The Circle India

📢 Applications are officially open for the *10th cohort* of The Circle's Starter Program Over the past 2 years, we've collaborated with 9 cohorts and 400+ passionate educators, including teachers, school founders, foundation leads, and more. What's the Reinventing Schools Starter Program? It's a dynamic five-week online cohort program , led by The Circle in partnership with five incredible organizations. Throughout these weeks, we'll guide you to reinvent the concept of school. 📝 Interested to join our upcoming cohort starting January 16th? Simply take 20 minutes to apply by Jan 8th, through the link in the comments. Let's create a better India together, starting today!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫? We asked our learners at Village Lab Foundation, Ladakh:) Here’s what they had to say! 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞? Comment and tag your teachers! The Circle India #indigenouseducation #ladakh #educationreimagined #vlfladakh #alternativeeducation #teacher

Exactly a year ago, Khaangchu was being built. I moved to Bwanruangh Taudaizaeng right before Christmas to witness our learning space come to life, constructed by the villagers who ensured that members from every family volunteered their time to build the traditional Khaangchu. Back then, we would dream about what Khaangchu could become. Kabithui and I spent days envisioning its potential—what was possible if the identity of the Rongmei Nagas were empowered to the extent that their voices could be heard loud and clear across the world? What do our children need to emerge as global leaders, skilled to solve challenges while guided by compassion? They needed a space where they’d be seen, heard, and valued for the strengths they bring to the table. They needed adults who would encourage their pursuit of knowledge and challenges, adults who could challenge them with care. They needed a community that believed in their potential to create impact on a grand scale. Above all, they needed exposure to the vast world of opportunities around them. And exactly a year later, those dreams are becoming reality. The past week at Khaangchu was nothing short of magical. We collaborated with Nazaria Arts Collective to host a week-long Documentary Filmmaking Workshop for learners aged 9–19. Miss Nandini and Miss Tanya, our incredible filmmakers, worked tirelessly to ensure our children not only learned the art of storytelling through film but also developed the confidence to express their voices creatively. Their dedication and mentorship enabled our learners to produce four amazing short documentaries that reflect the richness of their experiences, their culture, and their aspirations. This week reminded us of the power of creating opportunities for children to explore, learn, and express themselves. We are on a mission to create spaces where dreams take shape, voices find their rhythm, and young leaders rise with courage and purpose. The Circle India

What does it take to revive the lost identity of a tribe mired in conflict? What does it take to ensure the children born into this tribe see their life outcomes as beyond violence? What does it take to enable a culturally rich and natural resource abundant tribal community to step over poverty and monetize their assets sustainably? It takes a Kabithui who was born into this tribe in Manipur - to come back with pride after completing his education from Tier 1 institutes, and work towards ensuring that every child in his tribe gets a similar opportunity It takes an Ananya, who loves teaching, to find her way to this beautiful small village called Bwanruangh Taudaizaeng , to build a love for learning in these children And it takes a village who trusts the two of them in their efforts, and immerses in dialogue around no violence, empathy and culture. And all of this comes together through revival of a Khangchu - a space of learning for tribal children that was shut down and lost as a result of colonialism. As I found my way to this beautiful Rongmei Village a few weeks ago, I saw all of the above come alive. I woke up to children playing football at 5:30 AM with Kabi, while Ananya ensured there was Waka Waka playing in the background. I visited the homes of the children with Ananya to see their belief in value-based education and willingness to go miles to ensure their children get an excellent education. I saw children come to Khangchu to learn from Ananya Miss - Literacy and Numeracy in play based methods. I witnessed the power of peer learning and student leadership - with youth acting as coaches for the younger ones. It takes deep work to be a coach at Khangchu - these youth are made to reflect and dialogue with the community on violence - so that picking up guns doesn't become an aspiration. I left learning so much about a part of India and a tribe of India I was so oblivious to. Thanks to Kabi and Ananya, these Rongmei children will not only have an identity but also the knowledge and skills to have a dignified and thriving life rooted in culture, community and sustainability

🎄✨ Share the Warmth of Christmas with Prajaahita Foundation! ✨🎄 This Christmas, imagine the joy of a child with a disability smiling over a slice of cake or the comfort it brings to someone bedridden or battling cancer. ❤️  At Prajaahita Foundation, we believe in the power of small acts of kindness. Every year, we deliver Christmas cakes to those who finds joy in little things. This year, our mission is to reach 600 families across Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Palakkad.   For ₹130, you can:   🎂 Bring a moment of happiness to someone’s day   🎂 Be the reason someone feels loved and remembered this season   This is more than a cake—it’s a symbol of care and togetherness.  👉 Help us make this Christmas unforgettable.   🎁 Donate today to be part of this beautiful journey.  Account Name: PRAJAAHITA FOUNDATION Account number:10076257716 IFSC: IDFB0080931 Bank name: IDFC FIRST BANK Branch: Calicut Branch UPI ID: prajaahit.09@cmsidfc Let’s make sure no one feels alone this Christmas. Together, we can bring light, hope, and joy to those who need it the most. 💖 The Circle India

