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SAMAAVESHI PATHSHAALA

KASHELE VILLAGE, KARJAT TALUKA, MAHARASHTRA - 410 201, INDIA.

VISION

One day, all schools will become ‘inclusive’.

MISSION

To bring systemic transformation in schools where every child irrespective of their social background or disability has equal access and opportunity to quality education.

Samaaveshi Pathshaala

OUR PROGRAMMES
OUR PARTNERS
SUPPORT US

Who are we?

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

At present, we have 30 children (15 each in KG and Grade 1), including 10 children with disability, who study together using multi-sensory approach. We follow an ‘inclusive curriculum’ that’s designed to give each child an equal opportunity to learn and participate in activities both in and outside the classroom. Besides, by integrating theories of constructivism, universal design for learning (UDL), and social-emotional learning (SEL), we strive to enhance creativity, expression and learning outcomes for all children with diverse learning needs.

Beginning June 2019, we launched a series of new programmes to build an ‘ecosystem of inclusive education’ in Karjat block:
a) Samaaveshi (Community) Library
b) Inclusive ‘Anganwadi’ Transformation
c) Inclusive School in-a-Box
d) Samaaveshi Solar Innovations.

Meet the Core Team

NIVEDITA TIWARI

Co-founder & Director

Nivedita has worked for over eight years in disability and inclusive education, with several grassroots and international organizations based in India and Nepal. She holds an MA in 'Disability Studies and Action' from TISS (Mumbai), and a certificate in ‘Arts-based Therapy’ from the World Centre for Creative Learning Foundation, Pune. In her last job, she worked as a consultant with the inclusive education department of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), New Delhi.

Nivedita is the Director of Samaaveshi, and she leads the inclusive school, teacher-training, and resource development programmes.

Email: Nivedita.Samaaveshi@gmail.com

ASHOK SHAH

Co-founder & Operations Head

Ashok has 10 years of experience in print/online media and development communication. A Nepalese national, he did his BA in Journalism from Bangalore University, during the course of which he founded a students' collective called 'MISSION 5'. Following, he pursued MSW in 'Health & Development' from TISS (Mumbai). From 2012 to 2018, he worked as a Communications Officer with a charity called CBM International, based out of Kathmandu and New Delhi.

At Samaaveshi, Ashok is responsible for programme implementation, community relations, communications and fundraising.

Email: Ashok.Samaaveshi@gmail.com

ANDRIYA CHANDY

Inclusion Advisor

Andriya is an assistant professor with the Department of Social Work at Mumbai University. She holds an 'MA in Disability Studies & Action' from TISS Mumbai, and has worked for a decade in social sector.

As an inclusion advisor, Andriya helps ensure all our programmes are designed following universal design for learning (UDL), and take into account all aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion.

RESHMA SAWANT

Lead, ZP Inclusive-ed Support

After a degree in Botany, Reshma discovered her interest in early learning. She then did courses on 'Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE)', inclusive education and Indian Sign Language (ISL).

She now leads our 'Zilla Parishad (ZP) Inclusive-ed Support Programme' and focuses on designing inclusive curriculum and facilitating learning for 28 students (5 CWDs) in Grades 1-3.

PRATIK DHAWALIKAR

Field Co-ordinator

Pratik holds an M.A. in Marathi & Diploma in Journalism. He has several years of experience in experimental theatre and creative arts.

He manages our community operations, engagements with the Anganwadi network in Karjat, and facilitates theatrical games and storytelling sessions for children at our partner ZP school.

BHARATI DABHANE

School Assistant

Bharati joined us in the very first month, Dec 2018. Her hard work has transformed our playground into a vibrant, colourful garden that has added to the aesthetic outlook of our school.

Besides, she's keen to learn new skills and is a regular participant at all our Anganwadi trainings on disability, diversity and inclusion.

SHITAL PHALE

Kindergarten Support Teacher

Shital completed her 10th grade and worked for a few years an assistant nurse at the Rural Hospital in Kashele.

Her passion to engage with children shows in the way she provides individual support to children with special needs. Besides, she often facilitates library-centred workshops on storytelling and creative arts.

SUVARNA DEORE

Lead, Inclusive Kindergarten

Suvarna completed her B. Ed and taught primary level for a few years at an under-resourced school in Kashele village.

After a career break due to motherhood, she joined us as an outreach tutor to teach our local students during COVID pandemic. Later, she's promoted to lead the Inclusive Kindergarten programme.

POOJA MHASE

Early Childhood Educator

Pooja did B.Com and worked as a teacher for a year with tribal children in remote Chinchwadi village of Karjat.

She's tasked with designing activities following universal design for learning (UDL) for our Inclusive Kindergarten programme comprising 25 students, including four children with disabilities.

DARSHANA MAHADIK

Admin & Finance Assistant

Darshana completed MS-CIT and worked for three years as an IT operator with a local firm in Kashele village.

She joined Samaaveshi in mid-2022 and is responsible for general procurement, record-keeping and managing our fast-growing administrative and financial operations.

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