Chalopadho is an organization promoted by like-minded educationists which wants to take what kids learn outside the class and use it to improve their classroom experience.Â
To help kids find their groove and help them connect their learning to their life experiences, Chalopadho has come up with a curriculum which is tailored to the pace of each individual child, thus improving their academic achievement.
Students taking these courses learn valuable tips that can open their eyes and feed their curiosity. Let’s find out more from the co-founder Shikhar Sethi!Â
What was the catalyst for you to start Chalopadho?
We felt what was being taught in the classroom didn’t translate into action in the real world. We have stuck to the same model of teaching for far too many years and its just not suited for today’s generation.
The classroom is not their only source of information or learning. We need to upgrade the way we reach and teach kids because they deserve infinitely better than what they have now.
We created an online learning platform to fill the gaps we saw in the field of education. We’re trying to make sure that education is more than just about marks and concentrates on application and understanding the world around us.
What is the initial mission of the organization and what kept you motivated?
Kids are already curious about the world around them. It’s what makes them kids. At Chalopadho, we want to keep this curiosity alive.
We call ourselves Chalopadho because it’s a phrase that is commonly used by parents and teachers in India to tell their kids to go study. We want to change the feeling associated with this phrase for the kids. We want padhai (learning) to feel like an awesome experience that they look forward to.
Our main motivation is our determination to change this status quo. Now when we see the reactions of the kids and their parents after using Chalopadho, we feel we are on the right path.
How does Chalopadho function?
Schools and their users get access to Chalopadho with all its features and resources. They (especially the teachers) also get unmatched service and support in preparing customised modules and implementing flipped classes.
Flipped classes are classes where the students access the modules at home followed by activities and discussions in the classroom. Modules are full of connections to real life and the entire
experience is like a game where kids have to unlock topics as they go.
Chalopadho also offers actionable data to the schools and teachers about their students which can help them make interventions where needed and cater to individual needs.
What is your opinion on the current education system in the country?
The education system in the country has improved since the time we were in school. It’s changing for the better. But not fast enough.
What is the greatest challenge for education in India?
We are failing to give each child a memorable experience that helps them figure out their passion. We need to encourage kids to learn how to learn so they become adaptable and are inspired to create on their own.
What suggestion would you like to give to the HRD ministry?
Fix teacher training and qualification mechanisms. Incentivise teaching so that it becomes more attractive as a profession of choice. We need all teachers to be awesome and once they are, we need to start relaxing standardisation and give more power to them.
Where do you see Chalopadho ten years down the line? What are your future plans?
We see Chalopadho keeping every child in India curious about the world around them and helping them use this curiosity to create new and interesting things and to solve the world’s biggest problems.