A people’s movement towards education equity
Youth Leadership Collective
The Youth Leadership Collective aims to empower and mobilise youth to shape and influence educational policies and practices.
We see school as a space for youth development, tapping into this demographic’s natural self-confidence, entrepreneurial spirit, and energy. Our goal is to engage 10,000 young leaders by 2025.
Our partnerships with various CSOs working with youth help raise awareness about youth-led change in education and community development, using strengths like gamified engagement, digital storytelling, and logistical expertise to promote education reforms.
Co-creation with various partners leads to impactful interventions focused on tangible school and community improvements.,including infrastructure enhancements.
The initiative involves many youth volunteers in implementing 2-3 micro-improvements each year. It encourages youth to lead small, impactful projects that cumulatively contribute to systemic change.
Through various tools, Shikshagraha measures the specific outcomes of volunteers’ efforts (e.g., improvement in school infrastructure, student participation, community engagement) and offers personalised feedback to optimise engagement.
Every step towards education
Over 200 dynamic volunteers from the National Service Scheme (NSS), CommuTiny, ShikshaLokam, and Shri Aurobindo Society in Puducherry are working together to champion innovative solutions for India’s public schools.
These passionate youth leaders are driving change by directly implementing micro-improvements in schools, ranging from activity-based training sessions to digital learning tools.
Their collective efforts will go a long way in making education more equitable, engaging, and impactful for students across the country.
I’m Anand Gandwane from Baghwad village, Madhya Pradesh, where my parents are labourers. After completing my early education at a local government school, I earned a BSc from a nearby college. My passion for teaching grew while working with the Community Youth Forum (CRF) by SHEDO Sanstha.
I noticed many local children were either in school or begging, largely due to caste discrimination. Marginalised students faced stigma that pushed them away from education.
I couldn’t stand by, so I studied the Right to Education (RTE) Act and collaborated with teachers, parents, and community members to tackle these issues. My efforts led to eighteen previously neglected children attending school regularly, inspiring others to follow.
I also witnessed positive changes in teachers’ attitudes, creating a more welcoming environment.
This motivates me to advocate for a future where all children can access education without barriers.
