From Learner to Leader: Life of a student in Mumbai
Aniket’s story is a powerful reminder of how education can change lives. Growing up in the busy streets of Virar, Mumbai, he had little access to technology. His neighbourhood was full of children from underprivileged communities, struggling to get the kind of skills that could set them up for a better future. As he was reaching the end of his school life, he realised he was about to finish without getting that digital literacy which is currently ruling the world. His dreams seemed limited. But here’s the twist- Everything changed when he came across ApniPathshala! ApniPathshala’s Learning Pod ApniPathshala, in collaboration with the Narayan Chandra Trust, set up a learning pod in Virar with one clear goal: to teach digital skills to children from underprivileged backgrounds. It wasn’t an easy task. Before this program, many of these kids had never even touched a computer. Their schools didn’t have computer labs, and most parents didn’t see the value in digital education. They believed it was only important after completing regular schooling. But thanks to Apni Pathshala’s learning pod, this notion changed. That place quickly became a safe space for students like Aniket, offering hope and a path to a brighter future. Aniket initially joined to learn basic computer skills. Just that. But soon, under the guidance of teachers like Pankaj Baranwal Sir from BeyondExams, Aniket’s learning took off. His rapid progress showed how quickly someone can grow when given the right tools and support. From Learner to Leader Aniket wasn’t just a fast learner, he quickly became a role model for other students. His curiosity and dedication stood out. In a short time, he w ent from being a student at the learning pod to helping run the very classes that had changed his life. His transformation from a shy student with little digital literacy to a confident manager is truly inspiring. And this is what ApniPathshala aims at. Things like this make us emotional, proud and happy at heart! Now, Aniket plays a big role in making sure the classes run smoothly. He helps other students understand the digital tools, making the learning environment welcoming and supportive. ApniPathshala’s approach, which encourages students to ask questions and explore freely, helped Aniket to go on. Unlike the traditional classrooms, where discipline overshadows creativity and often children are not able to raise their voice or ask questions, there are no strict rules here at our learning pod. We rather focus on curiosity and self-learning, which has been key to the success of students like him. The Digital Education Revolution The learning pod in Virar isn’t just about teaching kids how to use computers- it’s about building a culture of digital literacy in a place where technology has been hard to access. Here, at this learning pod, the management charges a small fee of ₹100 to ₹200 per month, making sure that even the most underprivileged students can get a top-quality digital education. Making sure that money can never cause any hurdle in any child’s dream to succeed. At the pod, students aren’t just learning the basics. They’re exploring advanced topics like game development, web design, digital marketing, scratch programming, no-code web development, and tools like Canva, helping students gain the skills needed in today’s world. Imagine teaching these interesting skills at a place where the kids didn’t even know to use a mouse. Fascinating, right? Talking about Aniket, these skills changed his life. He went from having no digital knowledge to becoming skilled at using tools like Canva, and now he even helps other students on their learning journeys. His story shows exactly what ApniPathshala aims to achieve with every student who comes to come. Overcoming Challenges On your way to success, challenges are bound to come- that’s an inevitable fact. But, the way we overcome those hurdles is a true test of our perseverance. And, must i say that Apnipathshala passed that test with flying marks. In the beginning, many parents in the area were sceptical about the value of digital education. Nearly 60% of parents believed that their children should only focus on traditional schooling until they completed the 12th grade. Convincing parents to invest in their children’s digital education was a significant challenge. Many of them also couldn’t afford to buy computers, which made the learning pod even more essential. But the management didn’t give up. To encourage participation, they offered students opportunities to volunteer and manage classes without charging fees. This gave students a chance to prove their worth and showcase how valuable digital education could be. Slowly but steadily, the mindset began to shift, and more students started enrolling. A Future Filled with Opportunities Today, ApniPathshala has touched the lives of thousands of students in the Virar area. On any given day, the pod accommodates 100-150 students who come in for flexible classes that work around their school and college schedules. The students aren’t just getting digital literacy, they are being prepared for the future. Moreover, to give the students practical exposure, pod also provides them with internships, freelancing opportunities, and a platform to showcase their talent. Just like Aniket, who now helps manage the growing number of students and has become a mentor to many. He assists in classes that cover everything from basic computer skills to advanced courses like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Also, every Saturday, the pod hosts personality development sessions where students practise presenting in front of others, learning public speaking, and building confidence. The Emotional Impact Aniket’s story is just one of many, but it’s filled with sheer hope and transformation. His journey from a curious learner to a confident mentor shows that with the right opportunities, anyone can succeed, no matter their background. ApniPathshala has played a crucial role in this transformation. Children who once had no access to technology are now digitally skilled, independent, and ready to face the world. Aniket’s story serves as a source of inspiration for other students, who will follow in his footsteps, equipped with the
This School Transformed to a model School. Learn How!
