Education: the Key to a Better Future

The end of the SSLC (10^th standard) exams often marks the beginning of a new academic path for students, one that may shape their future aspirations forever. Yet it is one of the most stressful periods of a person’s life. The pressure to perform is high and the stakes equally so. These results will be reflected in their academic profile, playing a role in determining their entry into colleges, the courses they may choose and even the career path they may take.
While this period of change is difficult enough in itself, it presents a special challenge to underprivileged children. They must grapple with the crippling reality of poverty along with the problems it presents everyday. And the stakes for them are even higher. Education is the ticket out of poverty. It is the gateway to their dreams.
In order to nurture those dreams into reality, Vidya Akshaya Patra, an educational initiative of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, was developed. The scheme provides students struggling in their academics with remedial coaching classes that are specially designed to help them in their studies.
Vidya Akshaya Patra has been given renewed impetus by Bruhat Bengalooru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the administrative body for the civic and infrastructural assets of Bangalore, which requested The Akshaya Patra Foundation to conduct the scheme in areas of the city that suffer from poor student performance in Board exams.
Nearly 1120 students in 16 schools will benefit from the program, which will provide students with extra classes in Maths, Science, English and Kannada over a period of 107 days lasting till March of 2011.  Teachers specially trained in the subjects will conduct the remedial classes after normal school hours. Regular tests and assessment based coaching will further add value to the students’ learning experience.
The cost of 1.8 lakhs for the program, along with evening snacks to be provided for the children will be borne by Akshaya Patra. The implementing partner of the initiative is Lotus Education Consultants, Bengalooru, a leading educational consultancy in Bangalore.
 “Quality in education contributes significantly to better performance among students.  The extra hours of teaching that we will be enabling, will reinforce what the students have learnt during the school hours, and additionally strengthen their understanding.  This will ultimately lead to academic excellence.  Towards this, we are very honored to partner with BBMP and hope to make a difference to the learning process,” said Chanchala Pati Dasa, Vice chairman of Akshaya Patra.