“Literacy is the bridge from misery to hope.”
— Kofi Annan, former U.N. Secretary General

Literacy is essential for effective communication, personal empowerment and participation in society. It plays a crucial role in education, employment and overall quality of life, enabling individuals to navigate their daily tasks and access knowledge and opportunities. Literacy is a fundamental human right that opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship.

Why is Literacy Important?

Studies have shown that countries with higher literacy rates tend to have stronger economies and lower poverty rates. Literacy plays a crucial role in promoting health literacy, which is essential for overall well-being. Countries with higher literacy rates often have a more engaged and informed citizenry, capable of participating meaningfully in democratic processes, advocating for their rights, and contributing to societal development. Literacy, therefore, serves as a foundation for active citizenship and democratic governance. Literacy is also essential for achieving many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, gender equality, and improved health.

Meaning of Literacy

Literacy is the ability to read, write, and comprehend written text. It encompasses not only basic skills like reading and writing but also the capacity to critically analyse and engage with information. Education, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses formal and informal learning processes that includes the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, and critical thinking across various subjects.

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AMREEN SHAIKH
Our great teachers face several challenges with every coming day but never quit. One of the major challenges for them is to stay up-to-date with the learning technology. With progress in technology, the teaching pattern is constantly changing. Every year, there are new apps, websites and other technology tools created to improve the learning process. It can also be difficult for teachers to manage the behaviour of students along with staying up-to-date with the most recent classroom trends. Teachers have a huge responsibility of shaping the future generation for which they need support and understanding from the students and parents which is lacking today. Parents do not understand the teachers and at times make allegations against them because of the wrong done by their own child or if he/she is unable to reach their expectations. Teachers have to deal with students from different backgrounds and communities and have the daunting task of inculcating good values within them along with imparting knowledge. At times, teachers do not get a response from students, and as a result, it becomes difficult for them to communicate and interact with students. In such cases, they motivate the students and help them to rise up, for which they have to be very patient and understanding. Nowadays, there is an increase in competition, due to which teachers have to face pressure from school administrators to contribute in making their school the best. These are just a few challenges faced by them.

ANISHA HOLKAR
The information boom and the subsequent knowledge explosion have led to tremendous changes in the life of individuals today, and its effect is also witnessed in the field of education. With global connectivity facilitated by ICT, searching for any information today has become a child’s play. In this digital era, the coming generations are quite adept at handling, managing and working with technology. Even young kids and toddlers, probably by way of their genetic inheritance, are able to operate smartphones and other modern gadgets. Thus, these gadgets have been embedded within the daily routine of modern lives. Due to this transformation, there is a contention among some intellectuals about whether teachers can be replaced by computers. One of the most common and pressing classroom challenges for teachers is the fact that some students are not receiving adequate support outside of the classroom. Teachers can work with students only while they’re at school.

MEHAK AJWANI
Teaching is widely considered a noble career because of the role teachers play in shaping the lives of students. Being a teacher can be a very rewarding job. However, teaching is getting more and more complex and challenging these days. Some challenges may include getting parents actively involved. For example, it’s not always an easy task to try to encourage parents to help their children with homework routine, time management, etc. Another challenge is that different students have different learning styles. Yet another challenge is the shortage of teaching resources and increasing classroom sizes. Due to the increase in classroom sizes, teachers are unable to provide individual attention to their students.

Teachers have to upgrade their knowledge and skills to be able to teach effectively. In addition, the ever-changing nature of the education system can make it difficult for teachers to keep up with the latest developments and innovations. A teacher has to always strive to turn a challenge into an opportunity. Another significant challenge that teachers face is the lack of appreciation and respect they receive from society. Teaching requires knowledge of different subjects, and it demands excellent communication, motivation and organizational skills. Being a teacher is a job that requires a high level of dedication, patience and compassion.

