Nav Prabha
Nav Prabha
Prakash Setu (प्रकाश सेतु)
Prakash Setu (प्रकाश सेतु), meaning "Bridge of Light," is the flagship educational program of Nav Prabha. It is designed to bring the light of education, knowledge, and opportunity to children from marginalized communities who are often excluded from quality learning opportunities. The aim of Prakash Setu is to spread the light of literacy and education to everyone living in the darkness of lost opportunities. We hope to set a pathway to knowledge and understanding for these well deserving kids to hope, truth and a better life.
Prakash Setu primarily serves children who have never attended school, have dropped out of school, or are significantly behind their age-appropriate learning levels. The program focuses on developing foundational literacy and numeracy skills while also helping children cultivate essential school habits such as regular attendance, classroom discipline, following a timetable, and basic communication skills in Hindi and English.
An Informal Education Centre
Prakash Setu functions as an informal education centre, providing structured learning
opportunities apart from the conventional school system for children living in the
underserved slum communities of Lucknow.
Many of the children enrolled in the program face challenges such as poverty, irregular
school attendance, migration, first-generation learner tatus, child labour responsibilities,
weak foundational learning, and l imited access to quality education. Even children who
are enrolled in formal schools often struggle to keep pace academically due to gaps in
their basic skills.
Prakash Setu addresses these challenges by providing personalized educational
support in a nurturing environment. The program helps children strengthen their
academic foundations, develop a love for learning, and gain the confidence needed
to succeed both in life.
A Bridge School
Prakash Setu also serves as a Bridge School. It provides accelerated learning support for children who are out of school, have dropped out, have never enrolled, or are significantly behind their expected learning level.
As mentioned above, the program works with children from highly disadvantaged backgrounds, including migrant families, working children, and those whose education has been interrupted. Through focused instruction and individualized support, Prakash Setu helps these children acquire the foundational skills required to enter or re-enter formal education successfully.
The goal of the Prakash Seu is not to replace mainstream schooling entirely but to prepare children for successful integration into the formal education system, and support them throughout their educational journey.
Our Approach
Education at Prakash Setu is offered free of cost or at a highly subsidized rate (as low as ₹50/- per student per month) to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent children from accessing education.
Students participate in intensive learning sessions that help them cover learning within a stipulated period. The curriculum is based on the NCERT framework and currently provides instruction up to Grade 5 level, and include project-based learning activities.
Each academic session runs from April to March and includes two comprehensive examinations conducted at six-month intervals to assess student progress and learning outcomes.
The long-term objective of the program is to enable children to transition into age-appropriate formal schools after completing Grade 5. Wherever possible, Nav Prabha continues to support these students through academic mentoring, tuition assistance, and partial educational sponsorships to improve retention and long-term success.
Where are We?
At present, Prakash Setu operates two learning centres in the slum communities of Makhdoompur and Kanchanpur in Lucknow.
Together, these centres serve approximately 50 children at the Nursery, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 levels. Through regular instruction, individual attention, and community engagement, the program is helping children take their first steps toward a lifelong journey of learning and opportunity.