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After UPSC Setback, Shruti Helps Rural Children Learn
Shruti Shrivastava tried six times to pass an exam to become a civil servant, but she did not get the result she hoped for.
She then took over a foundation that helps children in rural Madhya Pradesh.
Its Project Neev gives children tablet-based lessons suited to what they already know.
Small groups learn with help from women called Shiksha Saathis, who come from nearby communities.
This gives children extra time to practise reading, English and maths.
The project has reached about 900 children in schools and hostels.
The foundation says many children have moved up in their learning levels.
The women facilitators also earn money and gain confidence through their work.
After six UPSC attempts, Shruti Shrivastava took over Sashaktikaran Foundation in July 2024.
Its Project Neev works across six Madhya Pradesh districts, reaching around 900 children in 10 government schools and nine residential hostels.
Children use tablets and the Chimple learning app in small groups for 30-minute sessions tailored to their individual learning levels.
The foundation employs 30 rural women as Shiksha Saathis, who facilitate lessons and report on children’s progress.
The foundation says 291 children improved at least one Hindi learning level, 327 progressed in English and 355 in mathematics.
- Who
- Shruti Shrivastava, Sashaktikaran Foundation, rural children and women serving as Shiksha Saathis.
- What
- Project Neev provides individualised foundational learning support using tablets and community-based facilitators.
- Where
- Six districts of Madhya Pradesh, across 10 government schools and nine residential hostels.
- When
- The foundation restarted in July 2024; Project Neev launched in October 2024, with field work beginning on 14 November.
- Why
- The project aims to help children learn at their own levels and strengthen government schools, while creating livelihood opportunities for rural women.
Project approach
Challenges and limits
Strengthening public schools
Project approach
Shrivastava says improving government schools from within can create lasting change because they educate most rural children.
Challenges and limits
The article describes schools where one or two teachers handle five grades, leaving limited time and resources to meet each child’s needs.
Using technology for learning
Project approach
The foundation says individual app profiles let children learn at their own level, while facilitators add observations about confidence and understanding.
Challenges and limits
The article notes that app data alone cannot capture how a child learns; the foundation says facilitator observations are equally important.
Key facts
- Project
- Project Neev
- Organisation
- Sashaktikaran Foundation
- Children reached
- Around 900
- Schools and hostels
- 10 government schools and nine residential hostels
- Women facilitators
- 30 rural women, known as Shiksha Saathis
- Session format
- Five children per group, with 30-minute learning sessions
- Reported learning progress
- 291 children advanced at least one Hindi level, 327 in English and 355 in mathematics
Quotes
Shruti Shrivastava
Founder-director of Sashaktikaran Foundation
“Government schools educate the majority of rural children, so creating another system may help a few, but strengthening the existing public system is what creates lasting change.”
thebetterindia.com
“Restarting life at the age of 30 wasn’t easy. I was nervous because I was beginning from scratch.”
thebetterindia.com
Sources
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