A classroom without walls: Delhi Park turns into a school for 200 children

HAPPY TEACHERS’ DAY

Metro India News | DELHI 

For 13 years, Balaji Park in Dwarka has been more than a neighborhood green space. For children of migrant laborers, rickshaw pullers and daily-wage workers, it has become a place to learn, speak and discover their abilities. The initiative was started by Namita Chaudhary with just five children. Today, more than 200 children are part of the program, while over 100 women have been reached through adult literacy and empowerment initiatives. The classes include regular lessons, drawing, spoken English and activities aimed at helping children develop skills beyond textbooks.

Namita said the idea grew from a simple thought about how she could use her time to make another person's life better. The classes initially catered to children living around construction sites. As more families learned about them, the program expanded. Namita and her team found that some children struggled academically because they lacked a supportive learning environment, while others showed talent in drawing, dance and communication. Spoken English became another important part of the program, especially for children from Hindi-medium schools who were hesitant to speak publicly.

The results are now visible among former students. More than 100 children who studied through the initiative have graduated. Some are working or preparing for careers. One is a receptionist at JP Pant Hospital, another became a teacher after completing teacher training, while others work in private schools and the travel sector. Komal, who joined in Class 3, has now returned to the park as an English teacher. Her father drives a rickshaw and her mother works as a helper. For Namita, that transformation is the real achievement. “This chain must not stop,” she says.