Empowering Education: Transforming Public Schools in India for a Brighter Future
Since its inception in 2013, Mantra4Change has been a pioneering force in transforming public education in India. What began as a initiative by two visionaries, Khushboo and Santosh, has flourished into a national movement that impacts millions of children, empowering educators, schools, and communities across the country.
The Genesis of Mantra4Change
The story of Mantra4Change began with a serendipitous meeting at My School, a co-educational English medium institution in Bengaluru. During a summer camp, Khushboo and Santosh, both deeply passionate about social change, volunteered to teach children. This experience unveiled the pressing challenges under-resourced schools face, from the lack of resources to the critical need for motivated teachers.
Khushboo’s background in social work and Santosh’s experience with Teach For India created a perfect synergy. Together, they launched the STEP (School Transformation and Empowerment Project) program in seven pilot schools, marking the foundation of Mantra4Change. With the support of their first full-time team member, Anoop Erakkil, and mentor Sanjay Purohit, the seeds of systemic educational transformation were sown.
Growth
The Sapling Stage: In its initial years, Mantra4Change expanded the STEP program to 20 schools, leveraging learnings from its pilot phase. Guided by a philosophy of collaboration, the organization co-created transformation plans with school leadership, focusing on a thorough needs assessment, teacher development, and leadership skill-building through “Learning Circles.” This approach ensured continuous progress and deep-rooted impact.
The support of prominent philanthropists like Mr. and Mrs. Shibulal became instrumental during this phase. Their backing enabled the organization to scale its efforts and refine its approach, cementing the foundation for sustainable growth.
The Budding Stage: Recognizing the need for broader impact, Mantra4Change launched EduMentum, an incubation program aimed at mentoring social entrepreneurs dedicated to educational reform. Funded by Mr. Shibulal, EduMentum provided participants with expertise in program design, evaluation, and organizational strategies, fostering a new generation of change-makers.
During this period, the organization also introduced PACE (Project for Active Cluster Engagement) to support smaller government schools. By clustering 10-15 schools under an instructional leader, PACE facilitated resource sharing and created a collaborative ecosystem that amplified the impact of the transformation initiatives.
The Branching Out Stage: With an unwavering commitment to systemic reform, Mantra4Change scaled the STEP program to partner with state governments in Bihar, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. To manage this expansive growth, the organization established an in-house Solution and Design Team and invested in a dedicated Research and Development Team. These initiatives enabled Mantra to adapt its programs to regional contexts, ensuring tailored solutions for unique challenges.
The shift from a program-centric approach to a systemic one laid the groundwork for a ripple effect, reaching far beyond individual schools to influence state-wide educational policies and practices.
The Flowering Stage :Today, Mantra4Change stands as a beacon of educational innovation and excellence. Its STEP program has expanded across multiple states, adapting to regional needs. Highlights of this stage include:
Karnataka: District programs aimed at strengthening public education infrastructure.
Andhra Pradesh: Initiatives like Project-Based Learning (PBL) and bridge courses.
Bihar: Empowering districts through the District Empowerment Program (DEP) and PBL initiatives.
Uttar Pradesh: The innovative “Super-100” program, building a cadre of capable Block Education Officers.
Punjab: Recognition for systemic innovation, including the prestigious Collective Social Innovation Award by the Schwab Foundation at the World Economic Forum.
Programs of Mantra4Change
Shikshagraha: Shikshagraha is a nationwide education movement uniting stakeholders—government, civil society, markets, academia, and industry—to improve public education through a micro-improvement model and decentralized actions. The program empowers local actors, fostering collective action and employing data-driven strategies to: Build inclusive learning environments, Ensure quality education for every child, irrespective of background, gender, or abilities, Equip students with 21st-century skills needed to thrive in a globalized world.
STEP (School Transformation and Empowerment Program): STEP is the flagship initiative that closely collaborates with academic leaders, school heads, teachers, and communities to improve public school education quality. Implements school improvement initiatives within clusters to foster innovation, Encourages stakeholder collaboration for enriching student learning experiences, Promotes continuous improvement across schools, ensuring sustainable transformation. Through STEP, Mantra4Change demonstrates scalable and replicable school improvement strategies that can be implemented at local and system-wide levels.
STEM Education: Mantra4Change integrates STEM education into its programs through activity-based learning and cutting-edge technology.This program ensures that students, particularly from underserved geographies, are equipped with the tools to excel in rigorous and competitive career paths.
Missing Millions: Missing Millions addresses the challenges of children who are unable to return to school. Founded on the belief that every child deserves a fair chance to grow and succeed, the initiative
Project-Based Learning (PBL): PBL is a student-centered instructional methodology that allows students to engage in real-world, authentic projects.
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Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Information presented is sourced from public domains. For complete accuracy or any clarifications, please refer to the official Mantra4chnage website.
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