International Day of Education
Today, January 24th, marks the International Day of Education, a day designated by the United Nations to celebrate education's importance and recognise its role in building a better world. In India, education is considered a fundamental right and is seen as a means to empower individuals and communities.
Access to education, however, remains a challenge in India. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2020, nearly one in four children in the age group of 14-18 years is out of school. This is particularly true for children from marginalised communities, such as those living in rural areas or belonging to scheduled tribes or castes.
To address this issue, the government of India has launched several initiatives, such as the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Right to Education Act, to ensure that all children have access to education. Additionally, private organisations and NGOs like ours have also been working towards increasing access to education, particularly for girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Despite these efforts, the quality of education in India remains a concern. The ASER 2020 report also highlighted that more than half of all children in standard 5 cannot read a standard 2 level text, and only one in four children in standard 8 can solve a simple division problem. This highlights the need for resources to improve the quality of education.
But how do we do that? What does India really need to improve its education system?
There are several nonprofits working alongside the government plan to provide quality curricular education, reduce teacher absenteeism, and increase the overall attendance of children and the infrastructure of schools.?
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But who makes learning fun? What makes children intrinsically motivated to continue learning? And who teaches children to learn, the 21st-century way?
That’s where we come in. Learning Yogi Foundation, an Indian nonprofit committed to making learning fun through our educational game - Atlas Mission. Our vision is simple - to create a world in which every child in India, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, gets access to high-quality education that will enable them to thrive in today's world.?
Learning through games can be particularly beneficial for underserved children, as it can provide them with an enjoyable and engaging way to learn that is tailored to their individual needs and abilities. Games can help to level the playing field for underserved children by providing them with an opportunity to learn and succeed in a fun and supportive environment.
In addition to providing underserved children with an enjoyable and engaging way to learn, games can also help to foster a sense of accomplishment and success, which can boost their confidence and self-esteem. This can be particularly important for underserved children, who may have faced challenges and setbacks in their lives.
When children are having fun, they are more likely to be motivated to learn and to retain the information that they are learning. It often involves problem-solving and critical thinking, which can help children develop important life skills and can be a great way for children to learn social skills, such as taking turns, following rules, and working with others. Games can be tailored to children's individual needs and abilities, so children can learn at their own pace and can be a useful tool for teaching children about a wide range of subjects, including math, science, language arts, and social studies.
Overall, while progress has been made in expanding access to education in India, there is still a long way to go in ensuring that all children have access to quality education that is inclusive and promotes values of equality. On this International Day of Education, let us recommit ourselves to working towards a future where every child in India has the opportunity to learn and reach their full potential.