IIT grads in Mumbai are making learning fun for kids from government schools

Six classrooms, a computer lab and some IIT-Bombay graduates are making all the difference in the lives of 130 students from government schools

Six classrooms, a computer lab and some IIT-Bombay graduates are making all the difference in the lives of 130 students from government schools.

Asha Trust in Powai uses new teaching techniques to help students, mainly from govt schools, to cope with lessons.(Satish Bate/HT Photo)

The Asha Trust in Powai helps students, mainly from municipal schools, cope with their lessons. Unlike other coaching classes that ask for exorbitant fees, the trust charges between Rs100 and Rs500 to coach them.

“Most students who come to us are from municipal schools. Many of them are not able to read and write, even though they are in Class 5,” said Dr Smita Puniyani, chapter co-ordinator, Asha Trust Mumbai.

Their parents cannot afford to send them to tuitions and coaching classes. “The fees adds to their burden. So we thought, why not ensure everyone gets quality education without paying a bomb?” said Puniyani.

Asha’s approach to learning is different too, and the students love it. “In school, we are asked to mug things up. Here, the teachers help us understand every lesson,” said Kajal Kanojia, a student from a Bhandup school.

One such teacher is Abhishek Kumar, an IIT graduate, who decided to become a full time teacher at Asha, instead of pursuing other job opportunities. He teaches math, social studies and Hindi to high school children. This year, he is also helping six students prepare for the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) in November. “I want to conduct an aptitude test and train students for JEE examination as well. I wish I had more time,” said Kumar.

Kumar said Abhyasika, a student initiative at IIT, made him realise his love for teaching. His colleague, another IIT graduate Suranjan Sen, is training his students for NEET.