WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ONE CHILD IS TRULY SEEN? 1 CRORE ANSWERS FROM P&G SHIKSHA’S MISSION TO #ERASETHELEARNINGGAP

Mumbai – P&G Shiksha announced the milestone of reaching and positively impacting 1 Crore children across Bharat in its mission to Erase the Learning Gap. This achievement marks over two decades of sustained commitment to strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy across the country. In classrooms across Bharat, quiet moments of hesitation often go unnoticed — a child pausing over a paragraph, unsure of a concept, reluctant to raise a hand. Multiply that moment by millions, and the scale of the challenge becomes clear. More than a measure of reach, this milestone reflects the individual learning journeys behind the number — ensuring that temporary academic gaps do not define a child’s long-term confidence or potential.

At a time when over 50% of Grade 5 children (according to ASER 2024) in Bharat are unable to read Grade 2 level text, addressing foundational learning gaps requires early identification, targeted remediation and consistent support. Over the past two decades, P&G Shiksha has evolved from enabling school infrastructure to delivering holistic interventions focused on prevention and remediation, aligned with the evolving needs of the education ecosystem.

The event also featured a high-impact panel discussion moderated by Adarsh Reddy, Manager - Growth and Partnerships, Educational Initiatives, including Pranitha Subhash, Bharatiya Actress, Sameera Reddy, Bharatiya Actress and Celebrity Influencer, Pranav Kothari, Chief Executive Officer - Educational Initiatives (Ei) and Rajat Brar Senior Director, Brand Operations – P&G India.

The panel unpacked how learning gaps often surface as hesitation, withdrawal, or labels that quietly affect confidence, reflecting the importance of early identification, parental awareness, and timely encouragement over judgement. A key highlight was an immersive showcase of the AI-backed Mindspark adaptive learning lab in partnership with Educational Initiatives and P&G Shiksha, where guests experienced firsthand how technology identifies a child’s exact learning level and builds a personalised pathway forward.

Speaking on the milestone, Rajat Brar, Senior Director, Brand Operations – P&G India, said, “*74% of parents perceive early learning struggles as just a phase, underestimating the long-term risks to a child’s future — a stark reminder that learning gaps often go unnoticed and unaddressed. That is what makes P&G Shiksha’s milestone of reaching 1 Crore children so significant. It is not just about scale — it represents 1 Crore moments where timely, structured support helped restore confidence

and strengthen foundational learning. Through early identification, adaptive remediation, and sustained on-ground partnerships, P&G Shiksha is committed to ensuring that a temporary learning gap does not define a child’s long-term future.”

Pranitha Subhash, Bharatiya Actress says, “When you realise that over half* of adults recall feeling left behind in particular subjects during their school years, it becomes deeply personal. I have experienced that self-doubt myself, and as a parent, I am more conscious of how easily early struggles can be dismissed. What I appreciate about P&G Shiksha is its focus on stepping in at the right time — because encouragement, structured support, and timely intervention can rebuild a child’s confidence before it begins to fade. It is heartening to see that they are already positively impacting the lives of over 1 crore children.”

Sameera Reddy, Bharatiya Actress and Celebrity Influencer further added, “Many of us carry memories of feeling left behind in certain subjects during our school years, and those early experiences often shape confidence far beyond the classroom — in fact, 50% students in grade 5 cannot read a grade 2 level text (as per ASER report 2024). That is why initiatives like P&G Shiksha matter. They encourage us to recognise learning gaps early, respond with understanding rather than judgement, and create an environment where children feel supported enough to rebuild belief in themselves. The testament to their work is the stories we heard today, of children like Ramesh feeling empowered and enabled to continue their learning journeys.”

Pranav Kothari, Chief Executive Officer - Educational Initiatives (Ei) highlights, "On the ground, we see how structured, early identification can transform learning journeys. Through our partnership with P&G Shiksha, we have been able to implement solutions at scale. Adaptive tools like Mindspark diagnose each child’s exact learning level and build personalised pathways for conceptual clarity and steady progress. When technology, teachers, and classroom integration come together, children move from hesitation to confidence. For example, in Telangana and Maharashtra, P&G Shiksha and EI are partnering with the Tribal Welfare Department, Telangana Eklavya Model Residential Schools Society, and other state - led institutions to strengthen learning outcomes for children from tribal and underserved communities.”