A people’s movement towards education equity

Stories of Impact

From Zero to One in Bhagalpur

October 24, 2024

3 Min Read

In July 2023, a small team from Involve arrived in Bhagalpur, Bihar, carrying more than just their bags—they brought with them a dream. Bhagalpur greeted them not with open arms but with the quiet scepticism of a town used to lofty promises. Yet, their journey, aptly named ‘From Zero to One,’ was never about instant success.

They didn’t rush in with solutions. Instead, they listened. Days turned into weeks as they walked the dusty streets, meeting teachers, students, and government officials. It was during one of these unplanned conversations that a door creaked open—a request for help with the DIKSHA course. It seemed small, almost insignificant, but for them, it was everything. They poured their hearts into creating this online course, and when it went live, Bhagalpur took notice.

What followed was months of small victories—each one hard-earned. They visited all 17 blocks of the district, choosing 105 schools to pilot their peer learning programme. Every day was a test of patience and determination. The result? Students who struggled with Hindi improved, while others found a new love for maths.

But it wasn’t just about numbers. It was about proving that even in a place as tough as Bhagalpur, change could happen—not with grand gestures but with persistent, unwavering effort. And that’s how, from zero, they became one.

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