Growth Factorials

Recently, I saw a series on Disney HotStar called “The Indian Edtech Story“. Among the episodes, the segment featuring Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya grabbed my attention, especially considering my recent association with them. One particular quote from the CEO Ujjwal Singh’s mother struck a chord with me: “Our kids in Ballia can become like Ujjwal, progress through education. They dont need to go to the city.” This summarises a compelling value proposition of edtech in India—delivering high-quality education to those lacking access to traditional formats.

Reflecting on my own upbringing in a rural area, accessing quality education was a significant challenge. I initially attended a government school but found it insufferable and left after just two weeks. Subsequently, my mother took on the role of my teacher. She taught me at home for several years. Although I transitioned to a marginally better school in Grade 5, it still fell short of offering good quality education. At 13, I moved to Kanpur, residing in a hostel and visiting home less frequently as I advanced through higher grades. It was a sacrifice made by my close-knit family, driven by the desire for me to have a brighter future. Had quality education been accessible in my hometown, I would have grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

Even today, many children in India lack access to quality education within their locally accessible areas. Consequently, numerous students relocate to urban centres or coaching hubs (sometimes even partial families e.g. mother might relocate with her daughter or son) for test preparation. This is where edtech platforms like Infinity Learn play a crucial role, bridging the gap by providing access to good quality education and learning to children who would otherwise lack access at home.

Every child deserves access to high-quality education within the nurturing environment of their home. This is the core promise of contemporary edtech—extending top-notch education to children unable to access it locally.