In an effort to bridge the digital divide and ensure that children in the slums of Dharavi receive equal opportunities to avail of digital schooling, the NGO Centre for Transforming India (CFTI)founded the School On Tab initiative.
Under this initiative, each beneficiary receives a new tab enabled with 1GB RAM, 1GB data
recharge and basic skills software, for the entire academic year. The kit also comprises a
protection cover for the tab and a pair of noise-canceling earphones. The cost for one kit is Rs. 12000.
Being a mother to three school going kids who are attending classes online, renowned
Bollywood director and choreographer, Farah Khan resonates with the issue of digital divide. In order to empower more children living in Dharavi with a literate future, she joins the
SchoolOnTab initiative, while making an appeal to more citizens to come forward and donate
on the website.
Understanding the importance of the efforts made by CFTI, renowned journalist Faye Dsouza
also hosted an open clubhouse conversation with industry experts on schooling in the
pandemic. Joining the conversation to drive awareness discuss the urgency of the situation
were panelists – Dr. Samir Dalwai (Child Development Specialist), Dr. Arunabh Singh (Director-Principal, Nehru World School) and Gurumurthy Kasinathan (Founder & Director of IT for change, education domain); along with Chitralekha Patil (Managing Trustee, Centre for
Transforming India).
Till date, CFTI has already raised funds for 400 of the envisaged target of 1000 tabs. It urges
individual donors and corporate patrons to come forward and help in any possible capacity.
To make a change and support the cause, log on to www.schoolontab.org and follow the
initiative on Instagram @schoolontab.
