Roots Foundation and Exide Industries Empowering Youth and Enhancing Communities through School Transformation and Healthcare Initiatives
1st May, 2024, India’s vast school-going population positions the country as a potential global power in the 21st century. However, socioeconomic barriers and skill deficiencies hinder its youth’s full potential. Addressing these challenges requires overhauling the healthcare and education systems, which are fundamental to both economic growth and sustainable development. Quality education equips individuals with vital knowledge and skills, while access to quality healthcare ensures personal well-being, efficiency and overall development. However, in India, the convergence of school transformation and health faces obstacles such as inadequate infrastructure, poor nutrition, and limited access to healthcare, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and contributing to high dropout rates.
Digitalization remains a challenge, with over 60% of schools lacking smart TVs and computers and 90% lacking internet access. As revealed by the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2021-22 report, dropout rates stand at 12.6%, disrupting education and perpetuating cycles of poverty. The actual dropout rates in various age categories are much higher. Despite the efforts of government initiatives such as the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Right to Education (RTE) Act, School Health Programme (SHP) and Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), the task of improving education quality and ensuring access to quality healthcare remains daunting. More than 30% of schools lack ramps and nearly 79% lack toilets for disabled individuals, making matters worse for specially-abled students.
To complement the government’s efforts, Roots Foundation and Exide Industries Limited collaborated to initiate the School Transformation and Healthcare Project in 2022. Their collaborative efforts have brought about significant changes, ensuring efficient progress up to the present year, 2024. Through this project, both entities proactively addressed challenges in rural government schools of Hosur, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. This program aims to create a conducive learning environment by improving infrastructure and enhancing healthcare facilities. Phase I of the initiative, implemented during FY 2022-23, saw improvements in five schools across three clusters. School teachers, community members, and government stakeholders noted that enhancing infrastructure, introducing science activities, and conducting WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) sessions increased student engagement and interest in schools. Moreover, an average increase of over 10% was noted in student attendance during session days. A simple random sampling survey conducted among students from all schools revealed that more than 90% recalled essential information concerning health, hygiene, waste management, and dental health. Additionally, over 60% of the students reported altering their habits following the sessions. This initiative boosted school attendance and enhanced students’ critical thinking skills through holistic development sessions.
In Phase II of the project, the number of adopted schools has increased from 5 to 10. To enhance students’ awareness of their surroundings while deepening their understanding of the technical world, sessions are held on social issues such as child marriage, concepts like good and bad touch, etc. Students have also been engaged in science experiments from time to time. Furthermore, medical camps in these project regions regularly scan community members for Anemia, Diabetes, and ENT issues. Additionally, dental and eye check-ups for 70+ students revealed dental problems in over 50% of cases. To provide medical assistance to the students, dental fillings and suitable medication are being provided to improve dental health of students.
The project’s impact is evident through success stories like those of Girish, a Samathavapuram High School student who initially faced challenges due to the lack of a separate washroom block, often sharing with females or resorting to uncomfortable alternatives. He says, “Thanks to Exide Industries and Roots Foundation, our school now has a separate washroom block for boys. I’m also grateful for the sessions and opportunities provided, like the inter-school performing arts competition where our school clinched the trophy, defeating 5 other schools.”
Over the past 20 months, the School Transformation and Healthcare Project has made a significant difference in the lives of more than 2,000+ marginalized children, promoting better school infrastructure and hygiene awareness. The project has enhanced facilities and addressed structural issues by constructing three well-equipped washrooms in schools, offering infrastructure support to ten schools and installing computers and smart TVs. This initiative has encouraged students to become more involved in their education, earning appreciation from parents. Furthermore, there has been a discernible rise in students’ enthusiasm for reading and their development of logical and analytical abilities.
The enthusiastic involvement of Exide Industries employee volunteers has helped strengthen the project. Their active engagement in diverse activities and sharing of expertise have enriched the students’ learning journey. This effort earned recognition at the BCC&I Social Conclave 2023, where Roots Foundation was honored with the Best NGO Award.
In 2024, both Roots Foundation and Exide Industries continue to envision a brighter future for Indian schools, advancing together in the direction of School Transformation. Concerted contributions have been consistently shaping the path forward towards this shared vision.
While our efforts are just a drop in the ocean as far as strengthening the overall education and healthcare infrastructure of the country is concerned, we plan to increase our footprint to 20,000+ students in the next 2 years. Through collaborative efforts, we will strive to holistically develop the community by involving efforts across education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social cohesion – ensuring balanced and sustainable progress, enhancing the overall quality of life and nurturing resilience and collective well-being.