the need for quality education is vital. Because the growth of the country is dependent on it. According to statistics, the rural population of the country represents 65% of its total population and its contribution to the country’s GDP is 35–30%. Some of the important reasons why quality education is essential are discussed below.

  1. Boosts economic development: By providing quality education, villagers are equipped with skills and knowledge that are required for employment and entrepreneurship. Graduates can grab job opportunities in several sectors, including government, technology, healthcare and science. Also, quality education fosters entrepreneurial spirit in individuals and encourages them to set up their own businesses. Thereby, creating numerous job opportunities. This not only reduces underemployment and unemployment situations in rural areas but also helps in increasing household incomes. Along with education comes awareness. It in turn helps individuals to know and practise sustainable agricultural practices to increase yields and reduce expenses.
  2. Empowerment and gender equality: Without education, there is no empowerment. Even today, communities impose numerous societal restrictions on villagers, especially on girls and women. But quality education will enable them to question these norms and make informed decisions. Challenging these norms makes them empowered and an empowered community becomes capable of addressing its own challenges. Similarly, education helps women to break the gender barriers and participate in the workforce and decision-making community without any fear. This will help in reducing the gender gap in the workforce across various sectors. 
  3. Civic participation: Quality education drags along knowledge about the rights and responsibilities of an individual. It helps the community to understand how a democratic country works and what’s their role in it. When a person understands what he is capable of, they will foster a sense of empowerment and make informed participation in elections and local governance. Education also helps one to analyse social and political issues by promoting critical and rational thinking. It also promotes awareness of the diverse culture of the country and various perspectives. It in turn helps one to foster tolerance and inclusivity, thereby creating a cohesive society.
  4. Sustainable practices: When a person is educated, they will become aware of the local and global environmental issues like biodiversity loss and climate change. This awareness will help them to foster a sense of responsibility towards environmental stewardship and practise sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices like crop rotation, organic farming, rainwater harvesting and integrated pest management. These techniques enhance productivity and help in conserving natural resources. Education also increases awareness about the importance of using renewable energy resources like solar and wind power, thereby, it cuts down the reliance on fossil fuels. Knowledge sharing among community members can lead to collaborative projects that address local environmental concerns.
  5. Health awareness: Quality education creates awareness about health issues, their connection with sanitation and nutrition and preventive care. Educated individuals follow hygienic practices, healthy dietary choices, are involved in physical activities, take vaccinations and follow medical advice. They lead a healthier lifestyle and reduce the incidence of chronic diseases. Educated families, especially mothers, provide adequate nutrition, seek medical care and follow health guidelines, contributing to the well-being of their children. Education also creates awareness about mental well-being and destigmatises mental health issues.

Smile Foundation’s contribution

Realising that education is the key to addressing poverty, population control, unemployment and healthcare issues, Smile Foundation has been playing a role in making quality education in India accessible to children from marginalised communities. We have vowed to empower underserved children by offering education, nutrition and wellness support through our flagship programme Mission Education.

Volunteers from the organisation work closely with children from economically backward families, differently abled children, disaster-struck children, orphaned and street children and children living in tribal and remote villages. The foundation has taken up 261 projects in various parts of the country. In the year 2022–23, we have helped 1.20 lakh children to receive quality education, more than 44,000 girls to receive vocational training and 2,000 girls to receive scholarships for higher education. We have also helped over 25,000 children by providing infrastructure support.

What’s more satisfying than to hear testimony from beneficiaries? One such beneficiary is Lavanya. Her father left her family shortly after she was born and her mother died in an accident. Lavanya was adopted by her mother’s cousin. She grew up along with her cousin Shobha. Things were going smooth both for Lavanya and Shobha until the latter’s father died five years ago. There was never enough food at home and things turned bad for both of them. After much attempts and efforts, both the children are studying in Class IV at the foundation’s Mission Education Centre in Hyderabad. The stories of Debasmita and Nehra were not different. Today, they all study at the foundation’s centres established at various parts of the country.

