“Of the 97 fellows selected that year, I was the only rural college graduate. There was no one there who looked like me or spoke like me. I felt alienated, intimidated and judged by many.” These words used by Ashweetha Shetty while narrating her experience of moving to Delhi on a fellowship, describe one of the many dichotomies Indian education faces. Her story reflects the stories of millions of children who suffer from educational inequality, segregation and disparity in the quality of education provided in India.
India’s vast and diverse population poses a significant challenge in ensuring essential prospects such as equal access to education, a citizens’ fundamental right articulated in Article 21-A of the Indian Constitution. With the help of policies, campaigns and awareness programs, India rose to a remarkable literacy rate of 74.8% in 2018 from a mere 18.3% in 1951. However, the very same article reported the literacy rate among men to be 74.8% while female literacy rate stood at 65.8%; a stark difference that has prevailed since pre-independence times. At the core of these disparities lies the highly uneven economy of India, where the top 1% individuals hold 4 times more wealth than the bottom 70%. As many as 32 million children from poor or underprivileged backgrounds do not have access to education; a direct consequence of the widening gap between the haves and have-nots. This economic variability is further catalyzed by factors such as geographic and linguistic differences, caste and gender based segregation, religious beliefs, and stigma around children with disabilities. Among others, geographic inaccessibility poses a significant challenge. Efforts have been made to address this issue since the Right to Education Act 2009, which mandated primary schools to be located within 1 km of every child's home. However, they have led to more downstream problems. While successfully enrolling many previously out-of-school children in remote areas, they also led to an increase in schools with insufficient infrastructure, impacting resource distribution and hindering access to secondary and higher education, particularly for girls and learners with disabilities. Children with disabilities in India are among the most disadvantaged in terms of access to schooling and completion of elementary education. The establishment of special schools for these children aimed at addressing these issues proved insufficient, as they perpetuated segregation rather than fostering integration. While these schools offered education, they fell short of integrating children with disabilities into mainstream society. The ongoing discussion about how education is influenced by gender, caste-based separation and religious grouping has lasted for decades. However, the interplay of these issues adds multiple layers of complexity and cannot be resolved with straightforward solutions. In terms of gender-based disparity, girls generally have a lower literacy rate compared to males, which is worsened by caste and religious differences. Women in rural areas suffer the most in terms of accessibility to education, a consequence of the overlap of cultural beliefs, poor background, and geographic isolation. All this has resulted in a bumpy educational landscape characterized by visible segregation, starting as early as primary education and continuing up until college. The prospect of providing equal access to education to every citizen in a country as diverse as India is multi-faceted, marked by a complex interplay of factors, including gender, caste, religious affiliations, and socio-economic conditions. Technology is at the forefront of addressing, if not entirely closing, the prevailing gaps within India's educational landscape. At Turn the Bus, we believe in harnessing the transformative potential of technology to address the existing disparity in educational accessibility regardless of the social, religious or cultural background of a learner. Our vision manifests in the form of making digital education accessible to children from poor backgrounds via online tutoring, using platforms such as edX, our YouTube Channel and Turn the Bus app. The obstacles to achieving equal access to education are many and often multi-layered. Yet, they hold the promise of resolution if we take the initiative to tackle each layer, one at a time.
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“We can create a future where hope and history rhyme. But we have a problem.”- Katherine Fulton in her TED talk, describes how definition of philanthropy is shifting in the modern world and how the modern world can prepare for it. She further elaborates, “Our experience to date, both individually and collectively, hasn't prepared us for what we're going to need to do, or who we're going to need to be. We are going to need a new generation of citizen leaders willing to commit ourselves to growing and changing and learning as rapidly as possible.”
Philanthropy, in its core essence, denotes the act of giving back to the society that nurtures a person. It stems from an altruistic concern for humanity, which manifests in the form of donations of money, time, or talent. However, as outlined by Katherine Fulton, preconceived misconceptions about philanthropy and philanthropic outcomes often dilute the impact it can have on society and mankind. This ideology denotes the importance of picking the right non-profit to support and materialize the vision they hold, rather than being swayed by the predetermined parameters used to categorize them. Philanthropy in modern world holds considerable significance and manifests in the form of 32 types of non-profits, as listed by Forbes. Under a broader spectrum, non-profit organizations can be classified into five major types, which include charitable, religious, church, private foundations and political organizations. With diverse causes, choices and advices as to who to donate to, people new to philanthropy often find themselves at the juncture of multiple paths. Giving the right way requires research, understanding and defining the emotions, effects and outcomes of the cause one is committing to. Picking the right non-profit requires multiple considerations and actions, which are denoted below. 1. Defining the type of donation While monetary donations are the most common, philanthropy also includes devoting time and talent to support a non-profit or any social cause. Hence, defining what you want to give is crucial. 2. Understanding the “why” and “what” Self-reflection and a sound realization of why one wants to engage with a non-profit organization are important. Defining why you are driven to philanthropy and what social causes you feel strongly for will enable you to narrow down the potential organizations and streamline your search in a better manner. 3. Defining the criteria With the “why” and “what” answered, determine the criteria of your philanthropic work. This includes some relevant considerations such as your budget, kind of organization, duration of commitment and kind of relationship. These will help you pinpoint the right type of organization. 4. Researching online The internet is one of the best places to look for organizations in your vicinity or worldwide that work for the cause you are looking for. Websites such as GuideStar.org and GreatNonProfits.org can be good starting points to navigate the world of non-profits. 5. Connecting with the organizations While considering parameters such as net impact and overhead costs is crucial, these should not be the defining parameters for selecting a non-profit. Connecting with the organizations and understanding their vision, goals and strategies will give a clearer picture of their actual impact and how they align with your vision. Ultimately, one should decide on the non-profit organization one feels connected to in terms of cause, strategy and impact. The noble cause of philanthropy and its impact can be intensified if empowered by the right education and motivation. As urged by Dan Palotta, shifting the focus of philanthropy from the size of overheads to the size of dreams fosters recognizing the vision, dedication, and innovative solutions of non-profit organizations and ultimately redefining the approach to philanthropy and the way it shapes the future of the world. Education in post-COVID world has experienced massive shifts, redefining approaches, implementation strategies, and future outlook. These changes are determined by the role of artificial intelligence, marking a collaborative parallelism between machine-driven learning and human expertise. AI has been changing paradigms across various sectors, including healthcare, IT and education.
