Who we are

Anandshala is Deshkal Society’s flagship educational initiative aimed at fostering inclusive, equitable, and joyful learning environments for children from underprivileged and migrant communities. Rooted in the principles of participatory education and contextual learning, Anandshala addresses the systemic gaps that hinder access to quality education for children at the margins of urban and semi-urban India. It is a practice-led response to the structural inequalities in the Indian school system.

Why

The parents of these children constitute a sizeable population of poor-income group and migrants who reside in urban villages. They are daily-wage labourers working in factories or doing low paid jobs in the service sector or they serve as domestic help in middle and upper-middle-class households. In a true sense, they constitute the bottom of the pyramid of the city.

Where

Launched in the urban village of Gejha, Noida, Anandshala responds to the lived realities of children whose parents are daily-wage labourers, factory workers, domestic help, and service sector employees—those who often reside in Shramik Kunjs and informal settlements.

Our Vision

To enable every child — regardless of their socio-economic background — to experience education as a space of dignity, creativity, and life preparation.

Our Approach

Anandshala is built on a six-stage model of education that combines:
• Contextual curriculum relevant to children’s socio-cultural environments
• Joyful, participatory pedagogy that places children at the center of learning
• Digital learning tools to bridge access and exposure gaps
• Art, craft, and sports to nurture expression and emotional well-being
• Life skills education rooted in real-world challenges
• Continuous learning assessment through interactive and inclusive methods