During her 27 years in the education sector, Rajshree Doshi travelled all across India — from Uttar Pradesh to rural Maharashtra — for training teachers of underprivileged kids. She found only one constant that remains in all children. “Every child is equally capable if they have somebody who believes in them,” she says, “Every child is the same — eager to learn and eager to face the world.” Rajshree is in the quest of finding such believers through the initiative she is heading — TFIx. Brainchild of Teach For India, which works towards the vision ‘One day all children will attain an excellent education’, TFIx takes things one step ahead. Selected applicants will be nurtured and their entrepreneurial skills sharpened to take on the problems of the education sector. This will be done, over a year, by the TFI team themselves.
This pilot programme sure has her more excited than nervous, “Challenges are a part of creativity. If you are creative, you will take them head on.” The first challenge that the applicant faces is the extensive application, to be reviewed by a group of selectors including TFI board members and others. Rajshree has spoken to every candidate who has applied, to understand what they expect. “Some want direction, others want to build a team. It’s interesting to know their thoughts,” says the Mumbai-based educationist.
“We are trying to work with children, who are our future, via youth, who are our present. We are developing the future through our present,” says 51-year-old Rajshree, adding that they are looking for candidates who are passionate and in it for the long haul.“It’s about children, it’s about human beings. Every time you see a underprivileged child, think about the disservice you are doing to them. Take ownership of what is happening in the environment,” she says.
Reach out: teachforindia.org