New Delhi, 05 November 2026:  Peepul, an organisation working to transform public education in India, today brought the joy of experiential learning to MCD Co-ed Primary School, Lajpat Nagar 3, with Baal Mela 2026. Hosted in partnership with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the vibrant celebration brought together students, teachers and parents for a day of creativity, exploration and foundational learning, demonstrating how joyful, child-centred experiences can nurture curiosity, confidence and essential skills in young learners.

As one of Peepul’s exemplar schools, MCD Co-ed Primary School, Lajpat Nagar 3, showcases how high-quality public education can be delivered within existing government school systems. Baal Mela reflected this vision by creating an inclusive, engaging environment where children could learn through play, express themselves freely and build confidence beyond conventional classroom settings.

The day-long festival featured a range of interactive experiences designed to strengthen foundational skills while celebrating childhood. Through playful inquiry, hands-on activities and collaborative participation, students explored new concepts, developed their creativity and experienced learning in an engaging and memorable way.

Three key experiences brought the celebration to life:

Grade-wise Activity and Food Stalls: Students from Nursery to Grade 5 participated in curriculum-linked educational games, creative challenges and hands-on activities, with rewards and refreshments adding to the excitement. The stalls offered children an opportunity to explore concepts through play while reinforcing classroom learning.

Digital Literacy Zone: Tablet-based learning stations introduced children to interactive games focused on foundational literacy, numeracy and problem-solving. The digital experience enabled students to engage with learning concepts in an intuitive, enjoyable and technology-enabled environment.

Community Dancing Zone: A lively, welcoming space brought students, teachers and parents together to dance and celebrate the joy of childhood. The experience fostered a sense of community, shared participation and belonging.

Speaking about the event, Kruti Bharucha, Founder and CEO, Peepul, said, “Baal Mela is a reminder that learning does not only happen at a desk. When children play, create and explore together, they build the curiosity, confidence and basic skills that everything else rests on. Seeing students, teachers and parents come together for the child builds a strong support system and a secure space for the child to thrive. We hope to create more such spaces in all government schools in India.

Our work at Peepul is about making sure that every child in a government school gets this kind of strong start, with foundational literacy and numeracy at the centre. Events like Baal Mela show that joyful learning and strong learning outcomes go hand in hand. We thank the MCD, the school’s teachers and the parents for making the day so special.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr Srinivas Tiwari, Principal, MCD Co-ed Primary School, Lajpat Nagar 3, said, “The National Education Policy 2020 emphasises joyful, experiential and activity-based learning that connects children’s learning with their everyday lives and communities. Baal Melas bring this vision to life by creating opportunities for children to explore, experiment, create and learn through play. Today, our students, teachers and parents came together to make learning a joyful and meaningful experience. We are grateful to Peepul for its support in helping us bring the spirit of the NEP into our classrooms and create enriching learning experiences for our children.”

Through initiatives such as Baal Mela, Peepul continues to demonstrate how strong foundational learning can be nurtured through engaging, child-centred experiences within public schools. The festival reflected the organisation’s belief that the early years are critical to a child’s educational journey, and that joyful, participatory learning, rooted in the school community, lays the foundation for lifelong learning and development.