Searching, Trying, Learning, Making Mistakes, Growing, Glowing, Reaching, Falling, Getting up, Helping Others, Seeking Help, Failing, Winning, and so on. One thing I learned is that it is never going to be like a linear movie show for sure. But, the Good thing is that we will be on the course if we can see the light (purpose). One step at a time and this is my step. The Circle India Teach For India

Excited to share a new milestone! I have successfully completed the Reinventing Schools Starter Program 2024 with Teach For India Online and The Circle. This program has deepened my understanding of innovative school transformation strategies and equipped me with tools to drive meaningful change in the education ecosystem. Thank you to the teams at The Circle and Teach For India for curating such a powerful learning experience. I look forward to applying these insights to create impactful learning environments and empower students for the future! #EducationLeadership #SchoolTransformation #ContinuousLearning #TeachForIndia #TheCircle The Circle India Teach For India Teach For All Sandeep Rai Shaheen Mistri M S Mahala Maninder Singh

I spent my Thursday evening at a bustling community centre of Gosawi basti at Kothrud. Micro Leaps (Previously SeekhShala) is a happy place for 30+ students (62% coming from Marathi medium schools, 17% from semi-English medium schools and 21% from English medium schools) who otherwise have limited access to quality education. While speaking to these little ones, I heard them say how they wait for the entire day to come to the centre, how nothing is taught in the schools they go to, the projects they are working on at the centre, and how they are planning for Prince Jebastin bhaiya's birthday! In the two hours, I witnessed an exemplar learning environment with tech being used for self-directed learning through Khan Academy and Read Along, I saw peer learning happening throughout with kids of different levels helping each other, a gamified way of learning vocabulary, a lot of learning happening through examples and organic conversations, learning numeracy through games, the warmth that teachers had towards the kids and their love for teaching! The best part was that kids were just being themselves, having fun and were completely engaged in class. The joy of learning came alive in every student and in the four tin walls of the centre because of the personalized experience created by the team Micro Leaps. In a community with 4 diverse ideologies and their own inhibitions about each other, Prince Jebastin and Maulika Kulkarni 's centre is the only place where everyone comes together to learn, laugh and collaborate. Prince and Maulika are not just shifting learning outcomes for these kids, they are also shifting their life outcomes! If you'd like to volunteer, contribute or support Micro Leaps, reach out to Prince Jebastin or Maulika Kulkarni! The Circle India

Every time there’s a discussion about the lives of young girls in rural India, the conversation often revolves around phrases like, “They have to take care of their younger siblings,” or “They’re burdened with household chores.” We hardly ever hear the word "I" and it's always "they/them" It’s easy to intellectualize struggles. But the very language we use to dissect these struggles becomes the first barrier to their empowerment. If we think we’re speaking for them, we risk being complicit in silencing their voices. The true priority should be to support and empower them so they can tell their own stories in their own words. At Khaangchu, we are committed to making this happen. This week, we held a Filmmaking Bootcamp in collaboration with Nazaria Arts Collective, where our learners are being equipped to tell their stories through visual mediums. We’re excited about what they’ll create and can’t wait to share their work with you once the camp wraps up! Stay tuned, and thank you for believing in this vision of empowerment. Ananya Mukherjee Nandini Kochar Tanya Dixit The Circle India

Reflecting on Our Journey at the Schools of Tomorrow Summit✨ A few months ago, we had the privilege of being part of the transformative Schools of Tomorrow event, organized by Teach For India, The Circle India, The Akanksha Foundation, iTeach Schools and Teach For All in Pune. 🌟 From powerful discussions to inspiring experiences, the event offered a vision of what education can and should be—innovative, inclusive, and deeply connected to real-world impact. 📚 Embracing Creativity: The event reminded us that fostering creativity in education unlocks a child’s potential to think beyond textbooks and tackle challenges with fresh perspectives. 🤝 Collaboration is Key: Visiting these schools highlighted the magic that happens when teachers, students, and families come together with shared purpose and determination. 💡 Real-World Problem Solving: Engaging students in addressing community challenges transforms learning into action and empowers them to become changemakers. 🌱 The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning: Creating supportive spaces for emotional growth ensures our students thrive—not just academically but as individuals. 🌍 Sustainability and Responsibility: Building conscious global citizens starts early. These schools emphasized how students can champion sustainability and care for their communities. Moments like these—whether it was witnessing Shaheen Mistri’s joyful presence with students, hearing Nandita Deosthale’s insights on inclusive education, or reflecting on Gitanjali J Angmo’s vision for alternative learning—remind us why we’re here: to nurture dreams and unlock possibilities for every child. 🌈 At Aagamya Foundation, we remain committed to reimagining education by building schools that foster curious, confident, and compassionate future #SocialChangemakers. Together, let’s create learning spaces that inspire the leaders of tomorrow! #EducationForAll #InnovationInEducation #SchoolsOfTomorrow #AagamyaFoundation #TeachForIndia #SocialImpact #SustainableEducation #InclusiveLearning #InspiringCommunities Arhan Shah Pahulmeet Singh Maithreyee Nair Kawaljit Kaur