When you walk into Bal Vikas Montessori School, you see more than just classrooms and chalkboards. You see change. What was once a typical school with basic facilities is now a model school. Thanks to the incredible efforts of Apni Pathshala, which brought a new wave of technology in classrooms. In just 1.5 years, a revolution took place. And this is their story. The Beginning of a New Era! Located in an underprivileged area, Bal Vikas Montessori School primarily educates children from families who cannot afford schooling, let alone digital education. In this environment, Apni Pathshala saw an opportunity to introduce technology in classrooms to these students. By partnering with PRAHO to provide mini-PCs and earphones, they took a huge step forward in digital learning. Before using digital tools, teachers had to spend many hours creating report cards by hand. This took a lot of time. But with PRAHO’s computers, ApniPathshala made a big change. Now, teachers could easily make report cards on the computer, giving them more time to focus on teaching. This change was just the start of a big transformation! Empowering Teachers: From Basic Knowledge to Digital Experts Many of the teachers at Bal Vikas had very little to no experience with technology in classrooms. Most only knew the basics – turning on a computer, typing, and using a mouse. But with ApniPathshala’s learning pods in place, everything started changing. ApniPathshala didn’t just provide the hardware, they provided guidance and a vision. Vision to grow as an individual and build a better future for kids At first, teachers weren’t sure how to fit computers into their daily work. To help them out, coordinators were assigned. One such coordinator is Ms. Anjali, who handles the whole learning pod in Bal Vikas Montessori School. She told us that every Saturday, she connected with teachers and students to discuss how the week went by. She made sure everyone was making progress and all problems were solved. Little by little, teachers gained confidence. As teachers learned, they helped the children to learn even faster. The change was amazing. These teachers, who once found computers tricky, were now enjoying the whole process. A New Way of Learning: Digital Education But the biggest transformation came with the students. And that’s what matters the most, isn’t it? ApniPathshala’s learning pod opened a world of opportunities for the kids. The classes from 1st to 8th were taught at Bal Vidya. Most of them had never touched a computer before. Forget other things—they didn’t even know how to use a mouse! But with PRAHO’s computers, they got introduced to technology in classrooms and these children eventually became confident digital learners. In the first year, the syllabus was kept simple to help students get comfortable with the basics. By the second year, as their confidence grew, the school upgraded the syllabus. By 7th grade, students were creating email accounts, designing posters on Canva, and even learning no-code website development. One of the most exciting parts of this journey was the introduction of “BeyondExams” courses. These courses exposed students to content beyond traditional textbooks- AI, Coding, Designing, Excel etc. The kids were thrilled to learn new things. And the best part? They didn’t want to keep this knowledge to themselves. This was one of the most fulfilling moments as their educators for us- they started teaching other children in their community who didn’t have the same access to resources. It became a beautiful cycle of sharing and spreading knowledge. And we couldn’t be more proud! Fun learning through Games and Interaction One of the ways ApniPathshala kept the students engaged was by making them learn through games. By introducing fun apps like Duolingo, learning became an exciting activity. Students could play educational games, create their own content, and even help one another understand difficult concepts. The joy of learning was everywhere- from video editing to games that taught them key skills in different subjects. Kids who didn’t like studying subjects like Physics, were now eagerly waiting for their chance to answer. For complex subjects like maths and social sciences, the teachers were asked to provide the kids some YouTube videos and animated lessons, making these topics more interesting and fun. Instead of just reading and gulping down the words, those kids started to visualise the concepts. This made them understand and learn those difficult topics. This practice eventually reduced the stress and burden of traditional studying. What’s the end goal? ApniPathshala