ERA FOUNDATION a not-for-profit firm, started by doyens of the education segment, has constantly been at the forefront of providing holistic improvement in the education sector in India. After successful efforts at improving the quality of higher education, ERA has ventured into secondary education by the launch of its proprietary career counselling platform called Marg- Exploring Careers, Unlocking potential.

The Marg platform provides a simple, yet unique test that can be taken by a student online or offline. The test is unique because it not only considers psychometric and aptitude tests but also incorporates subject tests (Science, Math, Social Science and English). This gives a comprehensive outlook of students’ potential. A student takes the test and is given a 20-page report that recommends career options and vocations. Marg is also unique in that it is available in 6 Indian languages apart from English ie Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Hindi.

The event saw the announcement of a tie-up between Karnataka Government and ERA Foundation for conducting the Marg test for 1000 Govt schools and benefitting 50,000 students in all the districts of Karnataka
Speaking on the occasion of the launch P.Muralidhar , CEO ERA Foundation said “A brief insight into the education landscape of Karnataka would put things in perspective. Of the 300,000 students in Karnataka –Govt schools, more than 60 % study in the vernacular medium.” “It is our objective to reach this hitherto untouched, large segment of rural children through Marg in Kannada. Affordability is another key and we intend to keep the pricing low. For the first 50,000 students, we would conduct the counselling pro-bono” he added.

The Guest of Honour Shri SR Umashankar IAS, Principal Secretary Primary and Secondary Education, Government of Karnataka and the Chief Guest Dr MR Jayaram, Chairman ComedK unveiled the Marg platform.
Announcing the tie-up between Karnataka Government and ERA Foundation Shri Umashankar appreciated the initiative and said “Karnataka Government has always been at the forefront of education initiatives. Our initiative with the Marg platform will benefit 50,000 students across all districts. We hope to expand this in the coming years to cover the entire student population. I wish Marg and ERA all the best for the initiative”

Dr Jayaram, Chairman Comedk which has extended support to Marg was extremely pleased with the tie-up and thanked the Government. “The Marg counselling effort will not only benefit the students immensely but will also improve the quality of higher education by ensuring that students take up courses that they have the propensity for. In the long run, the output of students from professional courses is related to the incoming students. A correct fit of capabilities to courses would ensure student-success in the long run”

The launch was attended by teachers and Principals of key schools as well as some of the prominent Career counsellors. They appreciated the Marg platform and believed that Marg filled a very important void in the vernacular-medium counselling in India.