‘Samaaveshi Pathshaala Foundation’ is a registered nonprofit based in Karjat tribal block of Maharashtra, founded by two graduates of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Our mandate is to build an inclusive society: a society for all where no one is left behind and everyone gets equal opportunity to excel in life. And the journey to build an inclusive society starts from an inclusive classroom.

Our flagship programme is called ‘Samaaveshi Pathshaala’ – an inclusive kindergarten in Kashele village, launched on 3rd December 2018, World Disability (Inclusion) Day. Our goal is to become a model inclusive school where all children irrespective of their social backgrounds and disabilities have equal access and opportunity to quality education.

At present, we have 15 children aged 4-6 years, including six children with disabilities (one child with physical disability, two children with cerebral palsy, and three with speech and hearing impairments), who study together in the same classroom, led by a special educator and a ‘shadow’ teacher.

The school’s curriculum is designed in a way that each child gets equal opportunity to learn and participate in activities both in and outside the classroom. Besides, by integrating concepts of constructivism, arts-based therapy (ABT) and social-emotional learning (SEL), we strive to enhance creativity, expression and learning outcomes for all children.