Aajibaichi Shala: India’s first school for grandmothers who cannot read and write

On a quiet evening in Phangane, a small village in Maharashtra’s Thane district, the sound of laughter often spills out from a small classroom of a school that runs for only 2hours  daily. But here, the students are not children. They are grandmothers, some in their sixties, a few in their seventies, and even women approaching ninety, dressed in pink sarees with slate and chalk in hand. This is Aajibaichi Shala, India’s first school for grandmothers who never had the opportunity to read or write.

Origin and Mission  

Founded in 2016 by Yogendra Bangar and  Motiram Dalai Charitable Trust, this school is a revolutionary initiative making waves in the education sector. It is India's first school for grandmothers that has broken the barriers and empowers elderly women to read, write, and take control of their lives in this age of technology.  

The primary objective of Aajibaichi Shala is to educate elderly women who had no time to go to school because of the social rules and norms. The school is currently home to 28 students, aged between 60 and 90, who come to school in decent pink sarees, which denotes that they have a new identity after this initiative for older women’s education in rural Maharashtra.  

A Day at Aajibaichi Shala 

It opens with a prayer and roll call, and then classes commence in Marathi alphabet, numbers and simple arithmetic. The grandmothers also take up gardening activities where they plant and care for saplings, fostering a feeling of belonging and responsibility. These women are extraordinarily determined despite their physical challenges, as some of them have hearing impairments and poor vision. They do this because they want to place their signatures and read skills which will allow them to handle daily transactions without apprehension.

The Impact of Education

To these elderly women learning, education is not a mere tool of empowerment, but something more. They can become more active members of their communities by learning to read and write, make informed choices, and demand their rights. The school has made a positive contribution to the entire village, educating people about hygiene, sanitation, and healthcare. Kantabai, a student, says that the village has numerous issues, such as a water crisis, poor sanitation, a lack of healthcare facilities, and a lack of means of transport. Aajibaachi Shala has acted like a new wave of hope in this village in this environment”. A 78-year-old student Shantabai said, “We raised our children to study, but our time never came. Today, when I can read my grandson’s textbook, I feel young again.”

A Remarkable Initiative 

Aajibaichi Shala is one bright example of human potential and the ability to change life through education.Ramabai Ganpat Chandelle, an 87-year-old student, said, "I am a ripe fruit that could fall off the branch any time. I was not able to study as a child and was illiterate my entire life. But I would not wish to be illiterate. I am glad now that I can take a few words with me to the other world." This school is a wake-up call that age is no obstacle to learning and everyone has a right to achieve their potential.

Why should India Appreciate this initiative? 

Aajibachi Shala is the hope of old women in India; this is how education can change both individual and society life. When we commemorate the success of the outstanding women, we are also reminded of the need to encourage literacy and education for everyone, irrespective of their age or background. We can contribute to building a more inclusive and empowering society by appreciating and contributing to efforts such as Aajibaichi Shala initiative.  

A New Definition of Literacy

The grandmothers of Phangane are redefining literacy. To them it is the right to get to a bus stop and know that they will not be afraid, to read the cost of grains at the market, and to do their grandchildren's homework.

At the time when India discusses the relevance of education in employability and careers, the image of these women reciting rhymes makes us realize that education is also the matter of dignity, equality, and happiness.

It has been said very beautifully by one of the teachers of the school that “we say children are the future of the country. But the past in Phangane has chosen to shake hands with the future--sitting cross-legged on the same mat.”

It’s been a decade now since Aajibaichi Shala, school for grandmothers, came into existence, yet it continues not just as a school, but as a symbol that it is never too late to learn. The story of these grandmothers has reminded India and the world that education is beyond the parameters of age, gender, or circumstance.

In the tiny chalk marks of Aajibaichi Shala lies a universal lesson: learning has no expiry date but the need for motivation.