One School At A Time

Collaboration with One School At A Time

Param Hansa Philanthropies (PHP) believes in enhancing the quality of human life and recognizes that this begins with access to quality education. As a grant-making institution, PHP prioritizes collaborations that support innovative scientific research and translational efforts in computational biology, while also committing to initiatives in education. Our partnership with One School At A Time (OSAAT) focuses directly on addressing educational inequities in India, specifically through investments in fundamental school infrastructure.

The Mission: Transforming Rural Government Schools

PHP is investing in school infrastructure to improve the quality of education for poor, deprived, and underprivileged children. This crucial effort concentrates on Bihar as a key focus state in India.

The initiative supports OSAAT’s core objective of upgrading and providing infrastructure to existing government rural schools.

Two-Part Support for Modern Learning

The objective of this initiative is designed as a strategic two-part support system:

Overall Infrastructure Development: Ensuring a safe and functional environment for learning. PHP’s goal is to enhance school facilities by improving classrooms, providing drinking water facilities, and upgrading toilets.

Smart Classrooms and Science Labs with Internet Connectivity: A crucial component that aims to modernize the learning experience.

This combined approach targets the promotion of scientific literacy, seeking to facilitate access to science labs, especially for government higher secondary school students. Ultimately, the goal is to strengthen lab support in schools to promote interest in pure science, helping cultivate scientific temper among students from underprivileged sections of society.

Project Focus: Rajkiyekrit Uchcha Vidyalaya, Neora, Bihar

PHP has committed a total grant of USD 87,500 to support the comprehensive upgrade of the Rajkiyekrit Uchcha Vidyalaya, Neora, Bihar, India.

This school serves 433 students in Classes 9 and 10, taught by 10 teachers, with Hindi as the medium of instruction.

Addressing Critical Infrastructure Deficiencies

The need for intervention was urgent, as the school faced severe infrastructural challenges:

• The campus had three buildings, two of which were in very poor condition and not in use.
• Four classrooms were being held in the third building, which was also in poor condition.
• The existing toilets were also inadequate and in disrepair.

Project Status: We are pleased to report rapid progress on the ground:

• Construction began following the groundbreaking ceremony on December 15, 2023.

This initiative is already creating opportunities for scaling up similar efforts.

A Commitment to Improving Human Life

PHP aims to support scientific pursuits that enhance human life beyond geographical boundaries. Through this vital partnership with OSAAT, we are directly contributing to the development of young students from challenging circumstances who may one day contribute to the scientific advancement of the nation.

We cultivate a vibrant community of scientists dedicated to improving human life, and this foundational educational work supports that long-term aspiration.