SALONI WAGHCHOURE
A teacher is a multi-tasking, educational rockstar who lives to inspire and loves to encourage. Teachers are the epitome of the word ‘all-rounder’, but we also need to acknowledge all the challenges that teachers face today. One of the biggest challenges in a teacher’s life is to get to know each student and the different learning needs of students. Some students are quick learners, whereas most of the students take time to grasp the concepts. Teachers try to help the students with personalised teaching strategies, but it is difficult to manage time in an already packed, time-bound curriculum. Catering to the needs of every student individually is a big burden for teachers because it affects their lesson plans. Apart from correcting exam papers, teachers have to do a lot of paperwork and keep track of the details of each student. It is very hectic for them. Teachers do not have a self-care routine, and they never make time for themselves, which may lead to burnout.

TANAYA GURAV
After the Covid pandemic, there has been a drastic change in the education system. Due to this, the teachers had to adapt to the increasing technology and upgrade themselves. The students are now less communicative than before, and their academic progress, in some cases, has slowed down too. The teachers are trying their best to cope with all of this along with handling their personal lives. School administrations are putting pressure on teachers for their best performance, as competition has increased in all areas. According to a survey done among school teachers, it was revealed that 9 out of 10 teachers have seen a significant increase in their workload during and after the pandemic. Parental support is an important factor in a teacher’s life so as to develop the young minds. Since the pandemic, parental expectations have increased significantly. Teachers have been faced with the challenge of meeting these elevated expectations while they navigate the complexities of virtual instruction and dealing with the impacts of the pandemic on their students’ learning. In spite of all of these challenges, teachers work effortlessly towards the betterment of children and shape their future. May God bless them in all their endeavours.

Through candid responses and heartfelt reflections, the students of St Charles School provide a poignant and insightful look into the realities faced by their teachers. They recognize the immense dedication, creativity, and resilience required to foster a supportive and effective learning environment amidst these challenges. Hats off to our dear Teachers! Happy Teachers’ Day!

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Secrets of Egypt Revealed, hosted by Laura Ranieri Roy and François Roy, offers an immersive journey into the enigmatic world of ancient Egypt. Laura’s expertise as an Egyptologist, paired with François’ captivating storytelling, creates a compelling narrative that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish. Each episode delves into different aspects of Egyptian history, from the construction of the pyramids to the lives of pharaohs and everyday citizens. The duo’s passion for the subject is evident, making complex topics accessible and fascinating. They balance scholarly insights with intriguing anecdotes, ensuring the podcast is both educational and entertaining. The high-quality production and well-researched content make it a standout in the realm of history podcasts. Secrets of Egypt Revealed is a treasure trove of knowledge that brings the mysteries of ancient Egypt to life.

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The academic year 2024-25… yet another brand new opportunity to excel. Starting a new academic year is an exciting and pivotal time for both students and educators alike. Striving for academic excellence begins from the first moment the student enters the school or college gate with a clear-cut academic and career goal and a commitment to pay the required price.

Everyone wants to win, but few are willing to the pay the price. All students aspire for success, but only a select few are prepared to endure the hard work, discipline and the sacrifices necessary to realize their ambitions.

Students have to cultivate certain skills and turn them into routines to achieve academic excellence.

What is a Student Skill?

A skill is an ability or proficiency acquired through practice and education. Both hard and soft skills are essential in academic and personal contexts. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge that can be defined and measured. Soft skills are interpersonal or people skills that are harder to quantify. They relate how individuals interact with others and manage their work.

Student skills help in learning maximum with less effort and time. For a fruitful and meaningful life, students have to spend time on many activities apart from just studying. Study skills or academic skills are the subset of student skills.

Essential Student Skills

1. Self-motivation skills
2. Career Goals Fixation skills
3. Time Management skills
4. Reading skills
5. Note-taking skills
6. Concentration and Memory skills
7. Examination skills

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To address the problem, we can make additions like college credit system in high school with the introduction of AP courses, vocational courses and learning based on experiment. Qualities like communication and problem-solving skills can be boosted through extra-curriculars. We ought to prioritize career guidance and internship opportunities in the field of interest so that we relieve the youth of the usual quarter life crisis.
Myra Walia (15)
St Luke’s, Solan

The curriculum in our educational institutions is lagging behind in youth skill development due to numerous reasons. Firstly, regular career counselling for children is significant in implementing good values and skills that will help them overcome any situation in the job market. The government must provide resources for educators to stay informed about technical advancements. Educational institutions should collaborate with various business and industry tycoons to help children understand the demands of the market. Finally, schools and colleges should facilitate opportunities for students to gain real-world experience through internships and start building their abilities from childhood. I believe that if the government adopts these ideas, India will surely become a nation full of teen-preneurs.
Aadya Kumar (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School Jethuli, Patna, Bihar

