Aajibaichi Shala: Inside the unique school of India where students are in their 60s, 70s and 80s

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In Phangane, a small village in Maharashtra, the afternoon sun usually signals a time for rest. Yet, a group of elderly women dressed in bright pink sarees gathers each day at a colorful hut under a mango tree, carrying satchels and learning materials. Here, the students are not children, they are grandmothers, some in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s.

This unique school, known as Aajibaichi Shala, or the grandmothers’ school, was established by charitable trust and Yogendra Bangar, a teacher at the village's primary school, to teach literacy and basic arithmetic to women who missed formal education in their youth. The school operates in a purpose-built hut where women sit cross-legged on cotton rugs, practicing the Marathi alphabet, numbers, and writing their names.

The school was launched in 2024 on International Women’s Day, aimed at empowering women over 60. Initially, classes were held in the home of a young local teacher, but the growing number of students led to the creation of a dedicated space shaded by a large mango tree. Today, around 30 women attend lessons six days a week for two hours in the afternoon.

Life in Phangane follows the rhythms of rural Maharashtra. Women manage household chores, care for grandchildren, cook, and tend to livestock, yet they make time to attend classes, highlighting their commitment to learning despite daily responsibilities. The school also creates a sense of community, allowing the women to learn alongside peers in a supportive environment.

The initiative comes at a time when India has made significant strides in literacy, but gaps remain, particularly in rural areas. Early marriages and social expectations often prevented girls from completing school in previous generations. Aajibaichi Shala addresses this imbalance, offering an opportunity to acquire skills long denied.