Hardworking men or women, whose daily bread requirements are barely met, dream of their children studying in a school that gives them the ladder to achieve a better life. Low-cost schools cater to such aspirations and hopes.
Low-cost schools are private unaided schools built on private lands, which are bought at commercial rates, with their own management committees requiring the government’s help only for recognition. Parents who send their children to these schools trust them to offer better academics, discipline and a holistic development of their child at a fee that doesn’t burn their pockets.
Currently being spread in more than 22 states, NISA or National Independent Schools Alliance began its journey in 2010-11 when Parth J. Shah, President for Centre for Civil Society and NISA, along with other enthusiastic edupreneurs made a PACT or Progressive Action Commitments to assist leaders of Budget Private Schools (BPS) and improve the quality of such schools while advocating their concerns regarding legislation, bye-laws and other immediate concerns, playing an active role in the education ecosystem by partnering with different organisations.
NISA took inspiration from ISASA (Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa), a six hundred schools-strong association that monitors the quality of schools through visits every two or three months. ISASA’s recognition stands parallel to South Africa’s government recognition. However, NISA is yet to match its status to the Indian government’s recognition. While building the model of NISA, its core committee engaged in several discussions with ISASA to establish stronger roots in the education ecosystem.
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