Akanksha runs one of the largest urban networks of Public Private Partnership schools in India. Over the last 28 years, Akanksha has educated children from low-income communities across Mumbai and Pune. Today, Akanksha runs 21 schools in partnership with the local governments in Pune, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. In the short term, Akanksha aims to redefine what is possible for children from low-income communities to achieve through its network of high-performing public-private partnership schools. In the long term, they plan to share their model & practices through partnerships with the government and other organisations. MFE has been a supporter of Akanksha since the year 2015. The association between the two organizations started with the Nalanda Project. Through the Nalanda Project, 11 Akanksha schools received computer tablets as an in-kind donation to build Math capabilities & skills in students from grade 3 to grade 8. MFE has been providing monetary support towards Akanksha’s strategic vision, planning and central support to expand our School network in the city of Mumbai and Pune. Through their support, Akanksha has been able to build government partnerships and adopt 21 schools across the two cities. MFE has also supported other initiatives like the Alumni Support and Engagement Program and the Youth Development program at Akanksha.
MFE Supported Programs:
The Nalanda Project
The association between the two organizations started with the Nalanda Project. Through the Nalanda Project, 11 Akanksha schools received computer tablets as an in-kind donation to build Math abilities & skills in students from grade 3 to grade 8.
The Alumni Program
Akanksha’s aim is to guide and support our students through their journey while in school and after school through The Alumni Support and Engagement Program. Through our alumni support program they hope to pave a path for our students to embark onto their journey through college and help them to make informed life choices and lead empowered lives. Currently the program covers 3100 alumni and by year 2021 we will have over 4000 alumni benefiting from this program.
Blended Education
Akanksha has recently adopted a blended learning approach shifting from a purely face to face pedagogical model. This approach integrates low cost technology solutions relevant for children from low income communities along with offline pedagogical practices. The teachers act as collaborative coaches and mentors to ensure students take an active role in their own learning. Through the use of personalized tablets, Akanksha school students now have access to educational material anywhere and at any time, enabling self-study, access to educational resources and teacher support beyond the classroom.