Our Initiatives
Model Anganwadi Projects
The Model Anganwadi concept is designed to ensure a holistic development of the child. It is aligned with the vision of National Education Policy 2020 and seeks to develop the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Anganwadi system by providing quality education to children. The holistic development model covers five major domains namely, Physical and Motor Development, Social and Emotional Development, Cognitive Development, Language Development and Creative Art and Aesthetic development. The goal is all-round development of children aged 3 to 6 years.
Besides educational tools, our Anganwadi concept includes a hygienic infrastructure with the following features :
- High quality infrastructure which offers a safe and inclusive space for children to learn – it includes the availability of safe drinking water and clean sanitation facility.
- Free access to scientifically-designed Teaching-Learning Material.
- Availability of skilled early childhood educators.
Kilbil Model Anganwadi Project: Impacted 551 Anganwadis and 13568 students
This Public-Private Partnership initiative, called the Kilbil Project, was aimed at transforming the education system at existing Angandwadi Centres (AWCs). Started in 2013, the initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development of the Government of Maharashtra (GoM), Jindal Steel Works (JSW), successfully carried our ‘Model Anganwadi’ concept to rural communities across Vasind and Shahpur.
Ongoing Model Anganwadi Projects :
We had collaborated with the JSW Foundation for the implementation of ‘Model Anganwadis’ in certain blocks of Nagpur, Vasind, Palghar and Patiala. The project is still underway and aims to transform government-operated ICDS Anganwadis, with particular emphasis on increasing parental awareness, training teachers, and fostering a child-centric classroom environment.
Kalmeshwar: Impacted 112 Anganwadis and 2500 children in 5 blocks
Vasind: Impacted 60 Anganwadis and 1500 children in 3 blocks
Palghar: Impacted 30 Anganwadis and 1236 children in 2 blocks
Patiala: Impacted 12 Anganwadis and 300 children in 2 blocks
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) Programmes
We launched the FLN programmes across several Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Schools to improve reading and arithmetic competency in children. The goal is to build a strong foundation for future academic growth of the students. The programme includes the development of reading, writing and basic mathematics skills. The five major pillars of the FLN programme are:
- Early Childhood Care and Education
- Foundational Literacy
- Foundational Numeracy
- Continuous progress monitoring
- Remediation
The aim is to develop these foundational skills among children from 3 to 9 years of age and providing the basic care and education in the early childhood years, laying the base for building strong educational growth in the future.
Carvaan
Our Carvaan Initiative is an annual camp, open to children from the underprivileged society in Mumbai. Carvaan aims at making children independent, self-confident and socially cordial, the essentials for remaining creative and productive individuals. Having conducted the camp for more than 15 years, these camps have seen participation from more than 25000 children. The activities at these camps take children on a journey through the world of wonder, awe, and curiosity and expand their knowledge through experience. The activities touch different areas, including astronomy, nature, math, science, creative art, social awareness, performing arts and sports. We conduct winter camps, summer camps, rural and tribal camps and astronomy camps – each one with its unique set of activities.
Shodhak Community Library
We launched this initiative with the intent to provide free library access to children from the densely-populated slum settlement near IIT Bombay. The objective of this ongoing initiative is to provide quality reading and learning opportunities, easy and regular access to books, exposure to various book-centric hands-on activities and healthy and active participation of community members for all-inclusive learning. Through the free library we aim to promote early literacy, develop a reading culture and ensure proper use of community spaces for child development. The library involves community volunteers as we conduct book fairs, community book reading activities and several other reading-centred activities. The library is managed by a trained library facilitator and kept open for children to ensure regular access to educational books.
The Free community library helps break the chains of poverty's limitations, liberating the imagination, expanding thinking horizons, and providing the much-needed guidance for children and or adults to envision a world beyond their current circumstances.
Capacity Building Workshops
In partnership with private schools and educational institutions, Navnirmiti conducts Capacity Building Workshops grounded in a "Learning by Understanding" framework. These hands-on, inquiry-driven sessions align with diverse curriculum requirements, incorporating best teaching practices and methodologies. Using the ELPS (Experience-Language-Pictures-Symbol) pedagogy and CPA (Concept-Practice-Application) model, teachers gain deeper conceptual clarity and practical tools for teaching.
Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs): Interactive and Child-Centric
Navnirmiti’s Teaching Learning Materials are designed to simplify complex Math, Science, and ECE concepts in a playful, hands-on manner. Child-friendly, multidisciplinary, and easy to use, these kits encourage exploration and discovery, making learning engaging for both teachers and students. The TLMs are multidisciplinary and have no limits of usage for an imaginative, creative and inquisitive mind. These are aligned to the curricular requirements across the state and NCERT boards.
Impact of Our Workshops :
- Trained over 1000 teachers, boosting conceptual understanding and professional confidence.
- Developed resource teachers to sustain and expand the program in their schools and communities.