Educational institutions can take the following steps to improve curriculum implementation:
Provide Support Structures: Districts can support schools and teachers with professional development networks to implement an effective science curriculum, instruction, and formative assessments.
Promote Holistic Development: Teachers and parents can promote students’ holistic development in both academic and non-academic spheres.
Prioritize Foundational Literacy and Numeracy: Students should achieve foundational literacy and numeracy by grade 3.
Provide Flexibility: Students should be able to choose their learning trajectories and programmes based on their talents and interests.
Eliminate Hard Separations: There should be no hard separations between arts and sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities, and vocational and academic streams.
Daksh Bhardwaj (13)
Notre Dame School, Badarpur, New Delhi

Educational institutions should take several steps, for example, offering career counselling services to help students understand the job market, identify their strengths, and align their educational paths with their career goals. This guidance can assist students in making informed decisions about their academic choices. Implementing internship programmes or work placement opportunities for students can bridge the gap between theory and practice. Real-world experience gained during internships can enhance students’ employability and readiness for the job market. Organizing skill development workshops, seminars, and guest lectures by industry experts to provide students with hands-on experience and exposure to the latest industry practices. By implementing these steps, educational institutions can bridge the gap between educational curricula and job market demands, better equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their future careers.
Priya Raj (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

To address the misalignment between educational curricula and the job market, both institutions and governments must undertake immediate steps. Institutions should foster partnerships with industries to understand current skill demands, updating their curricula accordingly. Emphasizing practical, hands-on learning experiences and integrating technological advancements into course work can better prepare students for real-world challenges. Simultaneously, governments should incentivize collaboration between educational institutions and businesses, allocating resources for retraining programmes and promoting apprenticeships to bridge the gap between education and employment. Additionally, establishing regulatory frameworks that encourage flexibility and innovation in educational practices can facilitate swift adaptation to evolving job market needs. By fostering closer ties between academia and industry while promoting adaptable educational policies, institutions and governments can effectively address the issue of youth skill development.
Parth Sahore (14)
Notre Dame School, Badarpur, New Delhi

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However, the mindset of these American Dreamers has now shifted. To Indians, the U.S. is now associated with school shootings, racism, protests, crimes, and other negative aspects. Today, parents think twice before sending their children to the U.S. for higher education or job opportunities, regardless of their financial means. The number of Indian dreamers from 24 years ago has significantly dwindled to just a few thousand individuals.

Indian parents now prefer to educate their children in India, and this decision is indeed beneficial. It not only provides economic flexibility for parents and students but also helps retain the immense talent that the country has lost to the United States. While some may argue about the lack of opportunities and intense competition in India, consider this: would you rather live in a country with prevalent racism and discrimination or reside in a truly diverse nation with a varied work culture and growing opportunities?

As of 19 March 2024, nine Indians have lost their lives in the U.S., with one severely injured in an attempted robbery. Most of these victims were students; some murdered and others allegedly succumbing to hypothermia. Last year, a 23-year-old student named Jaahnavi Kandula from Northwestern University was killed by U.S. police officer, Kevin Dave, in Washington, when his car hit her at 120 mph. In later released footage, it was revealed that Officer Dave found the incident amusing and even remarked, “Just write a check.” Interestingly, in February this year, it was determined that he would not be charged due to a “lack of evidence”.

Reports indicate that the U.S. remains the preferred destination for Indian students pursuing higher education, with a staggering 35% increase in their numbers in 2023. However, it is important to note that while the U.S. is not inherently unwelcoming to Indians, instances of racism and discrimination have been experienced by not only Indians but also individuals from various ethnic backgrounds such as Native Americans, Hispanics, Blacks, South East Asians, and more.