Categories
Girl Child

Let our children breathe

Let our children breathe

How many of us believe that their children are breathing fresh air after placing one of the oxygen-producing indoor plants in their bedroom? If you are one of them, then you definitely need to be aware of the latest report titled ‘The State of Global Air: 2024’. It was jointly published by the Health Effects Institute and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Burden of Disease project. According to the report, India recorded the largest numbers of air pollution-related deaths among children aged under five years in the world. The country has lost 1.69 lakh children below five years to air pollution and other related diseases in 2021. It means 464 children are dying every day due to factors associated with air pollution.

Not just that, India contributes to over 50% of all ozone-related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) deaths across the world. It has recorded 2.37 billion such deaths and is followed by China and Bangladesh. India, along with China, account for about 54% of the total global disease burden. India has been ranked third in the list of countries that had the worst air quality in 2023.

Research shows that India’s air pollution level is among the highest in the world. All its 1.4 billion citizens are exposed to the most harmful pollutants emanating from multiple sources. It has been posing a heavy threat to the country’s economy and health. Isn’t the data shocking? Read along to learn more about air pollution, which has been coined the silent killer. 

What is air pollution?

Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful physical, chemical, or biological substances in the atmosphere. The pollutants can arise from both natural sources like wildfires and volcanic eruptions and man-made activities like transportation, combustion devices and industrial processes. These pollutants can adversely affect human health, the environment and the climate as they alter the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set guideline limits for air pollutants to protect public health. Their data show that almost 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds the limit and contains high levels of pollutants. Middle- and lower-income countries are among those who suffer from the highest exposures.

Pollutants that cause public health concern are particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and ozone. Particulate matter (PMs) are tiny particles suspended in the air that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues. It is categorised based on its sizes into PM2.5 (fine particles) and PM10 (coarse particles). Volatile organic compounds are organic chemicals that can evaporate into the air, often found in paints, solvents, and fuels, contributing to smog formation.

Impact of air pollution on health

True to its coined name, air pollution is indeed a deadly disease. People exposed to high air pollution are more likely to get respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, trachea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, reproductive, neurological and immune system disorders, and cancer. The WHO has strongly established the relationship between air pollution and type 2 diabetes, obesity, systemic inflammation, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Studies have constantly established the connection between short-term exposure to higher levels of outdoor air pollution and reduced lung function, cardiac problems, and asthma. The association of PM2.5 with an increased risk of death is also being established by experts. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, researchers have found that the number of deaths decreased significantly after air pollution regulations were strictly implemented and coal-powered plants were shut down. The research that studied 21 years’ data found that exposure to PM2.5 from coal was associated with a mortality risk that was twice as high as the risk from exposure to PM2.5 from all other sources.

When a person is regularly exposed to air pollution, he is prone to chronic diseases and cancer. Exposure to the pollution is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in human cells that lay the foundation for cancer and chronic diseases. Air pollution, in particular PM2.5, has been classified as a human carcinogen, a leading cause for cancer, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2013. A recent study revealed that chronic exposure to air pollution can affect every single organ in the human body and exacerbate existing health conditions. Children and adolescents are very vulnerable to air pollution because of their immature immune systems and organs. Air pollution damages the health of children and increases the risk of diseases later in their lives.

India and air pollution

WHO says that all of India’s 1.4 billion population is exposed to the unhealthy levels of PM2.5 that are emanating from various sources, like burning fossil fuels. Exposure to these particulates can cause deadly diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, stroke and lung cancer. The size of the particulates is about one-thirtieth the width of a human hair. The particulates at this size can also come from windblown dust, including dust from roads, industrial plants and construction sites. IQAir has released a list of the most polluted cities in the world based on over 80,000 data points collected between 2017 and 2023, and nine out of the top 10 cities are in India.

Research reveals that more than 50% of PM2.5 emissions are formed in a secondary way in the upper atmosphere when different types of gaseous pollutants from one area, such as ammonia, mix with other gaseous pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from another place. This secondary form spreads wider and farther than primary PM2.5. It means that the pollutants travel across states and cities without any jurisdictional restrictions.

