Enhancing the quality of education

The importance of quality and equitable education is universally acknowledged, but we have many miles to tread before we are able to achieve it. Nevertheless, a multitude of forces have been taking considerable strides to bridge these gaps in India, and introducing systemic change in the education ecosystem is a dire need. It is imperative that we realise the potential and role of different stakeholders, to create a conducive environment (physical and pedagogical) for the holistic development of students. With this mission, Deloitte India supports initiatives run by multiple non-profits who share our purpose.

Transforming the pedagogy

Katha, over the last 30 years, has played a pioneering role in using the art of storytelling to create conducive learning environments within schools and communities. Their innovative StoryPedagogy^TM model transforms ways of teaching – into a fun, engaging, and enriching experience for both students and teachers. In addition to increasing students’ enrolment, attendance, and retention rates, the pedagogy results in strengthening teachers’ abilities to promote creativity, competency, confidence, and commitment. It makes them feel motivated, resourceful, inspired, and inspiring, as they systematically teach the academic syllabus using Katha’s StoryPedagogy^TM.

Using this framework with disadvantaged students helps them develop an interest in the joy of reading, which is typically new for these first-generation learners in the family. They focus on girls – by introducing gender-sensitive, activity-based modules to promote education among girls and foster a positive attitude among them. Katha believes that the power of reading can enable children to become agents of social, cultural, and (eventually) economic change in communities. It exposes them to ‘big ideas’ and fosters crucial twenty-first century skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, the ability to be curious, and discuss and act using these stories. With these skills, Katha enables the children “to envision and create a kinder, more equitable, and sustainable world for all”.