has always aimed for self-sufficiency. “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” . Their goal was simple: teach students enough so they could learn on their own and, even more importantly, pass on their knowledge to others. The coordinators played a key role in making this happen, guiding both teachers and students along the way. As a result, many older students became mentors for the younger ones, helping them with different topics. Now, the school is full of kids who aren’t just taking knowledge but creating it. They’re designing, coding, and learning valuable skills that will benefit them for life. In fact, these students are now so comfortable with technology in classrooms that they can manage the computer labs and help their mates, even when a teacher isn’t around. Overcoming Challenges! Of course, you cannot expect such a change without challenges. Some teachers felt overwhelmed by the new responsibilities and the extra studying. A few even decided to leave. But for most, the joy of seeing their students learn new things was enough to motivate them. “It was a little extra, but we’ll do that for our kids,” one teacher said. Another challenge was making sure students didn’t just use technology in a passive way. ApniPathshala solved this issue by encouraging creative freedom. Students were inspired to design and create what they want. Whether it was making a poster on Canva, editing videos, or building websites, the message was simple: learn, create, and share! A Legacy of Learning! “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the
HOW DIGITAL LEARNING IS CHANGING SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION?
Do you still imagine education and learning limited to blackboards and books? If yes, then you’re in for a surprise. The phone and laptops that were just used for watching movies and playing video games, are now an important source of learning in schools. Initially a luxury, is now a necessity. Especially post covid. Whatsapp groups, google meets have taken over the traditional schooling system. Using digital tools in education has changed things in a big way. Schools and colleges are now using technology more and more to improve how teachers teach and how students learn. Digital education is no longer just an extra option-it’s becoming the main part of modern education. What is Digital Learning? Everyone knows what digital education and learning is, right? But, here we aim at exploring different aspects of digital learning in schools. As we all know, digital learning is any type of education that happens through technology. It can include things like online courses, virtual classrooms, and learning apps on your phone. It even includes interactive simulations that make learning feel like a game. Wanna know some more cool things about digital learning? Why is Digital Learning Growing So Quickly? The rapid growth of digital learning can be attributed to several key reasons: What are the Main Types of Digital Learning? Did you really think digital learning in schools is only about google meets and recorded lectures? How Will Digital Learning Improve Education? Now you would want to be eager to know how digital education has improved the overall quality of education and schools, right? So without wasting any time, let’s just hop on it. How does ApniPathshala Support Digital Learning? If we’re discussing digital learning in schools, we cannot afford to ignore a particular organisation’s work towards this goal. And that is no one other than our very own Apnipathshala! At ApniPathshala, it’s not just about online lessons-it’s about making sure every child, no matter where they come from, gets access to quality education. Here’s how they are creating a real impact: What are the challenges in Digital Learning? Obviously there is no road to success without challenges. While digital learning in schools presents numerous benefits, it’s not without its challenges. So, I hope we’ve given you a great insight on what digital education is, how digital learning in schools is going in today’s time and how online resources like various e-learning platforms and virtual classrooms have totally changed the time. Despite the challenges, digital education is thriving and IS THE FUTURE! It is revolutionising the way education is delivered, making it more flexible and accessible. Moreover, with initiatives like ApniPathshala, even students from underserved communities can benefit from this educational revolution. Said before, gonna say it again- the future of education is digital, offering students around the world new ways to learn and grow!