consecutive years
First place in local English Antakshari competitions, conducted from 1999 for pupils in Standards 5–7.
Our flagship project · Since 1994Prabuddha
Prabuddha
Vidya Bhavan
The free primary school
A child's education should never depend on what their family can afford.
Prabuddha Vidya Bhavan has provided completely free education since 1994 in Mangalwar Peth, Phaltan. The school serves children whose families cannot afford the cost of education, with teaching across Standards 1 to 7.
Its approach places particular emphasis on English, mathematics and group learning, alongside children’s social and physical development. The school grew from community-led tuition, early learning and study support.
- Completely free primary education
- Serving children from families in need
- Learning rooted in dignity and individual potential
Teaching that starts with the child.
The school’s original account explains the choices behind its approach. Select a theme to explore them.
Building confidence in English and mathematics.
Experience with secondary-school tuition revealed difficulties in English and mathematics. The school responded by giving both subjects particular attention from Standard 1, helping children build foundations early.
Understanding the learner before judging the result.
The early work included visiting local schools, discussing pupils’ progress with teachers and going to children’s homes when they were absent. The account emphasises adapting education to a child’s understanding.
Opportunities to take part and demonstrate ability.
Group learning and English competitions gave pupils opportunities to participate and demonstrate what they had learned. The school history records how their progress challenged earlier assumptions about their ability.
From being overlooked to being recognised.
Achievements recorded in the original school history; these are historical results, not current-year statistics.
consecutive years
First rank in tehsil-level English competitions from 2004, as recorded in the school’s account.
“No student is useless.”
A school connected to its community.
This work began with people contributing what they could. The original history records small gifts from local vendors and monthly contributions from workers that supported classes, early learning and a hostel. Education became a shared responsibility.
The school carries that purpose into the wider work for social, economic and educational upliftment: giving children access to learning and families a place in a sustained community effort.
School life in photographs.
Explore classroom activities, school gatherings and moments from the school’s archive.
The next chapter · Proposed project
Help build a permanent home for learning.
Our earlier school development plan sets out a dedicated building for Prabuddha Vidya Bhavan: a place for education and wider community use.
We invite supporters and partners to discuss how they can contribute to this vision. Please contact us to confirm the current project scope, budget, approvals and delivery timetable.
Better spaces to learn
Dedicated classrooms, a library, computer facilities and digital learning space.
A resource for the community
Spaces proposed for study, women’s development, training, sport and community activities.
Thoughtful infrastructure
Sanitation facilities, with solar power and rainwater harvesting included in the original vision.
Help the work continue.
Support free education, contribute relevant skills or discuss the proposed school building. Speak with the organisation about current priorities and how your support can help.