ET BureauRohini Nilekani has long been identified with philanthropy, but with EkStep, a learning platform to improve literacy and numeracy of children between the ages of five and 10, she will be working with her husband for the first time. In an interview she explains how EkStep is intended to help plug the learning gap, the experience of being on the campaign trail and what it’s been like to work with her husband. Edited excerpts:
How did EkStep come about?
I’ve been in the primary educ ation space for 15 years. When we were at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) last May and looking at their MOOCs (massive open online course), I wondered why can’t we have a technology platform like that for children. There are 150 million children in India who are not learning properly. It’s a national tragedy. I feel it’s really worth giving a shot, to use technology and to do it smartly.
How did you manage to rope in Mr Nilekani?
I joke that I threw the phrase “200 million kids” at him and that caught his attention! And once he’s doing something, he does it in great detail and is able to imagine scale and platform in a way that is quite rare. He got his crack team on board as well, who were part of UIDAI. The technology part is being brilliantly imagined by him and his team. Fingers crossed, if we can create something that can help children learn better, ever ything is worth it.
What has it been like working with Mr Nilekani for the first time? Many people advised me not to work with my husband (Laughs). But we’ve taken that risk. So far, so good. We haven’t had too many fights yet.
Could you explain how EkStep will work?
Today, a school teacher will typic ally have students of very different levels of understanding, and it’s difficult to give personalised attention.
With EkStep, we hope to be able to give at least little children that personalised, curated learning journey they need. The child will be able to come on to the platform after being signed in by an adult. She could star t by playing an interesting game that keeps her engaged, and at the back end we will be able to gauge at what level the child is without necessarily having to give her a boring test. We are talking to experts around the world for this. The platform will be available on any digital device and right now, we are targeting children bet ween the ages of five and 10 years.
What was it like for you to be on the campaign trail with your husband?
It was gruelling. I admire politicians because they have to do this all the time. We had to keep answering tough questions and keep our cool because people don’t hold back on the campaign trail. There are a lot of people waiting for change to happen, they expect a lot. In a way that’s good because politicians cannot get away with patronage and brokerage for too long. They will have to make systemic improvements.
Is there some sense of relief, about the way things turned out?
I must admit there is. It would have been very tough. We used to avoid talking about personal stuff but last year we had to do an excess of that. So, it’s nice to regain some semblance of that.
How did EkStep come about?
I’ve been in the primary educ ation space for 15 years. When we were at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) last May and looking at their MOOCs (massive open online course), I wondered why can’t we have a technology platform like that for children. There are 150 million children in India who are not learning properly. It’s a national tragedy. I feel it’s really worth giving a shot, to use technology and to do it smartly.
How did you manage to rope in Mr Nilekani?
I joke that I threw the phrase “200 million kids” at him and that caught his attention! And once he’s doing something, he does it in great detail and is able to imagine scale and platform in a way that is quite rare. He got his crack team on board as well, who were part of UIDAI. The technology part is being brilliantly imagined by him and his team. Fingers crossed, if we can create something that can help children learn better, ever ything is worth it.
What has it been like working with Mr Nilekani for the first time? Many people advised me not to work with my husband (Laughs). But we’ve taken that risk. So far, so good. We haven’t had too many fights yet.
Could you explain how EkStep will work?
Today, a school teacher will typic ally have students of very different levels of understanding, and it’s difficult to give personalised attention.
With EkStep, we hope to be able to give at least little children that personalised, curated learning journey they need. The child will be able to come on to the platform after being signed in by an adult. She could star t by playing an interesting game that keeps her engaged, and at the back end we will be able to gauge at what level the child is without necessarily having to give her a boring test. We are talking to experts around the world for this. The platform will be available on any digital device and right now, we are targeting children bet ween the ages of five and 10 years.
What was it like for you to be on the campaign trail with your husband?
It was gruelling. I admire politicians because they have to do this all the time. We had to keep answering tough questions and keep our cool because people don’t hold back on the campaign trail. There are a lot of people waiting for change to happen, they expect a lot. In a way that’s good because politicians cannot get away with patronage and brokerage for too long. They will have to make systemic improvements.
Is there some sense of relief, about the way things turned out?
I must admit there is. It would have been very tough. We used to avoid talking about personal stuff but last year we had to do an excess of that. So, it’s nice to regain some semblance of that.
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