It is crucial to recognize that these issues are not exclusive to the U.S., as racism exists worldwide, including in India, towards foreign tourists and residents. The severity of these problems escalates when racism transforms into hate crimes, murder, or even genocide. Unfortunately, the U.S. government has not wholeheartedly and comprehensively addressed these concerns. In many cases, punishments are not adequately enforced, and local police departments often overlook such incidents. When contemplating studying or working in the United States, it is essential to acknowledge these challenges. There is a high crime rate, but it is also the top choice for Indian and international students and workers from diverse backgrounds. These obstacles pose significant hurdles for those already present in the country.

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It would be advantageous for India to have a singular central board with optional state languages. First, the students will benefit most. There will be uniformity in the syllabus; all students will learn the same syllabus except for the state languages. Second, students moving from one part of the country to another wouldn’t face the challenges of adapting to a different curriculum. It would result in decreased stress and inferiority complex among students, as India often experiences a situation where one board is considered superior to others. This would also improve the migration level, and providing optional languages would allow for greater flexibility. Students can choose languages based on their interests, career goals, and backgrounds. Last but not least, it would be easier for the government to manage the education system, policies, and practices and keep improving on them.
Ishani Chamling (13)
New Horizon Scholars’ School, Thane, Maharashtra

State boards often incorporate state-specific content, making them more culturally and regionally aligned. CBSE is often preferred for students preparing for competitive exams in India due to its focused curriculum and alignment with national level entrance exams like JEE and NEET. CBSE promotes uniformity in education regardless of their location. State boards allow for more flexibility in curriculum design, which can lead to variations in the quality and content of education between States.
Sneha Suman (12)
Notre Dame, Badarpur, New Delhi

The main reasons for me to go with the choice of singular Central Board are:
1. Nowadays, almost every level of competitive exam in India is based on the syllabus of a particular singular Central Board like CBSE (NCERT). So, if a student wants to clear the NEET, JEE or even UPSC exam, he will have to study the CBSE based books. This makes the student think that it is a lot tougher to clear such exams.
2. If India has a singular Central Board with optional state languages, then every student will get to know the culture of each other’s state. Thus, we will get to know our country which will increase its unity. As the term suggests “Unity in Diversity”.
Kanishka Singh (13)
Montfort Inter College, Mahanagar, Lucknow

I believe having a centralized education is indispensable and the need of the hour for diverse countries like India. Invariability in the education system is necessary for imparting proper and quality education to all students across the country. If a centralized board is constituted, then bias and partiality among children will be eradicated. Improvement in Governmental and private institutions will take place and all stakeholders will be able to manage the education properly. The uniformity may be helpful for assimilation of knowledge and further parents of transferable jobs will not face any problems while managing their child’s education. The uniform curriculum will lead to enhancement in the standardisation of books and teaching methods. Furthermore, the regional culture and traditions may be incorporated in optional state language making education more accessible and agreeable for all.
Sara Tamseel Khwaja (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Bankipore, Patna

Yes, it would be advantageous for India to maintain the current diversity of state, central and international board in the following ways:
Recognized internationally: These boards are advantageous for students planning to study abroad and for parents wanting to shift abroad.
Advanced education system: These boards are recognized internationally, and their education system is advanced in technology, language and orientation.
Flexible syllabus: CBSE offers a lot of flexibility to the students to pursue their fields of interest.
Strong connection with their state’s culture and traditions: State boards are more rooted in the culture and language of the specific state.
Daksh Bhardwaj (13)
Notre Dame School, Badarpur, New Delhi

A central board with optional state language might be beneficial for students. The education and examination system will be uniform throughout India. In case of an interstate change of school, students can cope with the study pattern easily. More underprivileged students will benefit from the singular central board. However, this would have some drawbacks. Presently, the state board teaches regional history, literature, and cultural heritage of one’s state in a very comprehensive manner, so value in maintaining the diverse knowledge will be lacking.
Nandita Singh Bariha (14)
Kendriya Vidyalaya, NHPC Singtam, Sikkim

Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, influenced by India’s unique socio-political, cultural, and economic context. Standardization might ensure that students across different regions have access to the same quality of education, resources, and opportunities. This could help bridge educational disparities between urban and rural areas, or between states with different levels of educational infrastructure. The choice between a singular Central Board and maintaining the diversity of boards depends on balancing the benefits of standardization and national integration with the need to preserve local significance and foster innovation. A possible middle path could involve a hybrid model that establishes a core national curriculum complemented by region-specific modules, allowing for both uniformity in essential educational standards and flexibility to cater to local needs and identities.
Priya Raj (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

