Akshara programme

Mahindra College is a host partner in implementing the Akshara programme. Being a non-profit organization with a goal of imparting top quality education to its own students makes it the logical centre for the programme. As well as providing physical support, its intellectual support for articulating the vision of the programme is a great advantage. It should be noted that although the programme uses the infrastructure of the college, no financial support is received from either the UWC organization or Mahindra College.

The Akshara Programme, launched in 2005, works to change the deterministic role that economics plays in people's access to opportunities.

The programme is focused on breaking a vicious cycle of poverty by creating conditions through which children from impoverished rural communities located near the college campus can receive a vocational or professional education. Once a participant has learnt a skill, Akshara uses its network to assist each participant in getting his or her first non-subsistence job.

Akshara operates in villages around the college, which is situated about 40 km from the nearest city, Pune, and about 7 km from the nearest major village, Paud.  While the programme involves partners including existing village schools, families, communities and formal and informal non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UWC Mahindra College is often referred to as the "host partner". The team is based at the college, which provides additional support including classrooms, labs, sports and art facilities, and accounting and pedagogical support.

Akshara is currently working with more than one hundred village students in the 8th, 10th, 11^th and 12th grades and students who are in further education. The 8th to 10th graders attend supplementary classes five days a week. They receive instruction in Math, English, Science and Marathi and participate in extra-curricular activities such as dance, theatre and art. After passing their 10th and 12th standard exams, students choose from a variety of opportunities for further academic and vocational training. Three former Akshara students are currently completing their final year at Mahindra College on full scholarships, and two more students are applying to join the UWC student body next year.

Dr Harsha Joshi

Director Akshara Programme