Sugata Mitra

Pioneered self-organized learning through the Hole-in-the-Wall project, revolutionizing education accessibility

Sugata Mitra, a British-Tamil educationalist, made groundbreaking contributions to the field of education through his Hole-in-the-Wall experiments. In 1999, he installed a computer in a New Delhi slum and observed children teaching themselves complex skills without formal instruction. This led to his theory of minimally invasive education, challenging traditional pedagogical models. His work demonstrated that children in resource-poor environments could achieve advanced digital literacy through collaborative play. Mitra's research influenced UNESCO's Education for All initiatives and inspired global programs like India's AICTE computer literacy drives. His 2013 TED Prize enabled the School in the Cloud project, creating self-organized learning environments in remote areas. By emphasizing peer-mediated learning, Mitra's work has impacted over 200 million children globally through low-cost computer kiosks. His 2016 book The Thrilling Journey Through Education remains a seminal text in educational anthropology.