Shaping the Future
In a variety of locations and groups, people are redefining education and who it avails benefits from it. They work with empathy, creativity, and resilience, they are changing lives and pushing for progress. Such examples show us that significant progress usually results from one dedicated person.
Are you ready to be part of this wave of transformation?
Read on to meet the individuals shaping tomorrow’s education today—and reflect on how you can contribute to change.
Empowering Girls in Pakistan’s Urban Slums
At age 13, Humaira Bachal began giving lessons to girls in her Lyari home. After dealing with a family tragedy from a lack of literacy, Kadambumi worked to turn her classroom into a school attended by nearly 1,200 students. For only one rupee a day, the school enables students to choose their own time, join computer lessons, and learn reading and writing. Not only has Humaira educated a lot of people, but she has also worked to change societal attitudes, which has given her international attention.
From Backyard Lessons to National Recognition
At the age of nine, a boy named Babar Ali, in West Bengal, began to instruct local children. Combining schooling with teaching, Babar’s efforts evolved into a school with adequate classrooms and a large enrollment. Many people admire his commitment, which highlights the effect grassroots teaching has.
Innovating Education in Nigeria
After identifying educational challenges that are being faced in some rural areas, the Nigerian educational technology entrepreneur Gideon Olanrewaju launched AREAi and DigiLearns to provide support. Sharing learning materials by SMS and USSD with simple mobile phones has enabled his initiative to include thousands of remote students. Gideon’s projects prove that technology helps close educational gaps and boosts chances for underserved groups.
Holistic Learning in Assam
Pranjal Buragohain from Assam’s Dhemaji district set up ‘Vidya,’ which includes school learning, skill building, and emotional development. With about 400 students, the school encourages hands-on learning and education at your speed. Since soap and mat making are taught at ‘Vidya’, students learn how they can work towards success while growing.
Community-Led Transformation in Kenya
To help others in his Kibera slum community, Kennedy Odede launched SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities). From clean water supply, internet, to free education and public healthcare, SHOFCO is providing social services to nearly 2.4 million people. The Kibera School for Girls, a project started early by SHOFCO, shows how committed local projects can help girls succeed as every student went on to secondary school.
Championing Girls’ Education in Refugee Communities
Aqeela Asifi, who had been a teacher, gave up her safety to teach girls in the refugee camps. She launched learning with a temporary tent school, and in the years that followed, she built permanent schools for more than a thousand children. By continually working for refugee rights, Aqeela was given the 2015 Nansen Refugee Award, recognizing how education helps people recover.
Redefining Education in Ladakh
Facing the region’s educational challenges, engineer and reformist Sonam Wangchuk started the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL). SECMOL offers hands-on education in sustainability and has introduced the successful ‘Ice Stupa’ method for saving water. Sonam has won international respect, demonstrated by her award from the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation.
Closing Remarks
They demonstrate that educational change is not limited to reforming laws or adding new technology. It succeeds thanks to those who persist and work hard to provide chances for education. The things they do make us rethink how we contribute to the future of education.
Are you ready to press ahead in your career?
Regardless of who you are, if you care about learning, what you do makes a difference.
Allow these accounts to challenge you to start your own movement for good.