Rapid urbanisation and a significant rise in the number of vehicles play an important role in the high pollution levels in the country. Urbanisation produces construction dust, among others. In addition, constantly emerging factories and power plants release pollutants at various degrees. Despite the development the country has witnessed in the last few decades, its people continue to burn waste in open sites, releasing harmful smoke and chemicals into the atmosphere. Not just that, people in rural areas still burn crop residues, especially during the winter seasons.

Studies point out that India has lost 1.67 million people in 2019 alone to air pollution. The number accounts for 17.8% of the total deaths that occurred in the country. India has been paying a heavy cost due to the air pollution. According to the WHO, the country’s lost output from premature deaths and morbidity due to air pollution accounted for economic losses of 28.8 billion and 8 billion US dollars, respectively, in 2019. The amount—36.8 billion dollars—was 1.36% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Conclusion

It is high time we both, as individuals and communities, pay attention and take effective steps to reduce air pollution. By limiting the release of pollutants in the atmosphere, we could avoid further damage done both to the living beings and the environment as a whole. By improving the quality of air, we are actually helping our children breathe without any struggle.

Categories
Education

Quality Education in India, Greater Engagement with the World

Quality Education in India, Greater Engagement with the World

Quality education is central to any country’s development and growth. When we think about the greatest institutions of the world, we think of Harvard, Oxford and many others that highlight the tradition of knowledge that has been cultivated in these countries over the centuries. Even in India, we hear of the great universities of the past like Takshshila and Nalanda which not only promoted a culture of learning within the local population but also attracted visitors from far away lands.

This shows that quality education has a significant potential of enhancing a country’s engagement with the rest of the world. It is especially true in today’s world because we are more connected than ever, with ease of movement, and the exposure everyone is seeking to understand global issues. As India continues to grow economically and politically, the role of education in shaping its future becomes increasingly critical.

Current State of Education in India

Since the time of Independence, when most of the Indian population was not literate, we have come a long way and have made impressive progress in this field. However, even after all these decades, several challenges remain. According to UNICEF, poor quality education in India is leading to poor learning outcomes, pushing children out of the education system and leaving them vulnerable to child labour, abuse and violence.

Not just that, while India has built good infrastructure to match its growing demands for quality education, the implementation remains lacklustre. The Annual Status of Education Research (ASER) has shown a grim picture year-on-year about the level of learning in students enrolled in public-funded schools across the country. Additionally, the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2017 revealed that only 45.2% of students achieved the targeted performance levels across all subjects and classes at the national level.

It is also true that many Indian students are preferring to go abroad for higher education because of an extremely strict competition for seats in premiere institutions like IITs, IIMs and AIIMS. There is an urgent need to develop more such institutions to fulfil the demands of a growing population.

Link between Quality Education and Global Engagement

First and foremost, when an individual receives quality education, they are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies that are needed to thrive in a constantly evolving world. The need for newer skills keeps coming up in our globalised world because of constantly changing technology and the requirements of the world.

It is through quality education that critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities are fostered. These are essential for innovation and economic growth. Moreover, education promotes an understanding of diverse cultures and helps build tolerance among individuals. This is extremely important for global engagement and learning effectively from individuals coming from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

This is why the National Education Policy (NEP) of India also highlights the importance of making education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, aligned with the needs of the 21st century. It aims to bring out the unique capabilities of each student. The policy also aspires to elevate the learning standards of Indians to match the international levels in order to transform India into a hub of excellence.

Challenges in Achieving Quality Education

There are a number of challenges that hinder the process of achieving quality education in India. Let us look at them individually–

  1. Infrastructural challenges – While India has made a lot of progress in this area, there are still institutions, both schools and colleges, that lack basic facilities like adequate classrooms, clean drinking water, desks for students, and functional and clean toilets. This makes it difficult for students to receive quality education, especially girl students who need access to properly functioning toilets because of their specific needs. In today’s world, where smart classrooms are becoming essential in schools and colleges, this huge digital divide exacerbates the inequalities.
  2. Quality of teachers – Over the years, several media reports have suggested that the quality of teaching in many schools across the country is not at par with basic standards. Rote learning approach continues to dominate where students are more focused on scoring good marks rather than learning the necessary skills and building qualities among them. Therefore, the need is for training the teachers in newer pedagogical methods.
  3. Curriculum development – Even today, the curriculum in many schools and universities across India is not aligned with the requirements of industry and society. This creates a huge gap between what is being taught in the classroom and what the students need to function effectively in the real world. There is an urgent need to revamp the curriculum to align it with the requirements of the changing world.
  4. Equity and inclusion – Even today, students belonging to marginalised sections of the society and those from economically weaker backgrounds do not have easy access to education which is available to those coming from privileged backgrounds. This creates a significant barrier in the paths of a large majority. Therefore, the need is to promote inclusive education in the country.

