Nurturing current ventures and expanding horizons
By Suyash Nigam
In this Newsletter we are starting a new series that presents projects we are embarking on whilst ensuring the success of our existing projects in each of the geographies we serve in. In the first of this series we draw attention to our efforts in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
ILP spent the better half of last year strengthening its existing initiatives, collaborating with new and current corporate partners, and expanding it’s outreach programs amongst new districts and states. Here are some of the highlights from the latter half of 2021.
1. Initiatives in Kalyan, Karnataka : The Government of Karnataka has set up a special board to cater the upliftment of 7 most underdeveloped districts of the state belonging to the Kalyan region. One of the major issues which this board is undertaking is education. ILP has signed a MOU with the Government, in partnership with Dell’s CSR outreach to undertake a program which impacts more than 1200 schools. Some of the features of this program are as follows :
a) Internet and communication technology: School students belonging to classes 8th and above are exposed to and taught practical computer science. 30 + video tools in Kannada language have been developed matching the specifications provided by the Department of education. Training is also being provided to teachers in order to equip them with the ability to bridge the gap for students who are not acquainted with computers.
b) Career guidance: Students belonging to these districts have very limited knowledge of their future career opportunities. Through the networks of Gram Panchayat libraries, high school youth are provided information regarding various paths they can take towards joining the workforce.
c) Digital content: Content encompassing key subjects, developed by various ILP programs, have been made available and a dedicated staff of 21 youngsters, with college degrees in computer application have been trained for the task of supporting, maintaining and upgrading computer laboratories of the schools in the region.
2. Yadgir: Through CSR initiatives of ELLUCIAN, a multi dimensional education initiative was launched in December 2021, and is currently underway in over 50 schools. As part of the initiative, many of IL’s programs such as smart classrooms, digital content, science kits, social science studies through the use of Google Earth are being enabled in these schools.
3. Tumkur: ILP launched a first of a kind initiative in a consortium with DIET (District Institution of Educational Training) and Department of Education, to provide existing ILP modules of teacher training, career guidance, and digital learning tools in all districts of Tumkur. This initiative was launched by the education minister of Karnataka.
4. Chennai Chapter: Post second wave of Covid in India, ILP staff returned to working with communities in person. ILP is working in partnership with several big multinational corporations:
a) STEM outreach through Verizon: A total of 66 schools are supported through this partnership. Science kits are made available to middle school and high school students in addition to science lessons in the vernacular.
b) Career Pathways through HCLF: Offline career guidance is provided to over 400 students ranging across 20 schools.
c) Panchayat libraries through UST Global : 10 Panchayat libraries have been developed in the Madurakantam district, the aim of these libraries is to abridge the learning gap at the village level due to closure of schools during COVID.
d) Government Partnerships: Digital content creation in science and social sciences, in Tamil, for all classes between 5th and 10th is underway. TNSCERT has agreed to vet the content created by ILP by their faculty.
e) MDLS (Multi Dimensional Learning System): Sheshadri Padma Memorial Charitable Trust is supporting ILP’s flagship MDLS project in the Kumbakonam district. This project involves distribution of science kits and digital content, in person career guidance and scholarships.
