A MOUSE THAT EATS CHALKS. AND THEN, THEY ALL SAY CHEESE!

A social cause can gain so much from the right use of technology – speed, outreach, last-mile impact and empowerment. But what happens when the unique challenges of Indian’s geographical, as well as social, terrain come in the way of skilling India’s youth. How to handle teledensity issues, digital illiteracy and Kuznet’s graphs? Pratima H finds out here with Nishant Baghel, Director Technology Innovations, Pratham who oversees programmes that reach more than 5,00,000 children and have been recognized by the World Economic Forum as the only ‘School of Future’ from India.

- Pratima Harigunani

NISHANT BAGHEL Director Technology Innovations, Pratham

An Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) analysis indicated that for every 10 percent increase in school connectivity in a country, GDP per capita could increase by 1.1 percent. Does this work - in your observation and experience?

Pratham works closely with the communities through direct community-based interventions, instead of connecting through schools. However, Pratham’s digital initiatives focus on connecting remote rural low-tech communities with access to digital tools and internet connectivity. The digital tools and the content are an effort to supplement what the children are learning in school. PraDigi Open Learning is cognizant of the rapid pace of digital transformation and technological advancements, hence ensuring accessibility to digital tools and infrastructure for communities has been the starting point.

How do you assess the impact?