Archana Jaisal (Instagram)
Archana Jaisal grew up witnessing how education could transform destiny. When she saw kids in rural Uttar Pradesh struggling with basic lessons despite going to school, she was reminded of her own journey.
She very well knew how education could change lives so, through Shiksha Saathi, she is bringing affordable learning opportunities to rural children while helping local women become financially independent.Meet Archana Jaisal
Her father, Jagdish Ram, had experienced the same struggle. As a teenager, he used to pull a rickshaw to support his family while also managing studies. Eventually, education helped him secure a railway job and provide for his children.Years later, Archana decided to carry that legacy forward through Shiksha Saathi, a rural education initiative offering affordable after-school coaching and training local women as teachers.According to The Better India report, the organisation operates more than 78 learning centres across six districts of Uttar Pradesh, reaching over 7,650 students with 67 teachers. Its monthly coaching fees start at Rs 100 for younger children, while those unable to afford the fees are also accommodated.
From pulling a rickshaw to getting a railway jobFor Archana, her father is her hero, her inspiration. After losing his father at a young age, Jagdish began pulling a rickshaw at 17 to support his family. Despite the financial pressure, he continued studying and eventually graduated. His circumstances began to change when a fellow rickshaw puller suggested that he apply for a railway job after noticing him studying regularly.Jagdish applied and got the job. He moved to Varanasi. While waiting for his career to settle, he took up additional work, painting banners, making portraits and writing names and numbers on T-shirts.However, the family faced another setback when he died while Archana was still young. With their mother unable to take up his railway job, the siblings struggled financially. Archana’s elder sister began earning to support the household and pay for tuition.Archana eventually completed her graduation and post-graduation in Economics from Banaras Hindu University.Beginning of her initiative
Archana saw that some children in her extended family struggled with basic questions, even in Class 7. She realised that many needed additional academic support but could not afford expensive private coaching. At the same time, educated girls and women in villages had limited employment opportunities.In 2022, Archana launched Your Coaching, which was formally registered as Shiksha Saathi in 2023. The initiative brings after-school learning closer to children, offering coaching for students from Classes 1 to 12.Monthly fees range from Rs 100 for younger students to Rs 600 for those in Class 12, according to The Better India. Children from financially disadvantaged families can attend without paying.Its training programme prepares rural girls and women to teach children according to their learning levels.
More than 740 women have reportedly completed the programme, creating opportunities for them to earn while supporting education in their own communities.How teaching is changing women’s livesNeetu, who became a Shiksha Saathi teacher at 19, is one example of this approach. Initially nervous about teaching, she received training and classroom support that helped her gain confidence.She now earns around Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 a month, as per reports.
“I started paying for my own studies and coaching, so I no longer needed to take money from home,” she said.From fearing Maths to dreaming of becoming a teacherRiya, a 10-year-old who has attended the institute for three years, once feared Maths. With teachers explaining concepts and answering her questions, the subject became her favourite.“When I used to study Maths before, I used to feel scared. Now, things have changed,” she said.
She now hopes to become a teacher herself.Today, the institute operates across Bhadohi, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Mau and Ghazipur. Its activities also include youth competitions that encourage children to think about their ambitions and future careers.For Archana, every child who begins to believe in their abilities represents a continuation of the opportunity her father fought so hard to secure for his own family.