Background

Access to educational resources for STEM subjects remains disproportionate in India. While engineering remains  one of the most sought-after career paths in the country, most children from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities lack access to quality STEM education, resources, opportunities, and support. This is emphasized by a lack of qualified teachers to provide quality STEM instruction. According to the India STEM Foundation, these issues are compounded by parents’ financial constraints, as most rural households cannot afford additional study materials or private tuition. 

Until as recently as 2020, Indian STEM curricula did not ensure hands-on engagement with engineering, which requires a focus on practical learning. While the New Education Policy 2020 emphasised experiential learning and practical training, the effects of this shift have not yet been felt in rural and underserved communities, where schools cannot afford adequate infrastructure.

According to a report in India Today, STEM education is also measurably more expensive in India, especially in rural areas, where it is 58.5% more expensive than humanities, making it inaccessible for many children. These effects of inequality are felt disproportionately by girls. As per the India STEM Foundation, many families prioritise boys’ education in the face of financial constraints and gender norms, or often redirect girls to non-STEM subjects, limiting their engagement with these fields. 

Let’s Go! was created with the goal of democratising access to STEM and engineering resources and engagement for children of all genders from rural and underserved communities. As the world turns increasingly toward IT and Science for solutions like sustainability, children barred from STEM learning will inevitably miss out on career opportunities in what will become a leading sector of development. As such, Let’s Go aims to introduce STEM at an early age to prepare students for the future.