On World Teachers' Day, October 5, Planet Aid recognizes the critical role that teachers play in shaping a better future. Planet Aid helps fund teacher training programs around the globe, often through strong cooperation agreements with national governments. These programs contribute to an increase in access to education for children who come from disadvantaged communities, mostly located in rural areas.

The teacher training programs Planet Aid supports equip teachers with the ability to facilitate learning and help students develop a sense of belonging and responsibility for development of their own communities, on top of teaching the fundamental skills of languages, mathematics and understanding of the wider world.

Planet Aid’s Support in Bridging the Gap

Planet Aid’s Office of Global Partnerships plays a key role in building equitable, quality education for children and training of teachers across sub–Saharan Africa and India. In India, Planet Aid supports local partner Humana People to People India (HPPI) in securing grant funding from US-based donor agencies and foundations. One example is working with the Rural India Supporting Trust (RIST). In partnership with RIST, HPPI addresses the learning needs of children from poor and marginalized communities under the headline “Kadam 2030 - No Child Left Behind.” Kadam being the Hindi word for “Step Up.”

The project aims to directly reach 450,000 in school and out of school children with bridge education that will close their learning gaps and provide a foundation that will enable children to continue their zest for life-long learning.

In addition to supporting our local partners in building strong partnerships, Planet Aid uses funds generated from the sale of donated clothes and shoes to provide essential, unrestricted funding, ensuring the sustainability of these educational initiatives.

The Kadam Program: A Lifeline for Out-of-School Children

In India, where the education system faces immense challenges, teacher training is essential to addressing the crisis. According to a 2021–2022 report from India’s Ministry of Education, dropout rates in primary and middle schools remain high, and nearly 70 percent of children are in learning poverty. To tackle this urgent issue, well-trained educators are vital to guiding children back into schools and bridging educational gaps.

Since 2005, HPPI has been working to mainstream reaching out-of-school children through its Kadam Program. This initiative aligns with India's Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act and has been instrumental in bridging educational gaps in several states. Kadam’s methodology focuses on providing foundational learning skills to reintegrate children into formal schools at age-appropriate levels. Since its inception, the program has enrolled 211,719 children, with 173,006 successfully mainstreamed into government schools.

Empowering Communities Through Education

Kadam employs a holistic approach, involving community participation to identify out-of-school children and re-enroll them in local schools. Teachers trained in Kadam methodologies play a pivotal role in engaging children, conducting door-to-door surveys, and organizing Special Training Centers. By involving parents and local leaders, the program builds a sustainable support network that strengthens the educational system.

This World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5, we encourage you to join us thanking educators for their vital role in helping children reach their full potential.