Shikshantar
In partnership with Tech Mahindra, Navnirmiti’s Shikshantaar Math Enrichment Project focuses on activity-based learning to improve mathematics education and reduce math anxiety among students. This initiative, implemented across 28 Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) schools in Thane, Kalva, and Mumbra from 2017 to 2020, addresses the gap in consistent math pedagogy through teacher training and hands-on learning tools.
Key Highlights :
- Teacher Training Workshops : Fifteen sessions were conducted in 2019/20, training teachers to implement active learning pedagogy, creating an engaging and joyful classroom environment.
- TLMs and Worksheets : Tailored Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs) and worksheets for grades 1-4 were provided. Teachers received monthly observation sessions to ensure the program was adapted to their needs.
- Math Fair : Held in February 2020, this event bridged the gap between abstract math and real-life applications. Students, teachers, parents, and government officials participated, with students presenting math models based on activity-based learning.
- Math Lab : A dedicated math lab was set up at TMC school no. 69 in Kalwa, providing a space for students to explore math through experiments, games, and hands-on activities.
Impact :
- Students : Improved grasp of math concepts, increased enthusiasm, and better group learning.
- Teachers : Enhanced understanding of math concepts, increased ease with activity-based teaching, and noticeable long-term retention of concepts by students.
- Teaching Methods : Teachers reported a greater willingness to collaborate and try new activity-based approaches, with students showing less fear of math.
Project Reach (2019/2020) :
- 28 Schools
- 106 Teachers
- 4,200 Students
- 200 Stakeholders
ARISE: All Round Improvement in School Education
The ARISE Program, a partnership between Navnirmiti and Tech Mahindra, aimed to foster holistic development of the students at BMC Durgadevi Sharma School near Chandivali, Mumbai. This initiative focused on enriching math, science, and language education for students of Class 1 to 8, most of whom come from economically-disadvantaged community and are first-generation learners.
Key Highlights :
- Teacher Involvement : ARISE actively engages teachers through training and hands-on use of Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs), ensuring program sustainability. Teachers now use these methods in non-targeted classes as well.
- Library Setup : A student library was established in 2018-19, with a language and library session introduced the following year to meet students’ needs.
- Educational Fair : This annual 2-day event allowed students to present math, science, and language projects developed under Navnirmiti Eduquality facilitators’ guidance, alongside a cultural showcase of student talents.
- Community Visits : Navnirmiti Eduquality teams visited the slums where students reside, engaging with parents and community members to get a better understanding of students’ background. The visits also helped gain active community volunteer support.
Impact :
Despite the pandemic in 2020, verbal feedback revealed key successes :
- Increased inquisitiveness and engagement of students in science activities.
- Increased inquisitiveness and engagement of students in science activities.
Reach of ARISE :
- 1 School
- 28 Teachers
- Class 1 to 8
STEM: Engineering Futures
Navnirmiti, in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), launched the Engineering Futures project in June 2019, targeting 20 schools across Jaipur (Rajasthan), Puducherry, and Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu). This initiative aimed to foster a deeper understanding and reduce fear of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects among students, empowering them to become future critical thinkers.
Key Highlights :
- Teacher Workshops & Demonstrations : Teachers received specialized training to effectively use Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs) to teach elementary math and science concepts, such as light, magnetism, and microscopy. Classroom demonstrations bridged the gap between theory and practice.
- Activity Kits & Student Sessions : Customized STEM activity kits, along with worksheets and logbooks, were distributed. Hands-on student enrichment sessions allowed students from grades 6 to 8 to experiment with concepts, bringing textbook lessons to life.
- Capacity Building : Facilitators and field teams were trained by expert resource persons to ensure the project's smooth implementation and sustainability.
- Community Involvement : Monthly Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with teachers, principals, and School Management Committee members to gather feedback and improve the project. Students also showcased their projects at a launch event, presenting their learnings from the initiative.
Impact :
The STEM project reached 1,750 students, 82 teachers, and 42 School Management Committee members. Despite challenges from the global pandemic, the initiative promoted scientific thinking and supported government efforts like Rajasthan's Bal Sabha, where students engaged in science experiments during the Magic of Science sessions.
Reach of STEM Project :
- Locations : Jaipur (Rajasthan), Puducherry, Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu)
- Schools : 20
- Students : 1,750
- Teachers : 82
- Stakeholders : 42 SMC Members, 25 Government Officials
Solar Eclipse Observation 2019
In collaboration with our partners, Navnirmiti organized a Solar Eclipse Observation initiative during the rare celestial event on 26th December 2019. Since 1995, we have promoted safe solar eclipse viewing using low-cost solar filters, aiming to foster scientific thinking and debunk superstitions surrounding eclipses.
Suryotsav 2019: Promoting Awareness and Safe Practices
To prepare communities for the solar eclipse, Navnirmiti launched Suryotsav in early December 2019. This event educated students, teachers, and local communities about safe viewing practices and aimed to dispel myths about eclipses. The initiative reached 100,000 people through solar filter distribution, ensuring safe viewing across our project schools.
Key Impact :
- 100,000 Solar Filters distributed across schools and communities
- 800 students actively participated in eclipse observation.
- 70 teachers and community volunteers trained in solar eclipse education workshops.
