Shukla Bose: Teaching one child at a time

Summary

In this inspiring talk, Shukla Bose recounts her transformative journey in education, founding Parikrma Humanity Foundation to serve underprivileged children in Bangalore’s slums. With no academic training, she began by offering education in a rooftop school, aiming to break the cycle of poverty and provide children with opportunities for brighter futures. Despite numerous challenges, Parikrma's unique model, emphasizing quality over scale, has thrived. The foundation focuses on personal growth, nurturing curiosity, and providing resources beyond traditional schooling, enabling children to excel in academics, sports, and life skills. The story emphasizes love, creativity, and the power of education to transform lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The journey of Parikrma Humanity Foundation began from a small, humble initiative at a kitchen table in 2003, aiming to provide education to children in slums.
• 😀 Despite not being trained in academics or social work, the founder transitioned from a corporate career to education, driven by a desire to create change.
• 😀 Parikrma focuses on one child at a time, aiming to provide complete education from school to college and prepare them for a better life, including high-value jobs.
• 😀 The foundation started with its first school in a slum on a rooftop, highlighting the difficult conditions under which the initiative began.
• 😀 Parikrma schools focus on high-quality education, using the ICSE curriculum and English-medium instruction to challenge the myth that children from slums cannot excel academically.
• 😀 There is a misconception that parents from slums are not interested in their children's education. However, Parikrma found that parents are highly motivated and eager to support their children’s education.
• 😀 The foundation has seen impressive results, including high attendance rates at parent-teacher meetings and a desire among parents to learn literacy themselves.
• 😀 Vocational programs for older siblings and de-addiction programs for fathers have been implemented to ensure that children continue their education without family distractions.
• 😀 Parikrma’s children are excelling in sports and academics, with some even participating in prestigious programs like Duke University’s talent identification program and IIM Ahmedabad.
• 😀 The true measure of education at Parikrma is not infrastructure but the quality of teaching, the learning environment, and the focus on creative, critical thinking and exploration.
• 😀 The foundation is not focused on scaling for the sake of numbers but on maintaining quality. Corporates have supported the initiative, allowing for sustainable growth.

Q & A

What inspired Shukla Bose to start Parikrma Humanity Foundation?

Shukla Bose was inspired to start Parikrma Humanity Foundation after realizing the educational challenges faced by children living in slums. Her background in the corporate world made her aware of the systemic inefficiencies in the education sector, prompting her to take action and offer children from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity for quality education.

How did the Parikrma schools begin, and where was the first school located?

The first Parikrma school was started in a slum on a rooftop of a two-story building, which was the only such building in the area. It had no ceiling, and during the monsoon season, the students and staff had to huddle under a tin sheet to stay dry. Despite the humble beginnings, this marked the start of Parikrma's mission to provide quality education to children from slums.

What was the initial challenge Shukla Bose faced when starting the schools?

The initial challenge was the overwhelming numbers and systemic issues, including 200 million children not attending school, high teacher absenteeism, and a lack of resources. Despite these challenges, Shukla focused on one child at a time, aiming for quality education over quantity.

What myths did Shukla Bose aim to break through Parikrma's work?

Shukla aimed to break several myths, including the belief that children from slums cannot speak English or excel academically, that slum parents are not interested in education, and that children from disadvantaged backgrounds cannot integrate into mainstream society or perform well in competitive settings.

How does Parikrma defy the belief that slum children cannot learn English?

Parikrma schools are English-medium, and Shukla Bose challenged the myth that slum children cannot speak English. Despite their families having no exposure to the language, the children excel in English and often outperform expectations, proving that with the right resources and support, they can master the language.

What is Parikrma's approach to education beyond academics?

Parikrma's approach emphasizes not only academics but also life skills, character building, and exposure to extracurricular activities. The foundation integrates sports, music, art, and vocational training, along with mentorship from top professionals and educators, to create a holistic learning environment.

How does Parikrma engage with parents and the community?

Parikrma engages parents by holding regular parent-teacher meetings with impressive attendance rates, sometimes even 100%. The foundation also offers after-school programs for parents, particularly mothers, to teach them basic literacy. Additionally, Parikrma works with fathers, many of whom are dealing with addiction, to help them find work and respect within the community.

Can you share an example of a child's success story from Parikrma?

One inspiring story is of a girl who had previously worked as a maid before joining Parikrma. After receiving quality education, she participated in a talent program at Duke University and IIM Ahmedabad. Today, she aspires to become a neurologist, illustrating how education has transformed her life.

What sets Parikrma apart from other educational institutions?

What sets Parikrma apart is its commitment to quality over scale. Instead of focusing on the number of children served, Parikrma ensures that each child receives personalized education and support. Additionally, it emphasizes creating an environment of learning and inquiry, beyond traditional classrooms, through exposure to external experts and hands-on learning.

How does Parikrma measure the success of its educational approach?

Parikrma measures success not just through academic performance but also by the personal development of its students. Many children have excelled in sports and extracurricular activities, won awards at inter-school competitions, and even participated in global programs. The transformation in their mindset, confidence, and future aspirations is a key indicator of success.