Isha Vidhya

Isha Vidhya is a pioneering education initiative that seeks to transform the lives of India’s rural poor.

It was established in 2006 (under the umbrella of Isha Education trust) towards building an India where high-quality school education is accessible and affordable to all, especially for rural underprivileged children.

Isha Vidhya’s rural schools provide a scalable model for delivering quality education within the limitations of underdeveloped rural communities. Children are given a holistic and nurturing environment to realize their full potential and learn in a joyful manner.

Isha Vidhya also carries out critical interventions to support government schools, which bring about significant enhancements in the education quality and has the potential to trigger an overall change in the public education system.

Isha Vidhya is committed to raising the level of education and literacy in rural India and helping disadvantaged children realize their full potential. The project seeks to ensure quality education for children in rural areas, opening the door for them to participate in and benefit from India’s economic growth.

Isha Vidhya’s English-medium schools use innovative methods for the overall development and blossoming of each student. The schools empower rural children to meet future challenges.

Teachers Sharings:

“The fishermen folk in this area are in a very pitiable economic condition because of which they cannot afford to provide education to their children in a quality school like Isha Vidhya. Especially the girls, who are victims of gender bias, are always left behind when it comes to providing education. We see in the class happy faces, and enthusiastic children who are ready to learn. Teachers are able to impart quality education because of the immense support provided by donors”

– Mrs. Jayasudha, Teacher at Isha Vidhya

“The newly constructed, fully equipped science lab in Cuddalore school provides all the amenities required for an inquisitive student and helps the teachers supplement classroom learning. We notice a unique spring in the students step when they enter the science lab. Many students who are not able to completely grasp the concepts in the classroom are able to gain greater insight when the teacher helps them conduct experiments. I was initially hesitant when I was put in charge of guiding the students through their crucial public board exams this year because it was a big responsibility. But the students made us so proud by scoring 100%, 99% and 98%! I think these amazing marks are due to the lab time when the students were able to clarify their doubts during the experiments. The science lab has even inspired me to continue my own studies while teaching the students.”

– Ms. R. Nilofer, Science Teacher, Isha Vidhya School, Cuddalore

“Conducting school elections is a way to simulate the real election scenario of the country. The students get exposed to this idea at an early stage of development and will grow up to become responsible citizens. We conduct elections once every year from 6th to 12th Standards and choose nominees for two positions – School Pupil Leader and Assistant School Pupil Leader. The elected candidate/student then plays a vital role in handling cleanliness and discipline in the school premises and as a liason with the school cleanliness committee. This time, 410 students voted for 9 nominees. The elected students benefit from this exercise as they become sources of information and support between the committee leaders and the school students.”

– Ms. Jessy, Science and Social Studies Teacher, Isha Vidhya School, Tuticorin

“Whenever our children are in art and crafts class, they enjoy it so much. Clay modeling is really an interesting class for them. It enables their finger coordination and strength. I taught them the step-by-step process and they followed everything so well. They did the model of the cup and saucer excellently. It proved an exciting, entertaining and enjoyable class for them. Their tiny fingers worked magically and I felt proud to be an art and crafts teacher.”

– Mrs. Jayasudha K., Arts and Crafts Teacher, Isha Vidhya School

Parent’s Sharing:

“If Isha Vidhya wasn’t there, my daughter would not even have reached 10th standard. By now, she’d be working as a coolie in a village. Her teachers took care of her like their own daughter. They even shared their breakfast with her every day because I was unable to provide it. I never imagined a school like this.” – Mother of Kavita, Isha Vidhya Student

Volunteer Sharings:

“This is something very important rather than giving money. The kind of satisfaction that I got from doing something for the children and the community cannot be measured. Thanks for the opportunity.” – Ankit Kumar Agarwal, Associate at Microsoft Hyderabad

“I first came to know about Isha Vidhya when we worked with them to create some teaching aids in Mumbai. I immediately knew I wanted to come and see the schools in action. What a vibrant, happy place to learn about the world and make friendships! I hope to stay in contact and work with the school in some way. Thank you very much.” – Mr. Robert Oates, Chief Risk Officer

“I am used to presenting in conferences to professionals in the field of medicine and post-graduate students in medicine. This is my first time talking with school students. It was a unique experience and challenging, as the questions were not predictable. The students were extremely receptive to the topic and understood what was conveyed.
I had no one to tell me about any academic or professional path in my school days. I feel that this way, I can help the rural children to ease into college and eventually a career in medicine.”
– Dr. Priya, Specialist in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care

Susi’s Story
V. Susi joined Isha Vidhya, Cuddalore at the age of 4. Susi’s father is a fisherman who works hard for his family and wishes to give his son a good quality education. He admitted his son in Isha Vidhya after many serious discussions with the school staff. Susi was the fourth admission made at Cuddalore Isha Vidhya. After one year, the teachers learned that he is a special child with behavioural problems. Isha Vidhya’s methodology and the teachers’ efforts have totally changed his behavior. He is now in 7th standard and is very interested in dance and sports.

Susi has become deeply involved in the school, which has made his parents very proud. His love of learning is such that he even comes to the school on holidays. His parents work relentlessly to make ends meet and support him. They would like to thank his donor for the sponsorship of his education, without which his future would be starkly different.

