Lucknow, Sep 30, 2024: DEVI Sansthan recently launched “One Tara Initiative”, which is an EdTech tool that lowers barriers, empowering ordinary citizens with the know-how, skills and materials they need to open an informal education centre.
The initiative, which was launched at the finale of the 14th Ed Leadership Summit held as part of the First Global Learning Lab Conclave, was in the loving memory of Educationist Jagdish Gandhi, the founder of City Montessori School, Lucknow.
The launch marked a significant highlight with the attendance of over 100 children from various slum regions of Lucknow. The event showcased the transformative potential of education but also celebrated the achievements of young learners through the “One Tara Initiative”. The pilot project of 3 months was conducted for 100 slum children who are part of City Montessori School Shalimar One World Campus, City International School, One Tara Jawahar Nagar and Umeed Foundation. 20 children who passed grade 5 and were part of the pilot project were awarded certificates of NIOS.
DEVI Sansthan has signed MoUs with 3 NGOs working at the grassroot levels namely Shambhuka Foundation represented by Anurag Goel, Prayaas Ek Sankalp represented by Garima Prakash and Umeed Foundation represented by Balbir Singh for implementing “One Tara” Schools in their respective areas.
One Tara schools will be launched in Lucknow, Ayodhya and Khushinagar by Umeed Foundation which will benefit the children in these areas. Shambhuka Foundation signed an MOU which will cater to students studying in One Tara schools by providing them meals, organising health camps, counselling sessions, communication skills coaching and more.
Dr Sunita Gandhi, Founder of DEVI Sansthan, said, “One Tara app will empower individuals to become changemakers by enabling anyone to start their own 'One Tara School.' The aim is to strive to decentralise high quality and learner-centred education, enabling millions of children to benefit from the groundbreaking accelerating learning for all pedagogy. The app will enable us to reach the goal of getting the children to pass the NIOS exams thus giving them a chance to join mainstream school thereafter.”
One Tara School is a free school for children and adolescent girls who have been deprived of an education and is powered by Accelerating Learning for All (ALfA). One Tara School gives this hope to children that they are not alone in their fight for survival. The school’s “One Tara” app has several key features like teaching the children through videos, storybooks, roleplays, etc.
Free study material can also be downloaded from the app. The persons running the “One Tara” centres can also add information like number of teachers, number of students and their attendance, teachers' attendance can also be tracked and more such features. The app will enable the children to learn foundational skills which can guide them on a successful path towards education and employment.
