Atishi Marlena Singh: Edifying The Capital

She is just 39, but her accomplishments and achievements far outweigh her years. Atishi Marlena Singh, who represents the Aam Admi Party (AAP) from the Kalkaji assembly seat in South Delhi besides heading AAP’s Goa unit, is credited with playing a key role in bringing about much-talked about changes in Delhi’s school system, including improvement of infrastructure in schools under the Delhi government. She has been instrumental in the success of Mission Buniyaad, a Delhi government’s campaign that sought to equip Grade III - IX students with basic reading, writing and mathematical skills.

Atishi started her political career as a spokesperson of the AAP in 2013. Before that she was part of the pro-Lokpal agitation, which made her a well-known face.

In 2015, she worked as an advisor to Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia. Speaking  to a group of people, Atishi recalled the poor state of the government schools in India. “Mostly, government schools made news when either the children fell ill after consuming bad-quality mid-day meals or because of poor infrastructure, and deprived quality of education,” she said. 

The makeover of schools under Delhi government was undertaken on a war-footing after AAP came to power in 2015. Until 2015, Delhi government schools had 17,000 classrooms. “The AAP government has built nearly 20,000 additional new classrooms in barely five years. This changed the dynamics of the education system in Delhi,” says Singh, whose yeoman contribution in improving the government education system in Delhi contributed to the massive electoral victory of AAP for the third time.

Singh also spearheaded the Delhi government’s flagship Mohalla Sabha Project even while working for the betterment of schools in the national capital. Recalling her work for schools in Delhi, she says, “I even know the number of phenol bottles each toilet needed for cleaning.” 

At the micro level, Singh was actively involved in organising parent-teacher meetings, fast-tracking the appointment of guest teachers, strengthening regulations on tuition fees charged by private school and reviving Delhi government schools.  

Singh has also been instrumental in shaping the ‘Happiness Curriculum’ and developing the ‘Teacher Development Coordinator Programme’ in Delhi schools. She has successfully addressed the UN Sustainability Development Goals by ensuring quality education that is also inclusive and equitable. 

The AAP government has built nearly 20,000 additional new classrooms in barely five years. This changed the dynamics of school education in Delhi”