Masoom is an organization with a focus on children and youth and aims to empower students to bring about positive changes in society. Masoom believes that children and youth are the main engineers of social change as they are the future.
Masoom’s Theory of change
“If we provide quality educational resources that are lacking in Night Schools then we build a strong academic foundation leading to better career opportunities.”
Vision
Masoom’s vision is to support the youth learn while they earn.
Mission
Masoom’s mission is to enable night school students achieve their full potential through educational and policy support.
Our Story
In 2006, Nikita Ketkar (founder and CEO) initiated a participatory research project on Night Schools in Mumbai. The research was sponsored by Partners for Urban Knowledge Action and Research, (PUKAR)www.pukar.org.in an organisation that offers fellowships for young researchers to work on socio-economic issues faced in Mumbai.
Nikita formed a team of 6 researchers, some of which had previously studied at Night Schools, offering first hand experience and insight to the research.
The report “To Understand Educational Needs Of Night School Students And Developing Methods To Overcome Them.” was completed in 2007.
Above all, the research findings demonstrated the Night School students have a strong thirst for education, given that they would work all day and come to college in the evening to learn. However the learning conditions presented by the Night Schools were poor, and at the very least demonstrated the need for: Computer literacy support, Improved resource and infrastructure, a school library, nutrition as students are tired and hungry, support for problems at home, sex education, a counseling service and careers guidance.
The research team empathized with the dedication of the students attending night school as a last attempt for education, and felt the injustice and frustration with the poor conditions of the Night Schools that greeted these students.
The team shared the desire to make a positive change in Night Schooling, which naturally led to establish the organisation, Masoom.
Masoom was registered as a Charitable Trust on the 14th January 2008.
The team continue to work on Masooms 3 pronged strategic model, which is implemented in night schools in order to improve the quality of education received.