Since its debut in education nearly three decades ago [1], AI has been considered as a powerful tool for enabling new prototypes for instructional design, technological development, and education research that are otherwise impossible to develop in the traditional education system. The core ideology behind implementing AI in education is two-fold: first, it aims to bridge the socio-economic gap that existed in pre-AI times and second, it seeks to combine automation and personalization, both of which are important for cultivating successful and well-rounded development. AI’s reservoir includes deep learning, machine learning, and natural language processing (NLP), which are harnessed within educational and training software to enhance performance and learning outcomes. To improve educational systems for better knowledge delivery and assessment, these technologies are used according to educational models such as the learner model, pedagogical model, and domain model. Applications of AI in the realm of education are widespread, including:
AI also has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges in education scenario today and accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4. UNESCO calls for a human-centered approach to AI, aspiring to redirect conversations towards the role AI plays in reducing existing differences concerning knowledge access, research opportunities, and cultural diversity, all while ensuring it does not further widen national or international technological divides. This human-centered approach is at the core of our vision at Turn the Bus, where we take advantage of several uses of AI, including use of virtual learning platforms for students, personalized progress tracking and development of technology platforms for decreasing poverty-driven gap in accessing education amongst the new generation. In conclusion, the transformative power of AI in education sector cannot be overstated. It is an advantageous tool for navigating the challenges and considerations of modern education system to provide accessible, personalized and effective learning experiences to the current and future generations. From personalized learning paths to intelligent tutoring systems and administrative support, AI is reshaping the educational landscape in significant ways. It is not just a technological advancement but a catalyst for progress and a gateway to a brighter future for learners of all ages and backgrounds. While the journey ahead might uncover more challenges and ethical considerations, the appreciable potential AI holds in redefining modern education remains undeniably promising. To further understand and appreciate the power of AI in education, we prompted the popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT to generate an article on the same topic. The prompt used was “Write an article on the topic "AI in Education: The Changing Landscape," highlighting the transformative power of AI in changing paradigms in modern education and bridging existing gaps prevalent in the education sector now” and the result is given as below: “Education, the cornerstone of personal and societal growth, has always been a dynamic field. In recent years, it has undergone a remarkable transformation with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI has emerged as a powerful force, changing paradigms and bridging existing gaps in the education sector. In this article, we explore the transformative power of AI in modern education and its potential to revolutionize learning. 1. Personalized Learning: Traditional classroom settings often struggle to cater to the diverse needs of students. AI-driven educational platforms have the capability to offer personalized learning experiences. By analyzing individual learning styles, progress, and areas of improvement, AI can provide tailored content and pace, ensuring that each student gets the education they need. This approach can be a game-changer in addressing the one-size-fits-all approach prevalent in conventional education. 2. Access to Quality Education: One of the most significant challenges in the education sector is the unequal distribution of resources and quality education. AI can bridge this gap by providing high-quality educational content and resources to students worldwide. With AI, geography and economic status no longer pose insurmountable barriers to learning. AI-powered platforms can offer education to remote and underserved communities, thus democratizing access to knowledge. 3. Early Intervention: AI can identify learning difficulties and challenges at an early stage. For students who may struggle with specific subjects, timely intervention can prevent long-term knowledge gaps. This is particularly important in addressing inequalities in education and ensuring that every student gets the support they need to succeed. 4. Teacher Support: AI isn't here to replace teachers; it's here to support them. Educational institutions can utilize AI to streamline administrative tasks, allowing teachers to focus on what they do best: teaching and mentoring students. AI can provide valuable insights into student performance, helping teachers tailor their instruction to meet the unique needs of their students. 5. Real-Time Feedback: AI can offer real-time feedback on student performance and engagement. This instant feedback loop allows students to track their progress and make improvements where necessary. It also assists teachers in fine-tuning their teaching methods to ensure student success. 6. Enriching Curriculum: AI can continually update and enrich educational content. It can offer access to the latest research, trends, and information, ensuring that students remain competitive in an ever-changing job market. 7. Lifelong Learning: The impact of AI isn't confined to K-12 or higher education. It extends to lifelong learning, enabling individuals to acquire new skills and knowledge throughout their lives. This is crucial in a world where the job market is continually evolving. Conclusion: AI in education is not just a buzzword; it's a transformative force with the power to reshape the education landscape. It has the potential to bridge existing gaps, democratize education, and provide personalized learning experiences. By incorporating AI, we can move closer to an educational system that empowers every learner, regardless of their background or location. However, it is crucial to implement AI in education thoughtfully and ethically, ensuring that it complements and enhances the role of teachers and mentors. With the right approach, AI can revolutionize the way we learn, breaking down barriers and opening up a world of possibilities for learners of all ages. As we embrace AI in education, let's keep our focus on its potential to transform lives, uplift communities, and create a more inclusive and equitable world. The changing landscape of education is a journey we're all part of, and with AI as a trusted ally, we can create a brighter future for learners worldwide. ” [1] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2021.100020 Bihar and SDG#5 – Gender Equality: intrinsic linkages to quality in education and state support10/12/2023 |
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