Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from a tuition centre?

At a tuition centre, a teacher decides what the child should study and the child completes it. At a Vismaya Kalike centre, the child decides. In practice this means a child might spend an entire session playing a board game, another might work on math worksheets they chose, and a third might be running a science experiment. The facilitator’s role is to create the environment and be available, not to direct.

What ages do you work with?

Our centres are inclusive of all age groups and academic levels. That said, children between 11 and 13 are the most vulnerable to dropping out and we pay particular attention to this group.

Who can come to a learning centre?

Anyone. Our centres are open to all children in the community. We don’t turn anyone away based on age, ability, caste, religion or any other criteria. In practice, we seed our centres in the most marginalised communities — those that have the fewest options and opportunities. Most centres have mixed-age groups. Older children often help younger ones and we’ve found this dynamic to be one of the most effective parts of the programme.

How do you handle children who just want to play?

If they only want to play, that is acceptable. The space is for the children, not for the parents or school. Play is how children learn — it builds problem-solving skills, social skills, creativity and confidence. We take play seriously and it’s often the first thing we focus on when a new centre opens.

How do you track progress?

We don’t use exams or grades. Instead, we use several qualitative mechanisms:

• Field notes — Facilitators and coordinators document observations about what children are doing and how they’re engaging
• Children’s feedback — We regularly ask children about their experience
• Portfolios — Collections of each child’s work over time
• Coordinator reports — Regular observations from our coordination team
• Community reporting — Through home visits, parent meetings and community events where we share what’s happening at the centres

How do parents respond to this approach?

We regularly solicit feedback from parents and caretakers about their child’s progress — things like improved school attendance, increased confidence or changes in behaviour at home. This helps us gauge the broader effect of the programme and keeps parents involved in the process.

Is it free?

Yes. Our centres are free for all children. We are funded through donations from individuals, foundations and corporate partners.

What about safety?

The safety of children is something we take very seriously. Our facilitators are from the local community which means they know the families and the neighbourhood. We maintain clear guidelines around safe spaces and appropriate conduct. All facilitators go through an orientation that includes child safety protocols.

Do facilitators need teaching qualifications?

No. Facilitators are evaluated on their ability to create joy and develop play way materials, not on academic degrees. They are community members who understand the children and the neighbourhood. We support them through peer circles, workshops and ongoing conversations about what it means to create a self-determined learning space.

Does this approach work in rural areas?

Yes, and in some ways it works even better. We’ve been running centres in Hosapete and surrounding districts in partnership with Sakhi Trust and the experience has been encouraging. Rural communities often have more space for outdoor play, stronger community bonds and greater receptivity to the idea of joyful learning. The challenges are different but the core principles translate well.

Are the children not learning anything?

They are — just not in the way a school measures it. A child who spends three months mostly playing and then one day picks up a worksheet on their own has learned something profound: that learning can be their choice. We’ve seen children who were disengaged from school become deeply curious once they had the freedom to explore. Foundational literacy and numeracy matter and we continue to develop material and approaches that support these within a self-determined framework.

Isn’t this just letting children do whatever they want?

Not quite. The environment is intentionally designed — we choose what materials are available, how the space is set up and what activities are offered. The facilitator is always present, observing, engaging and creating opportunities. The difference is that the child decides what to engage with and when. We design the menu, the child orders.

Why don’t you just improve existing schools?

Schools operate within significant structural constraints — standardised curricula, rigid timetables, high student-to-teacher ratios. After-school spaces give us the freedom to experiment with approaches that schools simply can’t try right now. Many of the children at our centres attend school during the day. We see ourselves as complementary, not adversarial.

How can I donate?

From India you can donate at vismayakalike.org/donate. Donations to Heera Foundation (our parent organisation) are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80G. From the US you can contribute through Spring Foundation at springfnd.org/vika. Spring Foundation is a 501©(3) registered nonprofit so your donation is tax-deductible.

Can I donate through my employer?

Yes. We are registered on Benevity and JoinDeed. If your employer offers donation matching or a giving programme, you can search for Spring Foundation or Heera Foundation on these platforms.

How are donations used?

Our work has three pillars:

• Learning centres — Running and expanding our network of 50 centres including facilitator stipends, learning material, rent and coordination
• Action research — Studying and documenting what works in self-determined learning spaces so we can build an evidence base
• Fellowships — Supporting facilitators and young leaders from the communities we work with

Can I volunteer?

Yes. You can help by spending time with children, running a specific activity or workshop, helping with documentation or supporting our operations. Write to us through our contact page and we’ll find the right fit.

Do I need to speak Kannada?

It helps, especially if you want to work directly with children. Most of our centres are in Kannada-speaking communities. That said, there are ways to contribute that don’t require Kannada — documentation, design, technology, fundraising and content creation among others.

Can I visit a learning centre?

Absolutely. We welcome visitors who want to see the work firsthand. Reach out to us and we’ll arrange a visit to one of our centres in Bangalore or Hosapete.

I run an organisation and want to set up learning centres in my community. How do I get started?

The Getting Started section of our handbook walks through identifying a space, finding a facilitator, building community partnerships and the materials you’ll need. We’re also building a ViKa collective — a network of organisations running joyful learning spaces using shared principles and resources. Write to us if you’d like to explore a partnership.