The Founding Aspiration
Returning to the Roots of Social Change
Since 1947, India has been an independent democracy. By 2047, it will be a hundred years of independence. As we approach this milestone, we must address the increasing polarisation and widening inequality threatening our social fabric.
Our Uniqueness
Since 1947, India has been an independent democracy. In 2047, it will be a hundred years of independence. By 2030, we are expected to become the world's third largest economy. In the initial decades of independence, India used to take pride in the unity within our diversity. Today, the social fabric of our nation feels more vulnerable. The increasing polarisation, widening inequality, and such societal fault-lines are threatening our future. India is at this critical crossroad. A core conviction behind forming SoSC is this - what we collectively do in upcoming decades will determine who we become as a nation, and the answers we seek are not merely political, economic or technological. We need to return to the very roots of how social change occurs. School of Social Change is envisioned as a learning organisation to imagine afresh and model how social change can be effectively implemented. We want to promote more reflection and learning among professionals working in key service departments / sectors such as social work, education, philanthropy, health, etc. In a country with 3.3 million registered NGOs, thousands of organisations do the laudable work of implementing programs that improve the quality of life for different people-groups. However, these programs are unable to make a significant dent in the system, given the enormity of the challenges we face in India. School of Social Change is envisioned to function uniquely at the intersection between the implementation of programs and informing policy decisions. We don't just want to be an implementation organisation, or a policy organisation, but a hybrid of these two.
Our Vision
Typically, schools have an imposing metal door with a security guard stationed to ensure that all access is restricted. Imagine a world where metaphorically every school has an open door. A world where any child irrespective of whatever trauma they have undergone in their families or communities of origin, can walk into and through doors of learning & opportunity. Our vision encompasses: 1) Door of Opportunity - We envision a world where children across the education mortality spectrum find the right open door for them, addressing challenges of access, quality or relevance. 2) Formation of Identity - Education has a critical role beyond providing life opportunities for students. There is an aspect of nurturing the identity of students at formative developmental stages. 3) Character & Worldview - Education also has a role in shaping the character skills and the worldview of students; this is the way in which education becomes a vehicle of social change.
Our Mission
To function uniquely at the intersection between implementation and policy, extracting learning from programs to inform policies and using public policies to scale up social change.
Our Values
The principles that guide everything we do
Door of Opportunity
Children across the education mortality spectrum find the right open door, addressing access, quality, and relevance.
Formation of Identity
Education nurtures student identity at formative developmental stages beyond just providing opportunities.
Character & Worldview
Education shapes character skills and worldview, becoming a vehicle of social change.
Systems Thinking
We approach social problems with interdisciplinary, intersectional, and systems perspectives.
Our Objectives
Five strategic pillars driving our mission forward
To build a civic conversation on education reform, by raising awareness on quality education. To organise conferences, enlist volunteers, and engage with relevant stakeholders, to shape the future of education in India
To collaborate and consult with government bodies, educational institutions, corporates, foundations, NGOs, etc. to identify gaps and opportunities in the education system and policy, and to propose and build capacity for reforms. To undertake research, impact evaluation of education interventions, and pilot-testing of new pedagogies, curricula, assessment methods, innovations or technologies that enhance the quality and accessibility of education
To contribute to the development of educational infrastructure, such as classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other facilities, prioritising the most underserved schools or regions. To undertake a variety of programs that improve quality of education and learning outcomes for all students, regardless of their socio-economic background, gender, or ability including transformation projects, scholarships, etc
To support and promote key components of a holistic education such as arts, culture, values, mental health and well-being, etc. To provide opportunities for students and young people to explore, express and develop their artistic, cultural, and personal identities and aspirations
To establish, organise, start, promote, construct, maintain, run, develop and improve educational institutions for students of all backgrounds, without distinction of caste, creed or religion. To offer a range of educational programs, such as formal and non-formal education, vocational training, skill development programs, faculty development programs, etc. catering to the diverse needs and aspirations of learners, and preparing them for the future
Our Governance Structure
Four pillars of leadership working together for systemic change
Legal/Statutory Board
3-4 member team serving as signatories and directors as per government requirements
Advisory Panel
Wider team offering expertise in education and philanthropy to organizational strategies
Next-Gen Board
Younger partners investing time, talent and energy into SoSC's vision
Executive Team
Full-time leaders developing over time to lead SoSC's work
Our Journey - Year 1 Roadmap
The goal for any start-up in the first few years, is to figure out the right thing to build. For an organisation like School of Social Change, that envisions a transformation within Education, it is to identify the right portfolio of solutions that will be most meaningful to invest organisational time, energy and resources into, in the several years to come.
Q1
April
- Complete Legal Incorporation
May
- Board Meeting #1
- Bank Account Set Up
June
- Landscape study
- Begin fundraising (friends & family)
- Summer Internships
Q2
July
- Landscape study
- Fundraising (project-based)
- Complete recruitment of initial members
August
- Board Meeting #2
- Finalise 2-3 pilot projects
- Fundraising campaign for pilot projects
September
- Implementation of pilot projects
- Fundraising campaign for pilot projects
Q3
October
- Implementation of pilot projects
November
- Board Meeting #3
- Implementation of pilot projects
December
- Implementation of pilot projects
- Project Pitches
Q4
January
- Implementation of pilot projects
- Documenting learnings from pilot projects to inform future direction
February
- CCC – output 1
- Board Meeting #4
- Year end reflection and planning
March
- Year-end reflection and planning
- Proposals for the upcoming year