(May 9, 2025) “Just a year ago, I was a 16-year-old thinking what to do and now I have taught in more than 25 schools in South Africa. It’s a huge achievement for me”, says D Sai Karthik, the founder of TeamTeach, a collective of high-school students that inspires underprivileged students to think out of the box.
Karthik was on the cusp of entering the world of college, eager to explore the world of entrepreneurship. But his choice was met with discouraging reactions and he was nudged to play safe and opt for – medical, engineering and law – the go-to streams. “My choice was frowned upon, and I realised if someone like me who has access to good education and resources is feeling the heat, what would be the situation of the underprivileged kids?” Karthik tells Global Indian. This inspired him to start TeamTeach, a nonprofit that aims to provide financial literacy and essential life education to underprivileged children — an area of learning often ignored in conventional schooling. Till now, TeamTeach has impacted over 5000 students in India and South Africa.
TeamTeach – Empowering students beyond textbooks
It was in January 2024 that Karthik found TeamTeach to help underprivileged students in Bengaluru discover their true potential. “While researching, I found that children from underserved communities often feel restricted to following in their parents’ footsteps. They don’t think they have a way out. I realised how unfair that is – there are so many opportunities available, but you need to know them to avail them,” says Karthik, who began visiting couple of government schools in his city to understand the ground reality.
Surprised to find that many schools lacked basic resources like books, he decided to help students broaden their horizons. “Talking to students made me realise that many had no idea about subjects beyond the curriculum – things like entrepreneurship or aeronautics. Most were inclined to pick up same vocations as their parents.”
Recognising their limited knowledge and exposure, Karthik launched TeamTeach to help these students gain a broader perspective on the world. “Our mission is to show students that education isn’t limited to the two ends of their textbooks and to empower them to develop a deep curiosity about the world around them. We wanted them to think out of the box.”
Turning complex subjects into real-world learning
Staying true to their vision, they started offering lessons in subjects like finance, computer science, robotics, aeronautics, and music. “We began with the motto of making a difference in students’ lives, and I saw that impact right from the very first class I taught. It was their introduction to business and finance, and they were very inspired. These students have the drive to learn – what they lack are the resources and tools to do so,” says Karthik, whose team has till now reached over 15 schools in India.
They initially began working with government schools but soon realised that even many private schools lacked the right resources and tools. “Even when some schools had the infrastructure and resources, they often lacked the motivation. That’s when our mission started to evolve.” With each session, TeamTeach focused on simplifying complex concepts into easy lessons. “More than just the subject we taught, it was how we taught that made a real impact,” he adds.
“I use storytelling to break down complex ideas, making them easier to understand and encouraging students to think critically. In my finance class, I teach them how money works — how to invest, save, and grow wealth, the types of businesses in India, and even the basics of stock trading,” says Karthik, who started investing in the stock market at just 12 years old. “Financial literacy is essential today. Most people know how to earn money, but not how to manage it.”
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Going global with a growing footprint in South Africa
A few months into expanding TeamTeach across India, Karthik grew curious — did students in other countries face the same challenges, and if so, to what extent? Determined to find out, he shortlisted a few countries and began reaching out to schools abroad. “We got response from schools in South Africa who were impressed by TeamTeach’s work and were eager to replicate the model in their school.” But the opportunity wasn’t without challenges. “The town had no electricity or wifi for most of the day. So instead of live classes, we sent recorded sessions that students could access anytime,” reveals Karthik, who expanded TeamTeach to more schools in South Africa.
The program soon caught the attention of the Department of Education in South Africa, resulting in MOUs with 25 schools. “I want to expand operations in South Africa by identifying and mentoring students my age who could take the lead locally. My goal is to get more students involved and create a ripple effect.”
Scaling with purpose
However, the journey wasn’t easy for Karthik, especially since he was 16 when he started – a factor that often led people to dismiss him. “To teach in schools, I needed permission from the Block Education Officer. I remember sitting outside her office for hours, day after day, before finally getting a meeting. Even then, the approval didn’t come easily. “She agreed to give us a chance, but with conditions. Government officials were sent to observe our first class and submit a detailed report.” Karthik, however, rose to the challenge. His efforts paid off, and before long, he was teaching in several schools across Bengaluru.
Karthik believes that true success comes from having the passion to pursue your idea until it becomes reality. “Things are more scalable than you imagine. Take that leap of faith – don’t wait for someone else to give you a push,” he advises.
In just over a year, Karthik has connected with schools across India and South Africa, with ambitions to take TeamTeach global. “In the coming years, we aim to reach as many countries as possible. What we’ve started in South Africa, we hope to replicate in other parts of the world too,” he signs off.
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