Pehchaan Street School Transforms 1,600 Delhi Slum Children

Founded in 2015 by Akash Tandon, Pehchaan The Street School has grown from teaching 10 street children to educating over 1,600 underprivileged students across 10+ centres in Delhi NCR. The initiative delivers free, volunteer-driven education to children who otherwise lack access to formal schooling. Operating without traditional classrooms, Pehchaan focuses on academic learning, creative arts, and life skills, helping children move away from poverty-driven cycles and toward independent futures.

How Pehchaan The Street School Began in 2015?

The idea for Pehchaan, meaning identity, emerged when Akash Tandon witnessed children begging and working on Delhi’s streets with no access to education. The early classes were conducted under flyovers, footpaths, and parks using basic materials like mats, whiteboards, and donated books. This open learning model removed common barriers such as fees, admission tests, and documentation. Over time, the structure evolved into a more formal yet trauma-informed education system, adapted to the realities of street and slum children. Today, the organisation follows a customised, skill-based curriculum that balances textbooks with music, dance, arts, yoga, and communication training. This balanced approach helps build both academic strength and emotional confidence.

Volunteer-Driven Model Supporting 1,600+ Students

Before understanding its social impact, it is important to look at how the organisation operates on a daily basis. The educational ecosystem at Pehchaan is sustained entirely through community participation and structured volunteer engagement.

• Over 800 volunteers actively teach, mentor, and counsel students
• College interns conduct regular classes for 3-month cycles
• Students receive ID cards, attendance tracking, and learning assessments
• Programmes include healthcare support, legal awareness, and career guidance

This structure has resulted in a 94 percent board exam pass rate, reflecting both academic consistency and long-term mentorship. Several former students now study in higher education institutions, with many returning as volunteers themselves.

Community Engagement and Vocational Training Impact

Beyond classrooms, Pehchaan integrates vocational training and community development into its learning model. Students receive exposure to employable skills alongside formal education. Healthcare assistance and financial aid for higher studies further reduce dropout risks. One widely cited transformation is that of a former street child who is now pursuing graduation at a central university, becoming the first from his community to enter higher education. Such outcomes reflect the long-term social mobility created through sustained support.

National Awards and Future Expansion Plans

Pehchaan’s work has earned national recognition through multiple honours, including the National Youth Icon Award 2019, Karamveer Chakra 2021, Times Changemaker Award 2023, and the NITI Aayog Social Impact Award 2024. Looking ahead, the organisation plans to expand operations into Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. Upcoming initiatives include residential learning centres, enhanced digital literacy programmes, and dedicated mental health services for vulnerable children.

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