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Last Updated: April 16, 2025, 05:00 IST
Soha Ali Khan emphasizes the need to bridge educational gaps and encourage children from marginalized communities to prioritize education over work.
Soha Ali Khan has maintained a long-standing relationship with P&G Shiksha, marking 15 years of collaboration dedicated to promoting education.
Recently, the actress celebrated the program’s 20-year milestone in its mission to enhance access to quality education for children from diverse backgrounds. During the event, she highlighted the critical need to close learning gaps and introduced a collection of impactful stories demonstrating the program’s influence over the years. In a candid discussion with News18 Showsha, Soha reflected on the evolving definition of meaningful education in today’s context.
“My daughter loves art. She often shares how it helps her unwind, not realizing that she is actually developing vital skills like fine motor abilities and color theory,” Soha explained. “There’s a growing recognition that education should go beyond rote learning. It’s about unlocking potential within individuals, discovering innate skills, artistic talents, and unique abilities. Education should empower, not limit,” she shared.
As a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Soha emphasized the role of both schools and families in nurturing children’s strengths. “If a child finds a subject challenging, that’s okay; they can explore their interests elsewhere without feeling inadequate. More educational institutions are realizing the importance of child-centered, play-based learning, particularly in early childhood education, encouraging engagement and excitement in their learning process,” she stated.
According to Soha, addressing educational inequalities remains paramount. “Fifteen to twenty years ago, literacy was a significant issue, with many children unable to access schools, often traveling great distances to learn. Thankfully, today’s challenges are different, yet a substantial number, including myself, are unaware of existing learning gaps. P&G Shiksha is actively working to bring awareness to this crucial issue,” she noted.
Soha further discussed the harsh reality for many children from less privileged backgrounds who feel compelled to enter the workforce instead of pursuing their education. “Even someone as passionate about education as I am finds the concept of a learning gap quite new. For example, a fifth grader struggling to read at a second-grade level is a clear sign of such a gap. There could be emotional factors or external pressures that hinder their educational journey,” she commented.
She elaborated, “Many children from underserved communities often believe they must contribute to their families financially, which affects their schooling. Various obstacles can lead to disengagement and hinder their ability to focus, resulting in difficulties in subjects like mathematics. A learning gap could explain why they struggle to grasp concepts that should be within their reach at their grade level.”
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www.news18.com