Something Bigger Talk Show FREE Education Model Revolutionizing India's Poverty Crisis | Parmita Sarma | Akshar Foundation
Learn about the FREE education model that is changing the game for India's poverty crisis, as shared by Parmita Sarma. This inspiring story showcases the power of education in transforming lives and communities.
About the guest 👇
Parmita Sarma is a social entrepreneur, educator, and co-founder of the Akshar Foundation, a transformative educational initiative based in Assam, India. Her work focuses on addressing systemic gaps in education for underprivileged children through innovative and sustainable models.
Top 5 highlights 👇
✅Turning Waste into Education
Parmita Sarma's school charges "fees" in the form of 25 pieces of plastic waste per week, transforming waste into resources while teaching sustainability.
✅Empowering Students Through Vocational Training
Students earn money by teaching younger peers, recycling plastic, and mastering skills like carpentry, tailoring, and electrical work. This approach enables financial independence and builds employable skills.
✅Behavioral Transformation Through Responsibility
The school pairs older students with younger ones, fostering empathy and responsibility. Misbehaving students have drastically reformed, earning money and recognition through their actions.
✅Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
By focusing on education and skill-building, Parmita’s model has helped underprivileged children avoid child marriage, earn income, and gain self-worth, ultimately lifting entire families out of poverty.
✅Scalable Impact Across Communities
With 13,000 students in Assam and expanding programs in other cities, Parmita’s model combines education, sustainability, and skill development, creating tangible societal change.
Timestamps 👇
[00:00] - Introduction
[01:09] - Starting point
[02:07] - Breaking the cycle of poverty.
[06:18] - Lessons about resilience and gratitude despite adversity.
[08:29] - Addressing education challenges in India
[12:50] - Students earn by mastering vocations and teaching others.
[14:56] - Students engage in recycling to promote sustainability.
[18:53] - Kids learn vocational skills to earn money
[20:42] - Student engagement and progress.
[24:22] - Akshar Foundation is training children
[26:10] - Parents increasingly desire vocational training for their children.
[29:36] - Students with challenging backgrounds
[31:19] - Transformation positively through teaching opportunities.
[35:05] - Peer learning and technology integration.
[37:04] - Passion-driven recruitment enhances teaching in all schools.
[40:51] - Education needs practical skills over traditional theory.
[42:52] - Education funding
👇 Connect with Parmita Sarma
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parmita-sarma-akshar/
Akshar Foundation: https://www.aksharfoundation.org/about
👇 Connect with Rodrigo and Something Bigger
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrigocanelas
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