AKANKSHA SCHOOLS
Akanksha runs 21 English medium schools in Mumbai and Pune. As the largest network of public-private partnership schools in India, Akanksha redefines what is possible for students from low-income communities.
We are committed to progressive pedagogy that focuses equally on academic and socio-emotional support. As a result, our students outperform their counterparts in government schools:
Akanksha Schools
100% of Akanksha’s students graduate high school
21 students per teacher
96% of Akanksha alumni pursue higher education
Government Schools
Only 42% of children complete primary education
49 students per teacher
Only 26% of students nationally enroll in higher education
School Spotlight
The Akanksha Education Fund supports all Akanksha schools through contributions from donors in the U.S. Below are two such schools.
Matoshri English Medium School, Pune
Matoshri English Medium School was founded in 2009 in Yerwada, Pune to serve about 10 under-served communities in the surrounding areas. The school runs classes from Kindergarten through 10th grade, currently serving 897 students, with 44 teachers, and 16 staff (including helper Didis). The school leader, Puneet Bhansali, is committed to providing educational opportunities to ensure holistic development of every learner through continuous learning.
The vision for every child in the school is that they will exhibit a set of core values to leverage different situations successfully, using their acquired skills and knowledge. In 2019 – 20, the student retention rate was 100%. The first batch of will take the Grade 10 exam in 2020.
Mahalaxmi Mumbai Public School, Mumbai
In 2012, Mahalaxmi Mumbai Public School began in Mumbai’s Bhulabhai Desai Road area, running classes for Kindergarten students. The school currently runs educational programs for from kindergarten to Grade 6 with a priority on building problem-solving skills, critical thinking and decision-making, and creating opportunities to master these skills. These skills are inculcated across all lesson plans. Learning collaboratively through “think, pair, share” and group work has resulted in effective peer learning.
The school has also partnered with parents to create physical safe spaces for their children in their surroundings. The focus has been on working with the parent-led school management to advocate for the importance of physical safety, equip parents with skills to create safe spaces and to creating a positive and supportive environment for students.
