Today, I learned about cell structure and its functions through television at our school. I find studying on TV appealing, as the videos incorporate cartoons and diagrams. Now, I retain what my teachers teach, and I don’t feel drowsy,” says Siya, daughter of a cook and a laborer, in conversation with The Better India.
She continues, “Besides Science and Mathematics, we’re also learning English through YouTube. When I go home, I showcase my English-speaking abilities to my parents. I aspire to become a doctor.”
Siya is among the 100,000 students in Muskaan Dreams, a venture led by Abhishek Dubey, aiming to infuse excitement into learning within government schools. The organization employs various strategies, including leveraging animations and entertaining videos, to teach the NCERT syllabus. Muskaan Dreams seeks to bridge the digital divide by revolutionizing education for marginalized rural children, without imposing any additional financial burden.
Abhishek has instituted multiple strategies, including educating students with the NCERT curriculum through animated and enjoyable videos. Abhishek has introduced several methods, including utilizing animated and engaging videos to teach students the NCERT curriculum.
“Our focus is on digital inclusion. We envision every child receiving digital education, as technology shapes our future. Failure to adapt to digital methods could limit these students’ opportunities. Through Muskaan Dreams, we aim to bring smiles to these children and help them realize their dreams of brighter careers,” emphasizes the 31-year-old founder.
Founded in 2017, this non-profit has collaborated with 1,000 government schools across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
‘A Stand That Shaped My Path’ Raised in a rural Gwalior farming family, Abhishek’s passion for teaching underprivileged children ignited during his college years. While pursuing a computer science engineering degree in 2013, he started dedicating his weekends to educating children in government-run shelters.
“One day, I accompanied a classmate who was teaching shelter home students. Witnessing the lack of educational opportunities for these children was eye-opening. Many came from single-parent families and rural or tribal backgrounds. My rural upbringing enabled me to connect with them, and a strong desire to teach them emerged,” he recalls.
Within two years, their efforts grew, enlisting 200 volunteers and expanding their reach to Bhopal and Indore. What began as a weekend pursuit soon evolved into a more substantial commitment.
Having completed his engineering degree in 2016, Abhishek made the decisive choice to dedicate himself fully to educating children—a decision met with resistance from his parents. “My father, a government official, strongly opposed my decision. He urged me to secure a stable job and abandon the idea. However, I remained steadfast,” he adds.
