What was the initiative?

This initiative sought to improve educational outcomes in Tamil Nadu’s government schools by addressing systemic issues in teaching quality and student engagement. Kishore, in partnership with his partner organization, Chudar, implemented three key pieces of this initiative. First, the Government Partnerships Program aimed to institutionalize skill-based learning in 12 government schools in the Thiruporur block. By providing teachers with activity kits, worksheets, and training, the program emphasized building core mathematics skills over rote memorization. Regular evaluations and monitoring helped achieve an 18-20% improvement in mathematics skills across grades 6 to 8. Second, the initiative integrated technology into education through innovations such as the Chudar Box – a portable device that brought digital resources into classrooms – and the creation of Tamil-language educational videos in collaboration with Pratham. These tools helped make complex concepts more engaging and accessible for students. Finally, Kishore worked with Zoho University to identify and prepare mathematically inclined students from government schools for professional opportunities, demonstrating the real-world impact of skill-based learning.

What was the community connection?

Kishore’s connection to the community began with an internship through McGill University’s Arts Internship Office in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. During this internship, Kishore worked with the Eureka Education Team which focused on the development of educational resources. The two central tenets of Kishore’s summer included curriculum research and resource development and allowed Kishore to identify scope for continued work which became the foundation for his Fellowship year.

How was it innovative?

The initiative was innovative in its approach to tackling deeply entrenched educational challenges in Tamil Nadu. By shifting the focus from rote memorization to skill-based learning, it equipped trachers with the tools to track and improve individual student progress systemically. Kishore also introduced accessible technological solutions and localized educational videos, which addressed the logistical and resource challenges faced by government schools. These tools were designed to complement teachers, ensuring their integrations was practical and scalable. Additionally, the initiative fostered impactful collaborations to bridge the gap between school education and professional opportunities. By tailoring solutions to the local linguistic and cultural context, Kishore’s work ensured greater relevance and effectiveness, particularly for first-generation learnings and students from underprivileged backgrounds.

What is Kishore doing now?

Kishore has been promoted to Chief of Staff at Odessa Health where he has been working since 2022. Odessa Health works to empower underserved children and families through equitable access to care. Kishore has also co-launched a business consulting firm, Nandavanam, which employs an Asset-Based Community-Led (ABCD) approach to empower community organizations.