In the heart of our mission at Involve lies an unwavering belief: when children are entrusted with agency, they become catalysts for remarkable change. Our journey is guided by our students’ inspiring stories of change, reinforcing our commitment to empower 50 million students in India with agency within the next five years.
Central to our approach to building student agency is peer-teaching—an innovative and engaging method that pairs senior Student Leaders (typically grade 4 and upwards) with younger learners (from grades 1-3) to elevate educational outcomes.
In April 2023, we launched a peer-teaching program in Sambhal, UP, as part of our efforts to scale our impact. Over the past year, we initiated a district-wide campaign, gaining support from key officials, including the District Magistrate and District Education Officer, laying the groundwork for student agency. The “NIPUN Mahotsav” in July 2023, led by Mr. Chandrashekhar, Basic Education Officer, Sambhal, brought together 1500 students from 200 schools, setting ambitious educational goals. Our Peer Learning Workshop equipped over 2500 educators with strategies to enhance language and numeracy proficiency. Additionally, we launched Peer Learning Videos and Pocket Books, benefiting over 2000 teachers.
Shining a spotlight on our students, we orchestrated the NIPUN Champion Mela to showcase their accomplishments and innovative teaching approaches. Empowered as key decision-makers, our students took charge of various event elements, from hosting and performing to felicitating our distinguished guests and ensuring orderly conduct among their peers.
To date, our endeavours have touched the lives of 26,139 students, igniting a ripple effect of empowerment and transformation across communities.
We are delighted to present two captivating stories of change from Sambhal. These narratives have profoundly touched us, and we are confident they will inspire you as they have inspired us.
Nandini’s Journey with the Talent Circle
Nandini, a radiant and eager first-grade learner, envisioned a world where every student felt a sense of pride in their individual talents. With this goal in mind, she embarked on a journey to create something truly special – the “Talent Circle.” In this circle, classmates were invited to showcase their unique gifts, ranging from melodious singing to intricate drawing.
With infectious enthusiasm, Nandini cheered for each participant, fostering an atmosphere of unwavering support and genuine camaraderie within the circle. What began as a simple idea blossomed into a vibrant hub of encouragement and friendship.
As word of the Talent Circle spread throughout the school, a remarkable transformation took place. Through Nandini’s initiative, the school became a beacon of positivity, where students not only discovered their own talents but also learned the invaluable lesson of uplifting others and shining together.
Ummulvara’s Journey of Impact and Confidence through Peer Teaching
In this story, Ummulvara, a Student Leader, shares her experience as a Peer Teacher. Here’s what she had to say: “When Ms. Javeria Tariq asked me to teach in the Peer Group, I was hesitant due to my lack of experience. However, Ms. Tariq took the time to provide me with a clear explanation of the concept of Peer Learning and offered me words of encouragement that helped motivate me.
There was a student named Sameer from class 3 who often missed class, which was a challenge. Despite the teacher’s persistent attempts to contact him and encourage him, he did not attend school regularly. But I didn’t give up. I talked to Sameer and motivated him to come to our study sessions. To my delight, he began to show a genuine interest in studying, and within just a week, he started attending school regularly, eventually achieving proficiency. This experience not only boosted my confidence as a peer teacher but also taught me the positive impact that individual attention and encouragement can have on a student’s academic journey.”
As we continue to champion the cause of student agency, we remain steadfast in our commitment to amplifying the voices of the next generation. Their stories of resilience, innovation, and transformative change inspire us to forge ahead, lighting the way towards a future where every student shines brightly.
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