The Pehlay Akshar journey started 12 years ago, in 2008.

Government schools, the only option available to children from low-income families, were witnessing increasingly high dropout rates. The main reason for this was the desire for education in English. Correspondingly, private schools for low-income groups, claiming to offer English medium education, started mushrooming. Many of these only aimed to make a quick buck, targeting first generation learners. Government schools also responded to the exodus by offering mid-day meals to lure the children back. The idea worked to some extent, but the key issue was not addressed: the need to learn English.