Role of Higher Education

While school education is essential for building the right foundation, higher education plays a pivotal role in preparing the individuals for thriving in the world. This is why the NEP 2020 emphasises the need for multidisciplinary and holistic education, institutional autonomy, and the promotion of quality research through the establishment of the National Research Foundation.

It is needed that higher education institutions actively focus on international partnerships and collaborations to facilitate exchange of knowledge, research and best practices among students and faculty. This is how India can play an active role in the global knowledge economy. For instance, the IITs and IIMs have established partnerships with leading global universities, enhancing their research capabilities and global standing.

Conclusion

Quality education is essential for India’s development and its engagement with the global community. India can achieve educational excellence by investing in education, enhancing teacher quality, reforming curriculum and pedagogy, addressing infrastructure deficiencies, promoting equity and inclusion, and strengthening higher education. Further, this can drive economic growth, foster cultural exchange and equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to address global challenges. As India continues to grow and evolve, quality education will play a pivotal role in shaping its future and enhancing its global engagement.

Categories
Girl Child

What can CSR programs do for girl child education in India?

CSR initiatives can boost Girl Child Education in India

When you ask young girls about their dreams, many say, doctor, teacher, policewoman, actress, or air hostess. Dreams don’t get fulfilled on their own. They need grit, determination, solid support, and mainly, resources that will embolden them to dream yet bigger.

For girls of low-income families in India, these dreams remain distant without education. Education not only ensures that they get livelihood opportunities to make their lives better, but in the process, makes them better humans too by teaching important life lessons. 

Even today, girl child education in India stands at 62.3 % – a number not so promising when you compare it with other nations. The situation is alarming for girls in rural India, who still don’t get to complete their education because of societal pressure, dropping out of school due to financial constraints of the family, child marriage and lack of access to hygiene products. 

Looking at this, one can understand that the future of girl child education is still navigating uncertain challenges. The pressing question is: When will these girls have the opportunity to dream of becoming something in their lives? Will they confidently see themselves as doctors, engineers, teachers, air hostesses, pilots, or even politicians?

The Government of India through its changing political alliances and faces has implemented policies to ensure every girl child exercises her fundamental right to education and empowerment. Initiatives like “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” promote gender equality and education, addressing issues like female foeticide and improving school access nationwide. Additionally, schemes such as the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana encourage financial savings for girl child education. The CBSE Udaan Scholarship supports meritorious girls in STEM preparing them well for their careers.

The National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education aims to increase enrollment and retention rates through incentives. Furthermore, the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme establishes residential schools in rural areas to provide educational opportunities for underserved girls. These efforts aim to bridge the gap in access to quality education, opening up pathways for girls that restricted and caged them taking away their decision-making power in the past.

Another question arises out of this situation – Is this enough to empower all the underserved girls of India with the power of quality education and vocational skills? 

CSR in India- The hope of underserved girls of India

Corporate social responsibility programs by some big players like KC Mahindra Education Trust in partnership with Naandi Foundation, provide comprehensive support to underprivileged girls including academic resources, school supplies and digital tablets with educational content. The project emphasises community engagement to promote girl child education and has significantly reduced dropout rates with a high retention rate of 90%. Over 350,000 girls have benefited, showing improved learning outcomes and fostering a safer educational environment.

Furthermore, The Girl Child Education Programme (GCEP) by IIMPACT, supported by Konecranes and Demag Private Limited, focuses on empowering girls aged 06-14 with quality primary education up to fifth grade in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. It has transformed attitudes towards girl education in rural communities, encouraging greater parental and community support. 

