In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which wrought unprecedented disruption to school education globally, the Asude Foundation emerged as a beacon of change in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), a region facing the dual challenges of drought and economic backwardness in Maharashtra. Since its inception in 2020, Asude has been working in collaboration with the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to bring about a holistic transformation in 72 government schools, impacting over 14,500 students and 465 teachers within a remarkably short span of three years.

The brainchild of social entrepreneurs, Vyankatesh Kharage and Alria Monteiro Kharage, who are currently pursuing their Master’s degrees at Harvard University, the Asude Foundation has proven itself as a catalyst for change in the field of education. Their initiative addresses critical issues prevalent not only on the national stage but specifically in the Marathwada region, where challenges like water scarcity and economic adversity compound the difficulties faced by students.

India, as a whole, confronts a daunting reality. According to UNICEF, more than 12 million boys and girls are expected to enter the country’s labor force annually for the next two decades. However, the gross enrollment ratio at the higher secondary level (11-12) stands at a mere 57%, as per UDISE 2021-22. This means that four out of every ten individuals in India do not pursue education beyond school, highlighting the urgent need for interventions that can bridge this gap.

The situation in Aurangabad, as assessed by the Asude Foundation, is equally pressing. Less than 44% of students in the region can link their career aspirations with available education streams such as Arts, Science, and Commerce after Grade 10. Moreover, students, influenced by gender stereotypes, tend to gravitate towards traditional career options.

Focus On Low-Income Households

Compounding these challenges is the socio-economic backdrop of the students. Many hail from low-income households, with parents working as farmers, brick-kiln workers, construction laborers, daily wage earners, and blue-collar workers. An astonishing 82% of parents are school dropouts, making these students first-generation learners who lack a conducive environment to pursue educational aspirations beyond their communities.

In response to these formidable challenges, the Asude Foundation has crafted a three-pronged approach, aiming for sustainable and long-term improvements in education and career awareness for government school students. The North Star Program, designed at the learner level, stands out as a guiding light in the lives of students. This program also provides an experiential learning experience, imparting essential life skills and career awareness crucial for pursuing their aspirations. Implemented once a week and seamlessly integrated into the school timetable, the North Star Program has proven to be transformative.

“At Asude Foundation, we are deeply committed to guiding students towards realizing their dreams. Our focus is currently on the Marathwada region, one of India’s most drought-affected regions where we have partnered with government schools to focus on high school students from low-income households who have been particularly vulnerable to educational disruptions, ” shares Vyankatesh Kharage while speaking with The Logical Indian.

Simultaneously, the Teacher Development Program, targeting educators, trains government school teachers to serve as career counsellors and equips them with digital literacy skills for efficient teaching and learning. At the systems level, the Education Leadership Development Program empowers education officials to co-create and lead holistic education interventions, fostering a conducive environment for growth and development.

Teachers To Become Career Counsellors

“We believe that every individual ponders their life’s purpose at some point. Our North Star Program is a testament to this belief, offering high-school students, especially those at risk of dropping out a pathway to self-discovery, continuous learning, and a broad spectrum of educational and career exposure. Along with our in-classroom sessions, we actively involve parents, understanding their influence in supporting their children’s continued education post-high school. Additionally, we train teachers to become career counsellors within their schools,” Vyankatesh Kharage shares with The Logical Indian.

The outcomes of Cohort 1 (2021 to 2023) are nothing short of remarkable. Tracked over this period, Grade 9 students from eight government schools in Aurangabad witnessed a 13% improvement in attendance by the end of Grade 10. Moreover, the program successfully shifted the needle on career aspirations, with 82% of students now able to link their career goals with available education streams.

The success stories emerging from the North Star Program are both heartening and inspiring. Among these is Samrudhi Khole, a student at AMC High School Mukundwadi, who shares, “I wanted to choose Arts after my Grade 10, but when I attended the North Star session, I understood that to be a doctor, I needed to choose science. Now, I am working towards getting admission to a good Science college to pursue medicine.”

As the Asude Foundation’s North Star Program continues to illuminate the paths for government school students, it nurtures aspirations, breaks gender stereotypes, and provides a compass for a brighter, more informed future. In a region where challenges are as vast as the potential, the foundation’s transformative initiatives stand as a testament to the power of education to break the shackles of adversity and empower the next generation. 

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