Day School Programme

We emphasize a hands-on, learning-by-doing approach and focus on poor, isolated communities in order to tackle social norms regarding gender and access to education. A deep appreciation for the Rural Hero lies at the heart of our curricula, as does admiration for traditional livelihoods such as weavers, bone setters and midwives. With this combination of traditional wisdom and practical skills, we empower children to become active participants and leaders in their communities. Since its inception in 1988 as an experimental primary school on our campus in Tilonia, Rajasthan, our day school programme has grown to include nearly 500 children (including 203 girls) in partnership with Shiksha Niketan school. Although teachers follow the same curriculum as governmental primary schools, the Barefoot Approach increases the efficacy of lessons. The first group of children who completed class 8 scored an impressive average of 82 percent on their examinations. The current team consists of 15 Barefoot teachers, including four women, and the school’s electricity is powered by a 2.5 kilowatt solar power plant.