Concurrently, Intuit RISE, Intuit India’s CSR initiative, sponsors education for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those from dysfunctional or single-parent families. To educate 1000 girls, the program not only provides academic support but also aims to dismantle societal barriers. The initiative fosters aspirations among girls to become change-makers, offering mentorship from female engineers at Intuit, and highlighting opportunities in tech fields. As 215 girls have already completed their 10th standard under the program, it underscores a commitment to creating educational opportunities and empowering girls to thrive as leaders in society.

Such CSR programs have become the cornerstone of CSR in India. Their positive impact has not only empowered the lives of thousands of underserved girls in India, but has also become a guiding force for many other corporates to dive into the pool of CSR NGO partnerships to amplify their efforts towards boosting female literacy. 

How should CSR programs invest in girl child education?

The focus should be on creating an ecosystem where girls feel safe, confident and motivated to complete their education – all leading to self-reliance.

For example, CSR initiatives for developing girls education in India can be strategised in the following ways-

  • Developing Infrastructural Support 

In rural India, schools often lack adequate infrastructure, particularly for girls. Corporates can improve this through CSR initiatives like digital libraries, solar-powered structures, rainwater harvesting and hygienic washrooms. These upgrades create a conducive environment for girls to focus on learning comfortably.

In Meghalaya, through our CSR partnership, we are equipping schools with solar panels and digital classrooms through which all students, including girls get an environment that helps them to achieve holistic learning. 

  • Digital Access & STEM Education

By investing in technology and educational programs, CSR empowers girls with digital skills, preparing them for STEM and broader career opportunities, and inducing long-term socio-economic empowerment.

Understanding the importance of STEM education and digital education, Smile Foundation and Grant Thornton Bharat have partnered to empower young minds through STEM labs, interactive classes, teacher training, career counseling and health education that will help several girl students with quality education in a safe and supportive environment.

  • Vocational Education 

With the introduction of NEP 2020, the Indian education system now emphasises blending theoretical knowledge with vocational training for job-readiness. Corporates with a bent towards gender-focused thematic areas should partner with vocational programs to empower rural girls with skills for dignified earning and self-reliance.

Project Manzil, a collaboration between IPE Global Limited and Smile Foundation, stands out as a leading girls-centric vocational training initiative in India. It has trained numerous young girls in Rajasthan with skills in IT, healthcare, beauty & wellness, tourism and hospitality.

Rekha Prajapati, successfully trained under Project Manzil, exemplifies its impact. Overcoming challenges, she pursued vocational hospitality training and now works at a hospital in Rajasthan, free from the shadows of social evils, with hope for a sustainable future for herself and her family.

CSR NGO Partnership with Smile

CSR programs advance girl child education in India by addressing barriers like access to quality education and socio-economic empowerment. Through partnerships with Smile Foundation, corporates can effectively implement initiatives that provide educational opportunities, vocational training and life skills to underserved girls, liberating them from societal constraints.

Our framework around transparency, accountability and impact assessment ensures that CSR funds are utilised efficiently, making a significant difference in the lives of many girls across India. We believe that when girls go to schools and colleges, they change the world. Help our girls do better and see them giving their best.

Categories
Education Women Empowerment

Major Problems of Women Education in India

Problems of Girl Child Education in India
Problems of Girl Child Education in India

We educate women because it is smart. We educate women because it changes the world. – Drew Faust

Our attention is instantly drawn to the issue of women’s education in India. Due to conservative traditionalism, the standing of women has always been viewed next to than that of men in our nation.

Because of the reliance of women on males for financial support (families didn’t think its important to provide education to girls), they were mostly seen as subservient to men. Despite the fact that women are now increasingly accorded the same status as males, the majority of them continue to live in abject ignorance. More women than men suffer from ignorance and illiteracy, and this scourge is particularly pervasive in rural areas and underdeveloped communities.

Role of Indian Women

Women have a crucial role in fostering civic virtues, reviving the economy, and enacting social changes, as is becoming increasingly clear. Recently, more emphasis is placed on their education due to the rapidly changing situations in the nation. Despite several commissions and committees being occasionally created who give recommendations to address the issues with of women education, several issues still persist in that area.

