Gift a Smile/Care for Children - The Art of Living Free Schools

The pandemic has aggravated problems of limited access to quality education for children who come from economically weaker backgrounds, specially those who are first generation learners. The Art of Living is supporting children with their educational needs as diligently during these trying time. Your contribution of ₹4,000 can support a child with educational resources and stationary for a year.

Access to Education

Inequities exist as 20 million children between the ages of 3-6 are not attending pre-school. 6 million children are out of school with a 29% drop out rate.

Quality of Education

Assessments show poor learning levels among children due to a dearth of infrastructure, poor teaching methodologies and capability, low teacher-student ratios and low teacher attendance.

Proficiency of students

Most children in school are not learning at grade-appropriate levels. The number of children going on to study further is low.

The Art of Living is running free schools across the country to cate to the needs of children.

• Our children are mostly from a background of abject poverty, and most are first generation learners
• Many of our schools are in areas where there are no government schools
• We address the social, economic and cultural barriers that keep children away from school
• Our students get free school uniforms, a warm lunch daily, bus transfer from home to school and medical and dental care

Value-based education

• We undertake capacity building workshops for teachers to implement our pedagogical approach with digital trainings for transformation
• We focus on combining formal education with life skills that include building the child’s confidence, leadership, and interpersonal skills and developing spiritual tools, through meditation techniques and a foundation of human values
• Our schools nurture a child holistically
• Family values are strengthened, and progressive attitudes strengthen social and cultural barriers

Relief providing during COVID distress

• Schools are conducting online classes wherever possible
• Tabs have been distributed in needy schools
• Where online classes have not been possible, the teachers have continuously kept in touch with the students over phone calls, guiding them and encouraging them to learn through various activities during the lockdown. The homework of the activities and assignments is shared by the students in the form of pictures and videos on the class group.
• 1500 teachers have received online teacher training during this period
• Food packets have been distributed to community members where are schools are located

The Art of Living is currently running 702 free schools across 20 states catering to almost 70,000 underprivileged children.