An Engaging Day with the ILP Chennai Staff

By Aravindan

Earlier this year in June, Bharathy and I had the unique opportunity to visit ILP Chennai’s office in Chitlapakkam, Chennai and meet the staff who work very hard to make ILP’s vision of a “A catalyst for 100% literate and educated India” a reality.

What impressed me the most was the varied education and experience levels of the staff members. We met staff members who were with ILP for less than a year and others who have been there for much longer. They are a mix of educators, social work/NGO professionals, engineers, technology, and science enthusiasts. Whatever their background and experience, I could sense their passion in achieving ILP’s reach in schooling, learning, and earning.

After walking us through the different projects they are working on and the practical challenges they face on the ground, it made me even more appreciative of the work they do.

In addition to ILP, there are many more NGOs in the field of education with the similar goal for an educated India. To better understand what motivates our ILP Chennai staff, I asked a very simple question – What is unique about ILP that motivates you to be associated with ILP? 

Here is a summary of the observations made by the ILP Chennai staff– 

  • ILP has a clear vision that is not short-term focused. The program is more comprehensive and sustainable with focus on the long-term success of today’s students
  • This is the reason, ILP is usually engaged in a project for at least a few years and does not have projects of shorter duration
  • The ILP programs are not a replacement for what is taught today in government schools. Instead, it augments the current school curriculum
  • Unlike other NGOs, ILP empowers teachers through training and does not seek to substitute or replace them
  • ILP programs are made available to all students in a school. It is not focused on a few students or target groups
  • Regular follow-up with the teachers and students is what makes the program successful
  • The noble mission of ILP to reach out to rural and tribal children for the general betterment of the society is commendable
  • The broad range of educational aids through MDLS, science kits, libraries and career guidance make the ILP approach well thought through
  • Innovation with hands-on science kits and comprehensive career guidance based on the student’s aptitude and interest prompted some government agencies to borrow ILP’s ideas
  • Transparency, accountability, and sustainability are the key values that the staff members are very appreciative of

Thanks to Padmaja and Ranga for arranging this visit. In future, I hope to meet with the staff members from the other ILP chapters in India and learn from their experiences.