The primary issues with their schooling are:

(i) An appropriate curriculum for women education

(ii) Lack of social awareness in women

(iii) A lack of female teachers

(iv) Absence of adequate physical infrastructure

(v) Unwillingness of female instructors to work in remote locations;

(vi) Financial challenges

(vii) Transportation issue

(viii) Issue of stagnation and waste

(ix) Issue with co-education

(x) Lack of excitement and attention on the part of the education officials

Problems of Girl Child Education in India

The education of women and girls is essential to the prosperity of a country. The actions done to advance and broaden their education should not be neglected for want of funds. It must be kept in mind that there is still a significant achievement disparity between the schooling of boys and girls, and that in India, the mother serves as the central character of the home. She is essential to our way of life. Therefore, it is crucial that the programmes incorporated for women and girls remain in place.

There is a close connection between the educational process, social and economic life of a nation. Every woman should receive training on how to earn a decent livelihood and life her life to her fullest potential.

In a nation as impoverished as India, there should be zero tolerance for training waste. In recent years, Indian women have experienced a significant awakening. Women’s education is progressing gradually in spite of all barriers and challenges.

They are starting to have an impact on world events. Equal rights are demanded across the nation. In fact, it is pretty evident that there is a huge difference in the education levels of men and women, which has to be closed as quickly as possible.

Our daughters are extremely gifted mentally, physically and emotionally, but these talents must be nurtured and maintained until they reach their full potential as brainy women who look beautiful because of their relentless efforts and perseverance.

Smile Foundation and Women Empowerment

There may be a broader list of problems of girl child education in India that affect how women and girls participate in schools. But India is doing everything in its power to change the numbers. Women won’t stay behind anymore.

Smile Foundation has its own strategy to combat the challenges faced by women in education. It is doing a lot of work to promote women empowerment.

Categories
Education Girl Child Health Livelihood

Improving Education of Slum Children

Improving Education of Slum Children

Education is an opportunity through which society and its people are empowered. It is a tool for economic advancements. Education aids in the social, emotional, and psychological growth of individuals and hence, the community as a whole. However, not all have been able to reap the benefits of the existing education system.

Slum children’s education in India in this context remains a burning issue. A lot of factors combine together, in keeping more than half of India’s school-going children out of school.

Slum Children in India

According to the Census 2011, there are 13.7 million slum households across 63% of India’s towns. The residents of these households include migrants, half of them being among the poorest of the poor. More than eight million children under 6 years live in approximately 49,000 slums. There are 22.72 million children (age group 5-18) living in urban slums who are out of school.*

The migrant population in India is mostly illiterate and constantly on the move, in search of new livelihood opportunities.  Migrant children move with their parents and often lose out on age-appropriate educational opportunities. Often they engage in labor to escape poverty and support their parents.

Access to early childhood care, balanced nutrition, education, health, and recreational facilities are keys to the positive development of children.  However, in places where clean drinking water and two square meals are a struggle, slum children’s education, health and other contributing factors for development will always take a backseat.

Problems in Education of Slum Children

The Right to Education Act 2009 was expected to bring a huge surge of enrolment in urban and rural schools. However, after more than a decade there are millions of children who are out of school in India, most live in urban slums and remote rural areas. A higher proportion of girl children (3.23%)  are out of school than boys (2.77%).

Girls in slums and rural areas are out of school as they are engaged in domestic work or do not go to school to take care of the younger siblings. Boys drop out of school to supplement household incomes. Lack of healthcare facilities, absence of toilets in schools, and lack of proper nutrition also lead to an increase in drop-out rates.

Focusing on Girl Child and Women Education

The cycle of illiteracy will continue if proper steps are not taken in time to reduce drop-out rates, increase enrollment and encourage girl child education and slum children’s education. Mother is a child’s first teacher. When mothers remain uneducated they cannot fully comprehend the value of education for their children. Children of educated mothers have better access to education, proper nutrition, and timely healthcare needs like timely immunization against various diseases.

Health, Education, and Empowerment

Smile Foundation’s vision is to work as a catalyst in bringing sustainable change in the lives of non-privileged children, youth, and women, with a life-cycle approach to development.

