Kiran Bir Sethi

Indian educator pioneering child-led learning through Riverside School

About Kiran Bir Sethi

Kiran Bir Sethi is an Indian educator and founder of Riverside School, a groundbreaking institution that empowers children to become active changemakers. Born in 1973, she studied design and architecture before realizing education's potential to transform societal structures. Her TED Talk 'Design for Change' (2010) has been viewed over 5 million times.

Educational Innovation

Riverside School's curriculum centers on the Four Es Framework: Empathy, Explore, Experiment, and Effect. Students as young as five initiate community projects like building schools for underprivileged peers or cleaning local rivers. This approach has been adopted by 45 countries through the Design for Change movement.

Social Impact

In 2014, Sethi launched the Rural School Project, converting 500 government schools into hubs of creativity. Over 200,000 children annually participate in I CAN campaigns addressing issues like sanitation and gender equality. Her schools have a 100% pass rate in national exams while maintaining a focus on holistic development.

Global Recognition

Sethi was named a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2013 and received India's Padma Shri award in 2017. The documentary Do Something (2016) showcases her students' projects, inspiring educators worldwide. Her work influenced the UN's Global Education 2030 Framework.

Legacy

Over 1.2 million children have participated in Sethi's programs, creating 50,000+ community projects. By proving that children can drive social change, she has redefined education's purpose in 21st-century society. Her methods are now integrated into curricula from Kenya to Indonesia.