“Footpathshala” – A Scalable Solution for Bringing Teaching to Kids
Problem Description & Solution Approach:
India, a developing country, faces an education crisis. Nearly one in four people are below 14, making initiatives for this age group crucial for the country’s future. Out of the students in 5th grade, more than 50% are unable to read and understand a 2nd- grade text; nor can they solve a simple math problem. Of students in 1st grade, about 16% cannot read the text given to them, while 40% are unable to recognize and understand letters. With research around the world pointing to 90% of brain development occurring by 5 years old, schooling and education are crucial for the young future of India.
Despite the importance of education for children, many roadblocks prevent them from attaining it. For example, students need a source of transportation to and from the school. Although the nearest school might be a short 15 to 20-minute walk from one’s home, these children are too young even to do so.
Lastly, there is pressure placed on parents. Many parents work long hours to provide for their families, making it hard for them to focus on their child’s education and how it can be provided. However, these problems are significantly worse for children living on streets and even footpaths. For the majority of their childhood, they are forced to beg for food and money, often facing indifference.
Solution & Approach
UPAY’s solution is titled “Footpathshala” which brings education to kids living on the streets. Founded by an IIT Alumni, Footpathshala has grown into a scalable model and reliable solution to get education
across India. The teaching done through this program takes place in a physical space provided by a small business or retail center. Then, high school and college students spend many hours a day teaching a group of 20 to 30 children. Footpathshala promotes the spirit of “paying it forward” with many former students returning to teach kids; this cycle contributes to the scalable and innovative model.
The model of Footpathshala is unique. Many of these students learning here cannot benefit from the regular teaching at a school. Hence, Footpathshala is an unconventional education model with
more activity-based learning. To display the potential these kids embody, the program has made a one-time investment in handbooks and academic material. In addition, the program provides vocational training to prepare students for the future. Lastly, Footpathshala encompasses all of these principles with flexible timing to ensure easy accessibility and an inclusive, yet enjoyable, learning environment for students to thrive. To address the problems that many students have in obtaining an education, UPAY has spearheaded other initiatives to contribute to the betterment of Footpathshala. For example, they have invented “Technology-enabled Philanthropy for Rural Transformation” and established sabkasaman.com, a non-profit e-commerce marketplace that allows poor artisans to sell their products to provide for their families. This allows parents to have another source of income and focus on their kid’s education.
Technology/Innovation:
In developing the scalable model that Footpathshaala operates on, numerous innovative ideas were
implemented. Firstly, instead of renting or buying a space for teaching, education takes place in areas
provided by local businesses and centers. This innovative approach allows for cost efficiency and the
model’s scalability. In addition, the high school and college students who teach the kids are given a small stipend. This is to keep them motivated in this journey of being an instructor. Lastly, the spirit of “paying it forward” is represented by former students teaching the next generation. Overall, the combination of these innovative ideas defines the proven and scalable model that Footpathshala is.
Achievements to-date
- * Footpathshala has expanded to 46 centers in 8 different states including remote ones like Meghalaya.
- * Footpathshala has resulted in an 80% rise in girl child enrollment, compounded by a 75% rise in academic performance.
- * Over 200 students graduate from Footpathshala every year, with around 100 scholarships delivered yearly.
- * Operate with the volunteers and staff; over 7,000 citizens volunteered in various parts of India to make this a reality.
- * The importance of “paying it forward” is demonstrated with over 320 students returning to become teachers or mentors.
Scale of Opportunity
Footpathshala has already changed the lives of thousands of kids across India. However, their determination to reach even more will be spearheaded in 2024 and 2025. Specifically, Footpathshala wants to impact the lives of 15,000 children and youth. This is compounded by the 1,000 youth they wish to empower through different skill training opportunities. Lastly, they look to expand their current 47 locations to 50, allowing their impact to reach more kids than before. By leveraging their vast network of IIT Alumni, WHEELS will introduce Footpathshala’s proven model to other impactful education entities to accelerate the process of providing education to more kids across India.
WGF leaders providing oversight:
Dr. Kannan Moudgalya, Ratan Agarwal
Call To Action
Education being one of the focus areas of WHEELS, here is a request to WHEELS Global Foundation members and IIT Alumni to come forward and use their network to help scale the Education solutions so it can achieve its goals.
This could be in the form of spreading the awareness and usage of the solution catalyzing the network of educational institutions, identifying sources of value that may be integrated with Upay to enhance the richness of its contents or any other means. With the upliftment of the education level of the students, in collaboration with Upay, we can ensure knowledge dissemination and communication among the students based in the remotest part of the country.