The life-cycle approach of development starts with opening the doors of education for slum children, the underprivileged. Smile Foundation’s Mission Education focuses on bringing out-of-school children under the folds of education. So far, more than 3,00,000 children have directly benefitted from the programme.

Health Cannot Wait

Under its healthcare campaign, Health Cannot Wait, Smile Foundation’s mobile medical unit, Smile on Wheels addresses the problems of availability and accessibility of proper healthcare services for children and women, especially in urban slums and rural areas. Health camps are conducted for school-going children. The programme has so far provided free healthcare services to more than 1.5 Million children and families.

Training for Empowerment and Employment

Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman programme works extensively with adolescent girls, young and expecting mothers. Scholarships are also provided to bright young girls who perform exceptionally well in school. Healthcare services; ante-natal and post-natal care are provided to women. Adolescent girls are provided with sanitary napkins to break the stigma around periods and also to encourage attendance at school.

The STeP programme ensures young students from slums and rural areas who drop out of school receive skill training. This is done to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of skilled manpower in the fast emerging services and retail sectors of modern India. More than 75,000 youth have been trained through the e-learning programme and 47,000 have also been placed in over 400 brands. 71 percent of total beneficiaries were girls.

Categories
Education

Power of Gen Next: Role of Children as Changemakers

World Environment Day 2023
World Environment Day 2023

Change is in the air! Around the world, more and more children are taking action to make the world a better place. They are harnessing the power of Gen Next to create meaningful and lasting change in their communities and beyond. Let’s make changemakers through girl child education India!

From organizing marches and protests to advocating for social justice and environmental protection, these young changemakers are leading the way toward a brighter future. By harnessing the power of Gen Next, we can empower children to become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond, and create a world that works for everyone.

In this blog, we will discuss the important role of children as changemakers, and explore how to unleash the power of Gen Next to create meaningful and lasting change.

What is Gen Next?

The term Gen Next refers to the next generation, in particular, the rising generation of young people aged 18-24 years old. Gen Next is often understood as the cohort born between 1995 and 2011 but is also used to refer to any person aged 18 and under.

This is because youth are often under-represented in decision-making processes, and have fewer opportunities to influence policy and decision-making.

This term emerged in the 1990s in response to the growing impact of young people and the changing nature of youth culture and is now widely used to describe young people as agents of positive change. Gen Next has been described as “a mass of connected, empowered individuals who expect to be heard, want to be involved, and want to make a difference in their own lives and in the world”.

Role of Children as Changemakers

Children and young people have been taking action to make their communities and the world a better place. But more and more children are taking action as Gen Next, and are increasingly recognized as leaders and changemakers. There are many examples of children as changemakers across the world and across different issue areas, from climate change to education, human rights to gender equality, and health to peacebuilding.

As Gen Next grows, there is a need for children and youth to be involved in decision-making processes. More and more children and young people are taking action to ensure their voices are heard and are becoming agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.

Children and young people have different perspectives than adults, and Gen Next has something to offer everyone. By involving children and young people in social change, we can harness the power of Gen Next to create meaningful and lasting change in communities, and create a world that works for everyone.

Children as Changemakers

Children and young people around the world are taking action to make their communities and the world a better place.

Benefits of Involving Children in Social Change

Children and young people have something to offer the world, and there are many benefits of involving children in social change. By including young people in decision-making processes, we can make societies more inclusive and representative of the full diversity of people and views. We can harness their energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to create positive change.

We can also create a cycle of positive change that will continue through future generations. This also helps children develop critical thinking and life skills, including problem-solving and decision-making skills. Children are eventually also able to develop empathy and a sense of responsibility for their communities and society.

Ways to Involve Children in Social Change

There are many ways to involve children in social change.

  1. Organize events that bring together community members, including children and young people, to discuss issues and find solutions together.
  2. Include children in social media campaigns and online discussions to engage with policymakers and decision-makers, and help them understand child perspectives.
  3. Hire and engage child-staff members to help with research, communications, and other tasks related to your organization.
  4. Organize events that give children the opportunity to engage with local policymakers on issues that matter to them.
  5. Engage children in creative and artistic forms of social change, such as writing, poetry, and art.

