The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a non-profit organisation that works to combat malnutrition and classroom hunger in Indian schools. Akshaya Patra strives to encourage students to attend school at the same time by implementing the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (earlier known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme) in government and government-aided schools. Since 2000, Akshaya Patra has tried to provide students with nutritional nourishment every school day. To serve millions of children, the Foundation is constantly utilising technology. Its cutting-edge kitchens have attracted fascinated tourists from all over the world and have become a subject of study. Currently, the organisation serves mid-day meals to over 2 million children every day.
Any attempts to attain ‘learning for all’ and a ‘healthy society’ should be centred on children. Investing in education is a crucial step towards both human and economic growth. Children from vulnerable communities, who are largely affected by inadequate educational opportunities and nutritional access, must receive special support in school to help them overcome these obstacles. Expanding its Circle of Care in order to support the holistic development of children, Akshaya Patra started Beyond The Meals initiative.
Beyond The Meals
Abhay Remedial Classes
We at The Akshaya Patra Foundation firmly believe that today's children will carry the torch for tomorrow, hence it is crucial that we support them during their formative years by combining thoughtful nutritional and educational initiatives.
The Foundation's Vrindavan kitchen in Uttar Pradesh's catchment area hosted the Abhay initiative's pilot launch in 2018. The programme was founded on the idea that, in order to fully realise the immense potential and limitless abilities that reside inside our children, especially in rural India, we must protect their right to an education.
The Abhay Remedial Classes works on two fronts: first, to improve students' fundamental learning skills (i.e., their capacity to read simple text and perform basic maths), and second, to assist their general development through extracurricular activities. Every day from Monday through Saturday between 4 pm to 6 pm in the evening, remedial classes are held. Additionally, children are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities including painting, games, making crafts out of trash, singing and so on in addition to their education.
“I have started coming here regularly in the evening. It has helped me improve at studies. Now I can read English text, which I was not able to earlier. In Maths, I have improved in multiplication and division,” says Sonu Singh, a student of the Abhay initiative.
National Endeavour for Student Transformation (NEST)
The National Endeavour for Student Transformation (NEST), a beyond-meals project by Akshaya Patra to widen our circle of care, was introduced in 2019. All of the NEST initiatives were developed with the goal of improving the educational opportunities offered to students in Government and Aided Schools across the country through collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking.
The goal of NEST initiative is to support the overall development of the nation's future generation. These programmes range from developing students' creative abilities in a secure learning environment to providing financial assistance to students from low-income households.
The Foundation runs three programmes under the NEST initiative. They are:
Digital Education Programme: This is a part of Akshaya Patra's flagship NEST campaign, which collaborates with the government school system to enhance educational quality, foster an environment that fosters exceptional learning outcomes and make learning enjoyable.
As part of this initiative, BYJU'S provides students free streaming licences and smart classrooms so they may access top-notch, technologically advanced educational programming. While various technology partners provide tabs for students.
This programme strives to bridge the digital learning gap among children coming from backgrounds with limited opportunities.
School Rejuvenation Programme: This aims to create a secure and long-lasting learning environment for government school children. The programme's main goal is to improve the infrastructure of schools, from providing boys and girls with separate restrooms and adequate drinking water facilities to increasing enrollment and retention rates and improving academic results in the classroom.
AVSAR Scholarship Programme: The scholarship programme works to support deserving students who are seeking post-secondary education financial aid so they can better plan their futures. Additionally, through providing financial aid, this effort seeks to lower dropout rates and help them in achieving their dreams.
Akshaya Patra has been a pioneer in promoting education among the underserved sections of the community. From creating opportunities for children to pursue quality education, the Foundation has continuously strived to provide the latest educational tools and techniques to children who have restricted access to opportunities. The above initiatives cater to thousands of children every day. Your collective support is a must to keep the momentum going.
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