Page 74 - EW November 2023
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People
Go-getting philanthropist pupil interaction more engaging and
enjoyable, a strategy devised by Anu-
pama, also an alumna of GB Pant
University of Agriculture & Technol-
ogy and a qualified special educator.
Subsequently in 2015, the founda-
tion designed its Sampark Smart
ShalaTM (SSS), a unique low-cost
programme to improve children’s
learning outcomes. The SSS kit
comprises 16 components includ-
ing a rechargeable audio device
— a voice mascot named Sampark
Didi — which delivers 112 carefully
researched lessons. The foundation’s
objective is to scale the programme
to reduce the cost to $1 per child per
year. In 2022 the foundation rolled
out Sampark TV in 25,000 govern-
ment schools. The duo is committed
to invest $100 million (Rs.820 crore)
in the foundation.
Direct talk. “To implement SSS
effectively, we trained teachers in the
Nayar: enjoyable technology utilisation strategy SSS app Sampark TV, and activity-
based pedagogy. Our tag line is sahi
orporate captain turned Gorakhpur and 68 in Chargawan dis- kram, sahi dang (right sequence,
philanthropist VINEET NAYAR tricts were equipped with LED TVs right methodology) which translates
Cis founder-chairman of the and maths and English learning kits. into equipping teachers with skills
Noida-based Sampark Foundation History. An alumnus of GB Pant to improve the learning outcomes
(estb.2005), an NGO working to- University of Agriculture & Technol- of pupils. Moreover, we have
wards improving learning outcomes ogy and XLRI Jamshedpur, Nayar deployed TV screens in classrooms
in government primary schools in signed up with HCL Technologies to empower teachers to deliver
eight states across the country. Over in the company’s infancy in 1985, engaging and immersive lessons,”
the past 18 years since it was regis- steadily rose up the ranks and was says Nayar, who adds that there’s
tered, the foundation has positively appointed CEO in 2007. During his been a dramatic decrease in dropout
impacted 10.49 million children and six-year term HCL’s sales rev- rates in targeted government schools
trained 672,000 teachers in 1.23 lakh enue rose from Rs.16,600 crore in after implementation of the Sampark
government schools. 2007-08 to Rs.41,500 crore and the programme.
The foundation works in eight company’s market cap from $0.7 bil- Future plans. Enthused by the
states — Himachal Pradesh, Utta- lion (Rs.5,250 crore) in 2005 to $4.7 success of Sampark TV in public
rakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, billion in 2013. schools, the duo plans to extend
Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh In 2005, at the instance of his it to select budget private schools.
and Maharashtra — without levying school teacher-mother Janak Nayar “Initially we will deploy our
any charge to the states or pupils. (1936-2017), Vineet and his wife Sampark TV programmes in 15,000
Currently, the foundation has 800 ANUPAMA registered the Sampark budget private schools and 50,000
field staff who monitor and facilitate Foundation with the objective of government schools free-of-charge.
its learning improvement pro- improving education standards in If India is to become a $5 trillion
gramme in 123,500 schools in eight government schools. Until 2013, the economy by 2025, education has
states. foundation funded approved projects to move centrestage in the national
Newspeg. In July, Yogi Adityanath, of NGOs. But, after a thorough political discourse, and we need to
chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, impact study indicated marginal invest a lot more in the education of
inaugurated the Sampark Smartsha- impact, the foundation resolved to our children and youth,” says Nayar.
la-Smart Block programme, under adopt a more hands-on approach Words of wisdom indeed.
which 58 government schools in using technology to make teacher- Autar Nehru (Delhi)
74 EDUCATIONWORLD NOVEMBER 2023