Encouraging Children to Become Changemakers

Ideas to encourage children to become changemakers.

  1. Include children in decision-making processes and give them opportunities to engage with policymakers on issues that matter to them.
  2. Create inclusive spaces where children and young people share their ideas and are heard.
  3. Appoint child ambassadors and child spokespeople to help amplify children’s voices and put them in the spotlight.
  4. Promote and celebrate children as changemakers and role models.
  5. Organize workshops and special events to engage children in social change and give them the opportunity to lead and take action.

Challenges of Involving Children in Social Change

There are many challenges to involving children in social change. Here are a few:

  1. Child participation in policymaking processes may be limited because of their limited access to decision-making processes and resources. – Some adults in society may be skeptical of the ability of children and young people to contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes.
  2. There may be a lack of space for children and young people to share their ideas and be heard.
  3. There may be a lack of representation of children and young voices in social change. To bridge the gap, let’s focus on girl child education India!

Conclusion

Children have always played an important role in social change, but with the rise of Gen Next, their role is becoming increasingly important. By unleashing the power of Gen Next, we can create a world that works for everyone, and more children can become changemakers.

Girl child education India is important in unlocking the potential of young changemakers. Smile Foundation wants to contribute to the making of young changemakers. Learn here!

Categories
Education

Equality and Education for Girl Child

Equality and Education for Girl Child

To educate girls is to lead the way to prosperity. It is the best way to reduce inequalities and build communities. When we educate girls we also take a step towards reducing poverty. But around the world girl, children face discrimination in various forms. Girls do not receive adequate nutrition; they have less or no access to healthcare and there is a huge gap in the education for girls. According to a UN report, 132 million girls are currently out of school. Some of the main reasons which act as barriers for girl child education are poverty, gender bias, gender-based violence as well as lack of proper sanitation facilities in schools, etc. In India as per census, 2011 female literacy rates have increased from 18.33 percent in 1951 to 74.00 percent in 2011. But the problems that girls face to get an education still remain the same.

Challenges to Girl Child Education

Gender Discrimination in India

Girls in India face discrimination both inside their homes and outside in their communities. Inequality in India means unequal opportunities for girls. India is the only country in the world where the mortality of girls under- 5 years exceeds that of boys.*  Girls are encouraged and also engaged more in household work and drop out of school at an early age. Most of the time their movements are restricted to get an education and engage in social exchanges.

Poverty

Poverty and gender-based preference are two of the main challenges which impact girl child education. Girls are forced to stay at home or engage in daily wage labor to contribute to the income of the house.  According to a UN report, every year more than 1.5 million girls in India are married before they turn 18. They are not allowed to go to school after marriage. Eventually, these young girls become mothers at an early age which has adverse effects on the health of both mother and child.

Distance from Home

Even though 80 percent of schools in India are in the country’s villages, most of them are non-functional. There is a severe lack of teachers, proper teaching-learning facilities, and infrastructure. Children in rural areas often have to walk a long distance to reach school in a different village or city. Due to fear of harassment and violence against girls, most parents prefer to not send their girls to school.

Lack of Toilets in Schools

In developing countries like India, a lack of separate toilets for girls and boys is one of the top barriers to education. Adolescent girls frequently miss school due to hygiene-related problems and eventually drop out. Schools do not provide sanitary napkins due to extreme taboo which often lead to girls of menstruating age dropping out of school.

Smile Foundation Interventions

Girl Child Education

Smile Foundation works extensively in the field of girl child education and health. With 240 Mission education centers across 23 states of India, the organization has ensured education for every child, especially girl children. Counseling sessions are held for parents to help them understand the benefits of education for their girls. Women and adolescents girls are counseled on a routine basis on the need and importance of personal hygiene. Special sessions are conducted with mothers to reduce sex-selective discrimination. Male members of the families are educated to encourage their girls to continue their education. Young girls are trained to become confident, self-reliant and lead the way forward for nation-building.

To support girl child education, nutrition, and health visit https://donate.smilefoundationindia.org/she-can-fly

*https://data.unicef.org/country/ind/

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