139 Gyan Setus (one-room schools) in urban slums and remote villages of Lucknow, serving 3,858 students.

One room schools educate children with no access to schools, bring them to grade level, and then transition them to public schools to give them a fighting chance for a better life.

Many kids in the very poor areas around cities or rural villages never attend school. Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF), a Mona partner, has responded to this need by operating GyanSetus, or non-formal education centers (in practice, one-room schools).

These schools provide a way to educate kids living in abject poverty in urban slums or rural village where there is no access to clean water, sanitation, or schools, bring them to grade level and transition them to the public school system to give them a fighting chance for a better life for themselves and for their families.  Overtime, Gyan setus have proven to be an effective solution to the chronic problem of education systems that have isolated and alienated the children on the margin.

Mona Foundation began the support of the Gyan Setus (one-room schools) in 2017 with a commitment to fund 14 schools at the cost of $3,000 per school per year serving 30-40 students. The cost covers the salary and travel expense of a qualified teacher, school uniforms, supplies, and an occasional meal when possible. 

With loyal support of our donors, Mona Foundation in 2022 supported 139 such schools, serving 3,858 students at the cost of $7/month/student. While the growth has been significant, the needs are greater.  Currently SHEF has 450 applications to establish such schools in other areas pending funding.  The video below shows 63 of such schools, serving 2,089 students.

GyanSetu centers also act as hubs of community transformation.

GyanSetu has come a long way in the last 10 years. They began with being community based one room schools.  Now, they are offering other services to the community including early childhood education, adult literacy programs, digital literacy classes and skill development (such as tailoring).  Gyan Setus are also committed to educating mothers.  Each one holds 6 to 7 meetings per month for mothers. During these meetings a certified teacher, accompanied by counselors train the mothers on the basics of health and hygiene, domestic violence, child marriage, alcoholism, etc. and connect them with community services that can save their lives, and keep them going. New Paragraph

Key educational achievements in 2022 include:

• 139 GyanSetus are now educating over 3,858 students 75 locations.
• 167 women enrolled in adult literacy program.
• 204 children transitioned to public schools.     
• 65 girl students completed digital literacy courses.
• 120 students completed their skill development course to enable employment.
• 32 anti-dowry and family counseling sessions were held. 12 of the 30 cases of reported violence against women and girls were resolved and the rest are in process.

The video below features Gyan Setus' 10 Year Anniversary Sports Extravaganza where 700 select students from 139 Centers competed for medals across many sporting skills.