It would be a great benefit for India to have a singular central board. Singularization of boards will help students to transfer and take admission throughout schools easily as the exam format and syllabus would be consistent. With uniformity among various boards, students can concentrate fully on studying a single curriculum rather than relying on multiple textbooks for support in upcoming competitions. Standardization can reduce the administrative costs and also promote regional distinctiveness due to the availability of optional languages. Although it risks cultural diversity, it is advantageous for both students and teachers as it creates a straightforward and more compact way of learning in just one schedule/course.
Aadya Kumar (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna, Bihar

I think it would be advantageous for India to have a singular central board with optional state languages as many people of other states do not understand English or Hindi as many have their different languages for their different states, regions and places like villages and so on. I see value in maintaining the current diversity of State, Central and International Boards because many don’t know about their culture of a particular city, state, place or region.
Darshmeet Kaur Saluja (12)
St Francis Convent Inter College, Jhansi

It would be advantageous for India to have singular Central Board with optional State Language. It would bring uniformity in standard of education, evaluation and grading system all over India. It would provide equal opportunity to students of India and would promote national integrity. It would also minimise the cost incurred on education. The language problem and problem of variability in the educational standard, earning outcome, performance and their comparison would be automatically solved by a singular Central Board.
Aditi Shekhar (14)
St Joseph’s Convent High School, Jethuli, Patna

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Hosted by Kit Patrick, The History of India Podcast takes listeners on a captivating journey through India’s past, suitable for both history enthusiasts and novices. Patrick skilfully guides us through dynasties, starting from 600 BC, showcasing his meticulous research in well-detailed accounts of historical events. The podcast spans various periods, exploring political, cultural, and social aspects, offering a comprehensive understanding of India’s evolution. While his pronunciation attempts may falter, minor glitches are outweighed by the intriguing knowledge shared. The podcast’s beautiful structure allows listeners to create vivid mental images aided by brilliant narration simplifying Indian history. This podcast is a must-listen, standing out as an informative and engaging exploration of the intricacies of Indian history.

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SpaceBasic is an edu-tech company that is making student accommodation and university hostels smarter through an app. SpaceBasic was founded in 2017 by Madhavi Shankar and Silicon Valley based serial entrepreneur Indu Navar. The app helps educational institutions automate everyday tasks and communication within their hostels and student housing communities. The app has grown 300% year over year. It expects to accelerate towards a revenue goal of $25mn in 2026, capturing revenues from the U.S. and India market.

In this exclusive interview, Madhavi Shankar, CEO and Co-Founder of SpaceBasic, talks to NEHA KIRPAL about SpaceBasic’s unique features and plans for the future.

What was the idea, inspiration behind starting SpaceBasic in 2017?
MS: I had some experience working in an early stage startup in Sydney, Australia. Drawing from my international student experience, I was very keen to start a company in India in the student space. In 2017, on a trip to the Bay Area, I was introduced to Indu who was based in San Francisco. We met for a casual chat and we thought it would be a social meeting. A short meeting turned out to be a long and detailed conversation about startups. We both wanted to do something in the education space. We decided to explore the pain points in the education sector. After that, I quit my job in Australia and returned to India to solve a real problem in the education sector.

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One of the few aspects of the Indian development project that is supposed to have seen some recent success is education. As India continues to witness a surge in the number of students pursuing higher education, the importance of understanding and managing finances becomes paramount. The transition from college to a professional career is a crucial phase, often accompanied by financial challenges. This article explores the significance of student loans and financial literacy for Indian students.

The Rising Cost of Education

In recent years, the cost of higher education in India has seen a notable increase. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) data for the academic year 2020-21, the enrollment in higher education institutions crossed the 3.85 crore mark. With this surge in enrollment, there is a parallel increase in education and other related expenses. According to EduFund, education costs in India have climbed by around 10-12% between 2012-20. Not only the tuition fee, but transportation fees and examination fees are also hiked periodically which affects the overall budget.

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