▵ Human Impact Stories (Isha)
▵ Field Stories (Isha)
▵ The Isha Way (Isha)

Isha Vidhya is a pioneering education initiative that seeks to transform the lives of India’s rural poor. It was established in 2006 (under the umbrella of Isha Education trust) towards building an India where high-quality school education is accessible and affordable to all, especially for rural underprivileged children.

Isha Vidhya’s 10 rural schools (9 in the districts of Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tuticorin, Nagercoil and Karur in Tamil Nadu and one in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh), serve over 8500 rural children, from kindergarten to 12th Standard. Over 60% of the students – most of whom are first-generation learners – are supported by scholarships. The rest pay a subsidized fee.

How We Do it

▵ Unique Methodology for Rural Schools

Isha Vidhya teachers receive extensive, on-going training to enhance their capabilities. At the same time, the scalable methodology is designed to reduce the students’ dependence on the teachers for learning. Key features of the methodology include:

• Multi-sensory, activity-based learning, which stimulates learning on multiple levels
• Interactive, discussion-based classes, promoting analytical and critical thinking skills
• English-medium instruction, emphasizing language fluency at a young age
• Extensive libraries in print, audio, video and computer materials, enhancing the learning process
• Digital classrooms, bringing the world into the village school
  

▵ The Right Environment & Holistic Development

Isha Vidhya students are given relevant exposure and equipped with essential skills for the 21st century, without losing sight of the traditional wisdom and diversity of India. The school infrastructure includes spacious, well-lit classrooms and clean toilets, rarities in a village setting. To ensure overall development, the schools provide:

• Nutritionally balanced noon meals, fortified with essential vitamins
• Medical health check-ups
• Sports activities and daily yoga practice
• Environmental awareness through “Little Green Hands”
  
  ▵ 26 stories Isha Vidhya Rural Schools

Isha Vidhya is currently carrying out critical interventions in 34 rural Government schools in the districts of Tirupur, Coimbatore, Salem and Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, impacting 10,000 students and 72 teachers.

How We Do it

The learnings from running Isha Vidhya, which cater to an identical profile of students at government schools, have led to effective methodologies that help government schools deal with some of their biggest issues. These include unmotivated teachers, large numbers of students lagging behind and poor English skills – all of which result in poor learning outcomes.

Isha Vidhya provides the following trainings and programs to tackle these issues:

• Happy Classroom Workshop for Teachers: An interactive workshop that helps teachers stay self-motivated. It provides tools for child-centric teaching, motivational tools for maintaining discipline, and making learning interactive and participative. The workshop helps teachers focus on learning outcomes and evaluate a child’s level of understanding on a continuous basis.
• Remedial Program: Developed by Isha Vidhya to accelerate the learning outcomes of children who are considerably behind their levels and allow them to get mainstreamed within a year or two.
• Special English Program: A multi-sensory program that teaches language the natural way and greatly enhances English speaking, reading and comprehension capabilities within 2 to 3 years.
• Programs Beyond Curriculum: In Tamil Nadu, yoga, sports, health awareness, environmental awareness and career guidance programs are also implemented in high schools.

▵ 4 stories Government School Support Program

▵ Skip a Meal Program (Isha)

▵ Blog (Isha)

Isha Vidhya
14, C.A. Theyvar Layout
Kannaperan Mills Road Udayampalayam
Coimbatore Tamilnadu, India – 641 028

Email: info@ishavidhya.org
Phone: +919442544458

Coimbatore School

Isha Vidhya Matric. Hr. Sec. School
Sandegoundenpalayam
Ikkarai Booluvampatti Post
Coimbatore – 641 109
Phone: +91-9489070097

Nagercoil School

Isha Vidhya Matric. Hr. Sec. School
Kurandi, Theroor
Devakulam Post
Suchindrum – 629 704
K.K. District, Tamil Nadu
Phone: +91-9442152229

Tuticorin School

Isha Vidhya Matric. Hr. Sec. School
Kottampuli
Pudukottai Post
Tuticorin – 628 103
Phone:+91-9442152228

Erode School

Isha Vidhya Matric. Hr. Sec. School
Perumapalayam, Kanagapuram Post, Vellodu – (Via)
Erode – 638 112
Phone: +91-9489070096

Villupuram School

Isha Vidhya Matric. Hr. Sec. School
Patthiyapettai
Thirunavalur Post
Villupuram – 607 204
Phone: +91-9442504641

Cuddalore School

Isha Vidhya Matric. Hr. Sec. School
Madavappallam
Samiyarpettai Post
Chidambaram TK
Cuddalore – 608 801
Phone: +91-9442504642

Mettur School

Isha Vidhya Ramaniyam Matric. Hr. Sec. School
Nangavally
Vanavasi Post
Mettur Taluk
Salem – 636 457
Phone: +91-9442168887

Chittoor School

Apollo Isha Vidhya Niketan
Aragonda, Aragonda Main Road
Chittoor District.
Andhra Pradesh

Dharmapuri School

Isha Vidhya Infosys Matric. Hr. Sec. School
Kamalnatham Road
Samichettypatti village & post
Dharmapuri Tk.
Dharmapuri Dt.- 636807
Phone: +91-9489045028

Karur School

Isha Vidhya Justdial Matriculation School
Chinna Sengal, Sengal Village
Krishnarayapuram Taluk
Karur – District – 639102
Phone: +91-9489045381

▵ Isha Vidhya (Isha)