Author: Pratham Education Foundation

In the village of Harriyapur in Uttar Pradesh, 13-year-old Sumit was more likely to be getting into trouble than attending school. His penchant for mischief was renowned, and the community—including the boy’s parents—had given up on him. He was, as one teacher put it, “on the wrong track.” That was before educator Surendra Kumar invited…

“I want to be a scientist, the one who studies stars,” says 10-year-old Shivam, his eyes sparkling with the hope of pursuing his dreams. But the moment I ask him about school, his smile diminishes. “Acha nahi hai school.” He doesn’t like school. The teachers never have time for him, he explains. No one checks…

It is evening in the outskirts of Hyderabad, where I have come to observe an Urdu learning camp run by a young woman named Sherine. A group of local children and I sit in the small but comfortable room where class is being held. I watch as Sherine engages the kids with stories, discussions and…

Samita Patil is both nervous and excited. She is headed for a job interview with a group of other girls, all hoping to find employment as electricians—typically a man’s field. Three months ago, Samita was living at home with her aunt, uncle and brother in Shahabaz. She had a twelfth-grade education but no clear direction…

Imagine a 12-year-old girl in rural India. She gets up at 5:00 am each day to begin her household chores and finish her homework before school starts. She loves math but struggles with reading. Then, one day, she has to leave. Her father, who works as a laborer, moves his entire family to the city…