IIFL Foundation runs seamless digital education for 36,000 girls amid pandemic

IIFL Foundation, which runs one of India’s largest girl child education programs – Sakhiyon Ki Baadi (SKB) – across 1200 remote schools in Rajasthan, has been able leverage digital medium to impart seamless education to over 36,000 girls making it one of the largest such program anywhere in the world.

 

SKB schools are dedicated to educating out-of-school girl children of primarily underprivileged tribal communities, where girl child literacy is in single digits and worse than many sub-Saharan countries. IIFL Foundation’s Sakhiyon Ki Baadi program brought these out-of-school girls to education fold in remote inaccessible areas mostly making them the first female members or in many case the first member to receive formal education.

 

The Covid-19 pandemic which started a year ago disrupted the education system of 1200 SKB schools managed by 1200 teachers or Dakshas.  Lockdown meant field staff could not visit the centers or conduct home visits and meetings with the community members.

 

There was of discontinuation of education for girls who with so much difficulty got into schools in the first place. There were reports of girl child marriage in many communities across India.

 

IIFL Foundation led by Ms. Madhu Jain decided to ensure that the education continues using digital mode so that 2020 doesn’t become a zero year and many dreams don’t get shattered.

 

Ms. Madhu Jain, Director, IIFL Foundation said, “During the pandemic, IIFL Foundation focused on turning challenges into opportunities. We revisited our vision and stayed true to our values of integrity and discipline. Lockdown provided us the opportunity to equip 500+ Dakshas with the knowledge to use a mobile phone, engage on online platforms, upgrade their English language skills and develop an understanding of basic financial concepts. This wisdom was then passed on to the students enrolled at the SKB centers through continuous online sessions.”