As we embark on another transformative phase of the “Angrezi Medium” initiative, we look back with pride and gratitude at the journey that has brought us here. Set to launch on ‘World Literacy Day’, “Angrezi Medium” is not just an educational program—it’s a movement, a mission that challenges the conventional boundaries of classroom learning. Rooted in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Calcutta Avyanna, Pathanam (Blended Knowledge Management System), and The Education Trust (TET), this initiative continues to grow thanks to a vibrant and expanding community of mentors. Together, we are reshaping the way education is perceived, delivered, and experienced.
Conceived with the bold vision of bridging the educational divide between urban and rural India, “Angrezi Medium” started as a pilot project. What began as an experiment soon captivated the imaginations of educators, students, and parents. By connecting senior students from elite urban schools with young learners from underprivileged rural backgrounds, the program has successfully brought experiential learning, digital literacy, and English proficiency to some of the most remote corners of West Bengal.
From its modest beginnings in 2022—with just 20 mentor-mentee pairs working to close the literacy gap—the program has expanded exponentially. Now, with the start of ‘Phase 4‘ in September 2024, over 1,000 students have participated in this groundbreaking initiative. The growth of “Angrezi Medium” stands as a testament to the power of community-driven change and a shared commitment to educational equity.
Phase 4: Scaling New Heights
Phase 4 marks the program’s most ambitious chapter yet. This phase will see the participation of over 150 new mentor-mentee pairs, involving both urban and rural schools across the state. But this phase is not just about scaling up, it’s about creating a new educational paradigm that is accessible, inclusive, and transformative. In Phase 4, students from prestigious English-medium schools in Kolkata will break free from the city’s privileged enclaves and engage in shaping the educational landscape of rural Bengal, becoming catalysts for a more just and equitable future.
At its core, “Angrezi Medium” is driven by an unwavering mission: to eradicate the foundational English literacy crisis plaguing rural primary schools, while empowering urban students to become agents of change. In this upcoming phase, the program will further extend its reach into rural communities, offering urban mentors the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of their mentees.
A Holistic, Experiential Approach
What sets “Angrezi Medium” apart is its unique, holistic approach to education. The program goes far beyond traditional teaching methods. Urban mentors undergo rigorous training, not just in teaching pedagogy but also in experiential learning techniques, classroom management, and digital fluency. These skills enable them to navigate the complexities of virtual learning environments and the socio-economic disparities that often characterize the relationship between mentors and mentees.
For the rural students, the impact is profound. Many are first-generation learners with limited access to quality English education. Through “Angrezi Medium“, they are not just learning a new language, they are being introduced to a world of opportunities. The curriculum is carefully designed to enhance their skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, while also building their digital fluency—key competencies that will serve them well in their academic and professional futures.
Global Reach and Cross-Cultural Exchange
One of the most exciting developments in Phase 4 is the program’s growing global footprint. This phase will see the participation of mentors from the United States of America, who will work alongside their Indian counterparts to bring a global perspective to this local mission. This cross-cultural exchange benefits not only the rural students but also the mentors themselves, offering them invaluable insights into the challenges and rewards of teaching in diverse environments.
A Call to Action
As we prepare to launch this new phase, Angrezi Medium is actively seeking the support of individuals, schools, and organizations committed to making a lasting impact on education in India. Our mission remains clear: to create a world where no child is left behind, where education is a right, not a privilege, and where the barriers of geography and socio-economic status do not prevent rural Bharat from receiving a quality education with digital fluency.
Together, we can continue to build a future where education knows no boundaries, and where every child whether from an urban metropolis or a remote village has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
