      info@thinksharpfoundation.

org

Home About Us Our Approach Recognition Gallery  Volunteer Media Blog Donate Now

OUR APPROACH

The Indian school Education System is one of the largest in the world with nearly 14.89 lakh schools, 26.52 crore children, more than 95
lakh teachers and nearly 26.52 Crore students of pre-primary to higher secondary level from varied socio-economic backgrounds from
both urban and rural area. (Source: UDISE 20-21).

Rural education shares big portion in India’s school education with 18.48 crore children studying in 12.34 lakh schools.
Rural education assumes a pivotal role in addressing several of India's critical challenges. The state of rural education serves as a defining
measure of a nation's progress and development.
Gross Enrolment ratio (GER) is increasing trend year on year. For primary 104.8% in 21-22 compared to 101.3% in 18-19. On the one hand,
schooling is continuously improving, on the other hand, the situation with learning basic reading and math skills have remained
persistently low over the years.

THE PROBLEM

In rural areas, the educational landscape faces a critical challenge: According to the ASER 2022 report, only 42.8% of grade V students can
read at a grade II level, and a mere 25.6% can perform division. As we navigate the dynamic 21st century, it's clear that our future
workforce demands skills that transcend foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN).

However, the current state of education presents significant obstacles. Shockingly, more than 21% of schools lack access to even a basic
library, depriving students of essential resources for learning and exploration. Furthermore, an alarming 77% of schools lack proper
computer facilities, impeding students from acquiring vital digital literacy skills.

We recognize the pressing issues that rural schools face, including insu!cient physical and educational infrastructure, a shortage of well-
trained teachers, imbalanced learner-educator ratios, and various other obstacles. These factors collectively contribute to the unfortunate
lack of quality education in rural areas.

The education system in rural India needs of immediate attention and transformation.

StudyMall draws inspiration from the concept of shopping malls, bringing modern education under a single roof. As part of the StudyMall
initiative, we collaborate closely with school authorities, parents, village committees, and other social enterprises. Our collective goal is to
revolutionize village schools into contemporary learning hubs.

Through a fusion of physical, digital infrastructure and trained fellows, StudyMall is dedicated to equipping children with the essential
skills they need for 21st-century education. By leveraging collaborative e"orts, we strive to create an environment where students can
thrive and excel in a rapidly evolving world. Together, we are shaping the future of education in rural communities, one innovative step at
a time.

SOME OF OUR SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Digital Class
Thinksharp Foundation, under the StudyMall program, introduces
the Digital Class initiative to provide quality education through
multimedia/digital learning in rural Government schools.
Interactive digital/multimedia content facilitates easier learning,
sparks curiosity, and fosters greater interest and participation in
the classroom.

Our all-in-one Digital Class solution simplifies digital learning in

rural schools, featuring a projector, TV, or Interactive board with
an inbuilt Window/Android operating system.

Book Mitra
More than 50% of the children in Grade 5 in India cannot read at
Grade 2 level. Children from rural areas and low-income
environments often lack access to books. The library in school
then becomes their sole resource for reading material.

Our modular library, known as Book Mitra, hangs on the wall and
contains 30 to 35 richly illustrated children’s books. This setup
provides children with invaluable physical proximity to printed
books, encouraging them to read and fostering emotional and
intellectual development. Our books are categorized according to
Reading Levels 1 – 4, ranging from Emergent to Fluent, rather than
by age.

The unique format of the library kits invites children to freely

interact with storybooks attractively displayed on the wall, as
opposed to being locked away in a cupboard. We also empower
children with 21st-century skills such as communication, creativity,
and collaboration through various activities, including reading,
writing, storytelling, and role plays.

Computer Mitra
This program is designed to make every rural student (6th Std and
above) enable with computer/IT skills to prepare them for 21st-
century education. Learning computer is always a dream for rural
children. Computer education is not available in rural schools as it
should be. No special trainer, computer machines in schools,
hence children do not have access to learn computer skills at
school or at home.

With Computer Mitra program, now it has been made easy in rural
schools to learn computer skills. Our trainer conducts the 3 to 4
months computer course which teaches computer education
including basics of computer, history, operating system, MS o!ce,
Email, Paint, Typing, and coding. We also enable children with
21st-century skills such as communication, creativity, and
collaboration through various activities using computer skills.

