Article by Taiyo Ito

Photo by Muhammad Zaid on Unsplash

Educational inequality is a global issue, with millions of children lacking access to quality learning simply because of where they were born or the family they come from. While this challenge often feels too complicated to tackle without sweeping government reforms or massive funding, there are small organizations quietly working to approach these gaps on a community level. One such organization is Smiles Production [1], an organization that focuses on supporting underprivileged children in India through scholarships and educational resources.

But does the work of small organizations truly make a difference in the face of such vast inequality? Some would argue that meaningful change requires large-scale policies or national programs. And while that’s certainly true to an extent, Smiles Production and other small organizations show that change is possible. So, can we actually reduce educational inequalities by working one community at a time?

When discussing inequality, it’s not just about who has more or less; but about how those differences ripple out. According to Wilkinson and Pickett (2010), countries with high inequality face more than just economic divides—they experience social and health problems that affect every part of society [2]. Educational inequality is one of these issues, and it’s a problem that impacts everything from a child’s future earnings to their overall health and well-being. Wilkinson and Pickett’s research shows that in societies with a wide gap between rich and poor, social mobility slows down, and educational gaps widen, making it hard for those at the bottom to move up.

This challenge isn’t going away anytime soon, and it’s clear that big government policies are needed to address these issues. But does that mean small organizations don’t have a space to strive? In fact, small, community-focused groups like Smiles Production might just be some of the best-equipped to make a difference, working directly with the children. While small organizations may not have the reach as large as government programs, they can be effective on the local level, working directly with the communities. Take Smiles Production, for example. By focusing on underprivileged children in India, Smiles Production has been creating meaningful change, providing scholarships, school supplies, and spaces that can change a child’s educational journey. Small organizations often have the flexibility to adjust their efforts to specific needs in a community, making their initiatives more personal and impactful.

Wilkinson and Pickett (2010) argue that inequality including educational inequality affects all aspects of life. Addressing educational gaps requires efforts that go beyond the classroom. Small organizations are not just funding for education but are often involved in the community, understanding the unique challenges faced by the locals. However, it is also true that small organizations have some challenges. Unlike larger programs, small organizations often operate on limited resources, relying on donations and volunteers. It is the case of Smiles Production too as every scholarship and educational resource provided comes from hours of fundraising and supporters. As discussed by Wilkinson and Pickett, inequality is a structural issue, rooted in society-wide dynamics. Hence, efforts by small organizations can only go so far if the broader system remains unequal. Although organizations like Smiles Production make a difference on a small scale, tackling educational inequality requires systematic change, which is challenging with small organizations’ limited resources.

So, can small organizations really make a difference in tackling educational inequality? The answer is yes. However, the truth is without structural reform and government intervention, their impact is limited. This doesn’t mean their work isn’t valuable: It means we need both small-scale efforts and large-scale change working together. Their work is a reminder that big changes start small and that every child who gains access to education is a step toward a more equal society. Maybe that’s enough reason to continue for now.

Footnotes:

[1] https://smiles-production.jimdosite.com/

[2] Wilkinson, R. G. & Pickett, K. (2010). The spirit level: why equality is better for everyone. London: Penguin.

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