UIP-3: Which Road Leads to a Better Future: School or Non-School Path?

1. Problem Statement ⚡

Every child deserves a chance to dream, learn, and step out of the cycles of poverty that hold their communities back. Yet, for many children in marginalized communities, the path to education is filled with crossroads. Each day presents a choice between two roads - the School Road, leading to learning and opportunity, and the Non-School Road, often dictated by poverty, household duties, early marriage, or social pressures.

The communities we work with, including the Waghri, Sikligar, Mahar, Matang, and Pardi often undervalue education, viewing it as secondary to immediate family or financial needs. At Ashraya, school dropouts have reduced from over 10% to nearly 3%, yet it remains a pressing challenge. These dropouts persist due to financial hardship, family businesses, or the belief that education can wait. We also observe students missing school for long periods to celebrate festivals or help with household work, not due to a lack of interest, but because parents themselves encourage it, unaware that every absence widens the learning gap. For many families, the School Road is not prioritized as marriage, household responsibilities, or daily wage work take precedence. Despite the legal age of marriage being 18, many girls are engaged far earlier, pulled out of school, and denied the right to dream beyond early motherhood.

Through this project, students reflected on these two roads, understanding that the choices made today determine the life they build tomorrow. Choosing the School Road is not just about attending school; it is about choosing dignity, independence, and the power to change one’s own story.

2. Project Description 🎭

To explore this vital question, Grade 3 students of Hamari Shala presented their Unit Integrated Project (UIP) titled “The Two Roads.” project beautifully portrayed two contrasting life paths - one shaped by education (the School Road) and the other by its absence (the No School Road). Through engaging class discussions, storytelling, posters, slogans, surveys, and a heartfelt skit, students expressed how every choice we make today defines the future we build tomorrow.

Drawing from their Social Studies and Language lessons, students discovered that school is more than just academics, it’s where friendship, curiosity, and dreams begin to grow.

✨ Activities included:

• Classroom discussions on the purpose and value of education.

• Sharing real-life stories of people who transformed their lives through learning.

• Designing creative posters and slogans like “School is Cool” and “Education Lights the Future!”

• Conducting a community survey to understand perceptions around schooling and reasons for absenteeism.

• A lively skit – “The Two Roads,” portraying two contrasting futures: one where a child chooses “No School Road” and struggles, and one where a student takes the “School Road” and thrives.

💡 Outcome: The project encouraged both students and parents to recognise that education is not just about academics, it is the foundation for opportunity, dignity, and empowerment. It helped spread awareness that education is one of the most important and correct choices in life, building a bridge between classroom learning and community understanding.

3. Project Goals / Objectives 🎯

This UIP was designed to help students connect classroom learning with real-life decisions, highlighting how each choice shapes their personal growth, future opportunities, and the well-being of their community.

Objectives:

📘Understand the Transformative power of education: Students learned that education is not just academic knowledge, it is a tool that can transform lives, open doors to opportunities, and provide the foundation for independence and success.

🌟 Recognize the impact of choices: Students explored how decisions made today, whether attending school, engaging in learning, or prioritizing responsibilities- shape their future, careers, and life paths.

🌱 Raise awareness in the community: Through conversations with parents and community members, students highlighted education as a valuable, lifelong asset, emphasizing the long-term benefits of staying on the School Road.

🤝 Foster stronger school–community connections: The project encouraged collaboration between students, families, and teachers through storytelling, performances, and shared reflections, strengthening mutual understanding and support.

In Ashraya’s context, this UIP also addressed a critical challenge - families’ hesitation to send children to school. Students became ambassadors of change, using empathy, creative expression, and dialogue to demonstrate how education and informed choices can transform lives and open pathways to fulfilling careers.

4. Process and Timeline 🗓️

The project unfolded step by step, blending classroom learning with community engagement:

• Classroom Learning: Students began by reflecting on their daily school experiences and discussing why some children skip school.

• Storytelling & Discussions: Teachers shared inspiring examples of people who transformed their lives through education, helping students connect classroom lessons to real-world outcomes.

• Creative Expression: Children designed vibrant posters and slogans, communicating the joy, value, and importance of schooling.

• Community Survey – “School is Cool”: Students actively engaged with parents, asking about their own schooling experiences, challenges faced, and aspirations for their children’s education.

• Theatrical Presentation – “The Two Roads”: Students brought to life two contrasting life paths - one without education, leading to struggle, and one with education, fostering growth, creativity, confidence, and opportunity.

• Community Showcase: The project concluded with a unifying and motivating message:“Parents, send your children to school! Students, never miss a day! Ashraya’s Hamari Shala is COOL!”This was followed by a joyful rendition of “School Chale Hum.”

Through these stages, students did more than learn - they taught, inspired, and transformed their community’s perspective, demonstrating firsthand the power and significance of education.

5. Student Reflection 💭

• 💡 Education as Empowerment: Students realised that education is far more than reading and writing, it gives them a voice, choice, and confidence to shape their own lives.

• 🛤️ Choices Shape Futures: They understood that the road they take today directly influences the person they become tomorrow.

• 👧 Girls Deserve Equal Dreams: Students reflected on the importance of equal opportunities for girls, recognising that education should always come before early marriage.

• 🏫 School as Joy: They discovered that school is not just a place to learn but also a space to explore creativity, build friendships, and grow holistically.

• 🌍 Community Impact: Through their surveys and skit, they experienced firsthand how awareness can transform families’ thinking, encouraging regular attendance and valuing learning.

This reflection turned awareness into ownership, students now see themselves as changemakers, carrying forward the message that “education is the right road to a brighter tomorrow.”

Closing Thought 🌟

“The Two Roads” showed our Grade 3 students that every choice shapes a child’s future. At Ashraya, we go miles beyond to ensure no child drops out and every child, especially every girl can walk the School Road, a path of knowledge, dignity, and hope. Through Hamari Shala and our College Program, we empower learners from early education to professional success, breaking cycles of poverty and unlocking potential.

Call to Action ✊

At Ashraya, we stand with every child as they pursue education and build a brighter future. We are inspired by the perseverance of our students and the commitment of families who believe in the power of learning.

👉 Support us in empowering more children to stay in school, learn with joy, and shape their own destinies. Together, let’s create a world where every child has the right to the School Road.