Shiksharth

Shiksharth (shiksharth.in) works to create contextually relevant Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) for children growing up in conflict-affected and adverse geographies. Our approach integrates strengthening classroom instruction, fostering community participation, and building system support—ensuring that schools become spaces where children feel safe, loved, and able to grow. Based in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, we have been working in government schools across the Bastar region and Odisha, from primary to middle grades. Over the past nine years, we have reached children in 500+ schools, including the reopening of 300 schools destroyed by conflict, supported the return of out-of-school children, and seen up to 90% growth in learning outcomes through contextual pedagogy solutions. During the COVID-19 school closures, our offline learning resources reached 3.5 lakh+ children across 14 states through partnerships with 30+ organizations. Today, with a team of 45+ people, including 40 local community youth, Shiksharth is active in 400+ schools and community centres, directly serving children in elementary classrooms. Our interventions span school support, multilingual education, STEM, and ecology education, all designed to ensure that children in crisis not only continue to learn but also experience safety, dignity, belonging, and joy.