Exams, timetables, rule books, marks, punishment. These words are fast being replaced by coaching, nurturing, exploring, leadership, communication. This is indeed a change for good. But sadly, this change in lexicon is seen in mostly non main-stream and elite schools. Why not extend it to every single child in India regardless of economic or social standing. Imagine the magnificent transformation it would cause!
Thus was born Vidyaprabha, a non-profit organization to promote educational excellence in under-privileged children through experiential learning methods with the purpose of defining and finding solutions to current educational problems and issues.
Rather than learn about a tree from a book, why not take them to the tree, make the children grow and tend a garden on their own.
At the core of Vidyaprabha’s program is the belief that given the freedom to explore and understand, children have extraordinary potential to grasp and think beyond the adult realm of imagination. The work of the parents or the schools therefore is to simply let them be and to harness their potential through experiential and experimental learning. We believe that education should set children free and not shackle or stifle them. All we have to do is simply watch as the new way of learning weaves its magic helping them blossom into sensible adults who will lead meaningful lives.
While his day job may be in the IT world, what keeps him up at night is the obsession to change the way children learn in Schools. He believes that many great things are achieved because the status quo was challenged by an individual. Srini Chintada is one such individual who walks, talks and breathes his mission on how to help under-privileged children in public schools.
Working in the USA software consulting industry over a decade, Srini interacted with several people at various levels and spent time understanding what clients really want and why, so one can deliver better. Through his experience, he realized that understanding people and their priorities is an essential part of solving every problem. He turned this flair into his passion. He started coaching as a hobby and as a part of that, he honed his skills of listening to people attentively.
He also volunteered to teach young kids in his spare time. While interacting with kids, he was astounded by their curiosity, questions, their reasoning and perspective. He then started applying the techniques learned in his corporate life to his teaching methods.
His ability to keenly listen gave him a deeper understanding of children’s behaviour, their interests and priorities. They may be children, but they are individuals with a unique point of view that matters.
The dream of enhancing the quality of education of every child in India quickly turned into a burning compulsive desire to revolutionize the current system.
Srini started off on his mission to make this dream a reality. He created Learning Center’s that can offer creative/experiential learning methods and practical approaches to understand real world situations. The simplicity of his vision makes one believe in its true potential.
Srini is like a man possessed. His zeal and energy to make Vidyaprabha a sustainable initiative is rare and awe inspiring.
- John F. Kennedy.
Enrich and transform the learning experience of Indian public-school children by providing them the required resources, tools and coaching on par with private schools. We want to set up over 100 Learning Center’s of Excellence across Indian public schools over the next five years.
Our purpose is to allow all Indian public-school children to experience success in learning and life by providing them equal access to educational resources, tools and mentoring on par with private schools. Our practical and experiential coaching programs will help students develop rational thinking towards solving real world problems.
We adopt and work with public schools in Rural India and provide them the support they need to create vibrant learning environment, which in turn contributes to holistic student development.