Solar Shala
Solar Shala is a program under the StudyMall project designed to
transform rural schools with solar power. In rural areas, constant
and reliable electricity is always a challenge, especially in schools
where teachers use digital tools and electronic gadgets for
teaching, lighting, and cooling purposes.

Schools face issues with electricity cut-o"s due to non-payment of

monthly charges, technical problems, especially in the rainy
season and during load-shedding times. To overcome these
problems, we have initiated the Solar Shala program, setting up
solar power systems in rural schools to provide uninterrupted
electricity, enabling schools to perform better.

StudyFin
Poverty is one of the big reasons why children drop out from
education. StudyFin project supports to financially disadvantaged
children to pursue school education, vocational education and
university courses. Special emphasis is for the girls who cannot
pursue or have dropped out of the school due to financial
constraints. StudyFin o"ers financial assistance.

We expect Commitment to share regular performance report as

per our terms and conditions and desire to give back to society.
Children who are beneficiaries of our project, after their desired
progression in career, should invest in our project to further help
other financially disadvantaged children in a similar manner.

Thinksharp Rural
Fellowship
Through full time paid fellowship, we will enable every rural child
with 21st century education skills. Fellow will engage for a period
of two years in rural schools.

In short term, our fellows will work as instructor and in long term,
our alumni will become a part of a larger community that will
advocate and work towards improving the rural education. As on
we have 11 fellows working in more than 25 schools in
Maharashtra. Program is designed with support from TFIx (Tech
For India)

Work During Pandemic

As a result of COVID-19, India was put into lockdown. Schools were
closed, and most students had little or no access to technology,
further disabling the chances for an online homeschooling system,
thereby creating a gap in their learning.

Program Home School – Tablet / Smartphone with internet

connectivity and selected educational and communication Apps to
connect children back to the learning process. We provided 40
tablets, benefiting 110 children from two schools to learn online.
We are using Mobile Device Management system to track the uses
and control devices remotely to prevent misuse.

Program Digi Library - Digi Library is a free Android App that

Download Digi Library Download Now provides access to books to inculcate reading habits among
children. This App o"ers books in PDF, Audio, and Video format
and o"ers books in English, Marathi, and Hindi languages. Books
are from various categories such as stories, STEM, history,
biographies, poems, culture, and animal stories. The application
already has 5000+ downloads across the country.

Vidyarath
StudyMall on a wheel aims to enable rural children with 21st-
century skills. It is equipped with a computer lab to learn required
ICT skills, STEM projects for Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math with a practical approach, and a library providing various
books to inculcate reading habits.

This initiative will help children improve their digital and reading
literacy, fostering curiosity for science and engineering concepts.
Additionally, it aims to enhance their academic knowledge through
STEM practical modules.

Currently Vidyarath visit four schools in near Pune. (One day

one school)

STEM Mitra
STEM Mitra (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
education refers to an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and
learning that focuses on integrating these four disciplines. STEM
education programs aim to cultivate students' skills and
knowledge in these areas, preparing them for future careers and
fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and
innovation.

STEM education programs typically involve hands-on, inquiry-

based learning experiences that encourage students to explore
and apply concepts from science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics. These programs often incorporate real-world
challenges, projects, and experiments to engage students in
practical problem-solving and develop their analytical and
practical skills.

Quick Links Useful Links Contact Us

Home Media  Mumbai O!ce : Flat no 1401, Bld NO

4B,Dreams Complex, LBS Road, Bhandup
About Us FAQ West, Mumbai 400 078.

Our Approach Blog  Pune O!ce : CIII Center, S.M Joshi College
Campus, Hadapsar, Pune 411 028.
Recognition Report
 +91 9892742011
Volunteer Mandatory Disclosures  info@thinksharpfoundation.org

 www.thinksharpfoundation.org
Gallery

Subscribe Us Incubation & Knowledge Partner

Your Email Subscribe

Connect With Us

 


    

Copyright ©2021. All Rights Reserved

Privacy policy | Terms Of Service
