Drishti Foundation and Its Journey in Primary Education – Transforming Aspirational District Mewat in Haryana and Rajasthan

For 27 successful years, Drishti Foundation has been working at the grassroots level to bring about positive, sustainable change in the fields of Public Policy, Research and Development, Environment, and Higher Education. Since our registration under the Rajasthan Society Act, 1958 on 16 July 1998 (Registration No. 64/Alwar/1998-99), we have focused extensively on improving primary education in some of the most underserved regions of India.

One of our core areas of impact is Mewat, a socio-economically challenged region spread across parts of Haryana and Rajasthan. Recognized by NITI Aayog as an Aspirational District, Mewat has historically struggled with low literacy rates, poor educational infrastructure, and high dropout rates—particularly among girls. Drishti Foundation’s journey in this region is a story of resilience, innovation, and deep-rooted community engagement.

Understanding Mewat – An Aspirational District

The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), launched by NITI Aayog in 2018, aims to accelerate the development of districts lagging in key social and economic indicators. Mewat (now officially known as Nuh district in Haryana) ranks low in multiple indices—health, nutrition, agriculture, infrastructure, and most critically, education.

Mewat’s challenges in primary education stem from several interlinked issues:

Low enrollment and attendance rates in government schools.
Gender disparity, with significantly fewer girls attending school.
Poor infrastructure, including lack of classrooms, toilets, and basic learning materials.
Shortage of trained teachers and high absenteeism.
Language barriers, as local dialects differ from the medium of instruction.
Poverty, forcing children to work instead of attending school.

When Drishti Foundation began its work in the late 1990s, these challenges were deeply entrenched, demanding a comprehensive, context-specific approach.

Our Vision – Education as the Key to Transformation

Drishti Foundation believes that primary education is the foundation of all sustainable development. Without basic literacy and numeracy skills, children are unable to progress academically or participate meaningfully in economic and civic life. For Mewat, education is not just a developmental goal—it is a pathway to breaking the cycle of poverty, reducing social inequalities, and empowering communities.

Our mission in Mewat has always been clear:

Increase access to quality primary education.
Reduce dropout rates and encourage continuous learning.
Promote gender equality in education.
Enhance learning outcomes through innovative teaching methods.

Early Years – Building Trust and Awareness

In the initial years of our work, one of the biggest hurdles was community perception. Many families in Mewat did not see the value of sending their children, especially daughters, to school. Early marriage, household responsibilities, and cultural norms often kept girls away from classrooms.

Drishti Foundation began by engaging directly with village elders, panchayats, and parents to spread awareness about the benefits of education. We organized community meetings, street plays, and interactive sessions to share real-life stories of how education transformed lives.

We also ensured that families were aware of government schemes such as midday meals, free textbooks, and scholarships so that financial constraints would not prevent children from attending school.

Improving School Infrastructure

Quality education cannot be delivered without adequate infrastructure. Drishti Foundation worked with local governments and donors to:

Renovate and build classrooms, libraries, and playgrounds.
Provide functional toilets, especially for girls.
Ensure availability of safe drinking water.
Equip classrooms with desks, chairs, blackboards, and learning materials.

These changes not only improved the learning environment but also helped boost attendance.

Teacher Training and Capacity Building

Teachers are at the heart of the learning process. However, Mewat faced a shortage of trained educators, and many lacked exposure to modern teaching methods. Drishti Foundation initiated teacher training workshops focusing on:

Child-centered teaching approaches.
Multi-grade, multi-level teaching techniques.
Use of bilingual teaching aids (Hindi and Mewati) to overcome language barriers.
Incorporating digital learning tools where possible.

These interventions not only improved teaching quality but also motivated teachers to stay committed to their roles.

Special Focus on Girls’ Education

One of Drishti Foundation’s proudest achievements is its progress in empowering girls through education. Our “Shiksha ki Udaan” campaign has been instrumental in:

Convincing parents to send their daughters to school.
Providing bicycles and transport facilities for girls in remote areas.
Setting up safe, girl-friendly classrooms.
Recruiting female teachers to act as role models.

Over the years, these efforts have significantly improved female enrollment and retention rates in Mewat’s primary schools.

Innovative Learning Programs

To make education more engaging and effective, Drishti Foundation introduced:

Activity-based learning modules using local stories and examples.
Mobile learning vans equipped with digital lessons and science kits, traveling to remote villages.
After-school learning centers to provide extra support to children struggling academically.
Reading clubs and storytelling sessions to promote literacy from an early age.

Our bilingual approach ensures that children learn in their mother tongue first, gradually transitioning to Hindi and English for broader opportunities.

Leveraging Technology for Education

In recent years, we have integrated digital education tools into our programs through initiatives like Digital Pathshala. This includes:

Distributing tablets and digital content aligned with the state curriculum.
Using projectors for interactive lessons.
Training teachers to effectively use digital resources.

This has been especially critical in bridging the urban-rural learning gap and keeping students engaged.

Monitoring and Measuring Progress

As a research-driven organization, Drishti Foundation believes in data-backed decision-making. We regularly track:

Enrollment and attendance rates.
Learning levels through periodic assessments.
Infrastructure improvements.
Community participation in school management.

According to our internal evaluations, primary schools we have worked with in Mewat have seen:

Significant increase in enrollment, particularly among girls.
Improved learning outcomes in reading and math.
Lower dropout rates year-on-year.

Collaboration with Government and Partners

Our journey would not have been possible without strong partnerships. Drishti Foundation works closely with:

State education departments in Haryana and Rajasthan.
Local panchayats for community mobilization.
Corporate CSR initiatives for funding and resources.
International NGOs for technical expertise.

These collaborations have amplified our reach and impact, aligning closely with NITI Aayog’s development goals for Aspirational Districts.

Challenges That Remain

Despite significant progress, challenges remain in Mewat’s primary education landscape:

Seasonal migration of families affecting school continuity.
Persistent gender bias in some communities.
Digital divide in remote areas.
Need for more specialized teacher training for inclusive education.

Drishti Foundation continues to adapt strategies to address these evolving challenges.

Vision for the Future – Towards 2030

Looking ahead, Drishti Foundation aims to:

Achieve universal enrollment and retention in Mewat’s primary schools.
Integrate STEM education from early grades.
Expand digital infrastructure to all rural schools.
Strengthen vocational awareness at the primary level.
Contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education.

By 2030, we envision a Mewat where every child, regardless of gender or socio-economic status, has access to quality primary education.

From Aspiration to Achievement

The journey of Drishti Foundation in transforming primary education in Mewat, Haryana and Rajasthan, is a story of patience, persistence, and purpose. Guided by community trust, supported by partnerships, and aligned with NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme, we have moved the needle on educational indicators in one of India’s most challenging regions.

As we celebrate 27 years of service, our commitment to Mewat remains unwavering. Education is more than a program for us—it is the foundation for empowerment, equality, and long-term development. From the dusty classrooms of rural Mewat to the hopeful faces of first-generation learners, the transformation has begun—and Drishti Foundation will continue to lead this change.

“Reach out to explore collaborations, discover our initiatives, and contribute to creating meaningful, lasting change.”

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