Three friends, Srinivasan N, Sriram Visvanathan, and Srinivas Padmanabharao, united by a shared belief in the power of education, adopted a struggling government school in Bengaluru. Over 15 years, their efforts have tripled the school’s enrollment, helping students dream beyond their circumstances.
Srinivasan first noticed the challenges children faced at Gubbalala Higher Primary School during his morning runs. Coming from a humble background in Mumbai, he was driven to make a change, sharing his concerns with his friends.
The trio’s belief in the transformative power of education led them to found the Tranquil Charitable Foundation (TCF).
Under the Karnataka Government’s ‘Shale Dattu Yojana’ scheme, TCF formally adopted the school. The goal was clear: to provide a better environment for the students, starting with a major overhaul of the school’s infrastructure.
The foundation revamped the classrooms, built a library, toilet, garden, and computer lab. "We made it a nicer place for the students," says Srinivasan. The school soon became a place the children looked forward to.
Hiring more teachers, appointing an academic director, and maintaining a 1:10 teacher-student ratio, TCF brought a focus on quality education. “Maths is a very difficult subject, leading to a mental block,” shares Pavan, one of the students. TCF helped him love it again.
Image courtesy tranquilcharity.org
In addition to academics, the foundation integrated extracurricular activities and environmental responsibility into the curriculum. Students were also tasked with keeping their classrooms clean, promoting a sense of responsibility and leadership.
Despite progress until Class 7, many students faced challenges transitioning to high school. TCF addressed this by offering after-school programmes, mentoring, and financial support for students moving to higher grades.
“Without TCF, I would have probably become a driver like my father after Class 10,” says Pavan, now pursuing a PhD. The foundation’s after-school classes, career counselling, and financial aid helped students achieve more.
Image courtesy tranquilcharity.org
Pavan’s story is one of many. “A house-help’s daughter shouldn’t follow her mother’s profession. She should do what she wants, and the only way to do it is through education,” says Srinivasan. Education has been the key to breaking cycles of poverty.
Image courtesy tranquilcharity.org
Over 1,000 students have graduated, with many donating their first paycheck to TCF in gratitude. The foundation hopes to inspire others to adopt nearby government schools and help more students reach their full potential.
Image courtesy tranquilcharity.org