El Shaddai Shanti Niketan School, India

Education

19 Aug

Written By Article 25

Goa / India

Why the El Shaddai Shanti Niketan School matters

Children from vulnerable families, migrants, and local village children make up the 350 students at Shanti Niketan. The school uses an informal teaching practice in English, making it a unique and desirable option for many.

The design

The area of the school’s location, Assagao, near Mapusa in Goa, has a temperate climate and is hot and humid during the monsoon season from June to September.

A building which was responsive to this fluctuating weather system was essential. Seismic-resistant construction and environmentally sustainable concepts were incorporated into the design to ensure the security and longevity of the building.

Most of the children who attend the non-formal school are from the slums in Goa and cannot access basic services like education, healthcare and sanitation. The budget for this project was £60,000.

The impact

The school, now over 15 years old, continues to expand as demand for an informal teaching practice increases. Teachers and students praise the light-filled rooms and airy spaces. The school is able to contend with significant rainfall during the seasonal monsoon period. The colourful building and scenic grounds offer a safe and meaningful place for students to learn and develop.