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A line of old shipping containers under a busy Mumbai flyover has become a free school for street children who cannot attend regular schools in India.
The 'Signal Shala,' which means 'traffic signal school, ' was founded by Bhatu Sawant, 45. He runs the school for dozens of children from homeless and low-income families. Even though the law promises free schooling for children aged six to 14, many still miss out because of poverty and families moving from place to place in India's big cities.
'These children can't go to a regular school. So I thought, let's do this. Let's bring the school to them,' Sawant told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
India runs one of the world's largest public school systems, but government data for 2024-25 identified nearly 1.2 million children as 'out of school.' This figure includes those who have never attended or have dropped out.
When the children arrive, they take a shower first because many do not have a place to bathe at home. The school gives them lockers for their books and uniforms, which are hard to keep safe or clean in slums or on the streets. They also get three free meals each day, and the school day is longer than usual.
Classes are grouped by skill level rather than age, and teachers adjust lessons for children who may never have used a pencil before. Older students learn basic skills like sitting still, speaking clearly, and paying attention.
The school also helps children from the semi-nomadic Pardhi community, many of whom do not speak the local language.
'When the children came here, they didn't know what the days of the week were, what the 12 months were, or what the seasons were,' said teacher Tejasvi Borade.
For many students, school means more than just learning. Twelve-year-old Pooja Pawar, whose parents work at construction sites, says the school bus makes her happy every day.
Balaji Laxman, 12, used to sell tissues at traffic lights to earn a few dollars a day, but now he says going to school lets him dream of a different future.
'I want to become a doctor,' Laxman said.
Sawant has started two more schools on the edge of Mumbai, and both have robotics labs. The project depends on donations from people and companies, while the government helps with buildings and facilities.
'We have to prepare them for the 21st century,' Sawant said.
'They should learn robotics, AI, computers, and 3D printing. Everything that children from wealthy families are good at, they should know too.'
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