Education

School

Established in 1991, the Mahakavi Bharathiyar Higher Secondary School in Kasuva village, near Thiruninravur in Tiruvallur district, provides free education from Montessori (LKG and UKG) to Std XII for over 2,100 children every year. The beneficiaries include residents of Sevalaya’s Children Home and underprivileged children from more than 42 neighbouring villages. The school also offers free textbooks, uniforms, and transport facilities for primary students.

The school features smart classrooms, robotics classes, science and computer labs, and a Tamil-medium Montessori section- one of the very few in the state, equipped with modern facilities and guided by well-trained faculty.

Alongside academics, students learn the values of Bharathiyar, Gandhi, and Vivekananda – the guiding inspirations of Sevalaya. Alumni also receive support for higher education and professional careers, helping break the cycle of rural poverty.

With a strong focus on sports, yoga, and fitness, students train in handball, basketball, volleyball, athletics, and chess, achieving success at district, state, and national levels, often securing college admissions under sports quota with fee waivers.

Impact

• Serving 42+ villages within a 20 km radius
• Child labour eradicated – villages once known for brick kiln child workers now boast 100% literacy
• Consistent ~100% pass results in Std X, XI, and XII
• Exceptionally low dropout rate – less than 2%
• 4,200+ graduates from the school (till 2025), almost half of them girls
• 96 district and state-level sports champions, with 49 alumni admitted to colleges under sports quota
• 1,400+ alumni supported in higher education, many now global professionals in diverse fields and international organisations
• 4,300+ children empowered through digital literacy projects
• 2,11,600+ children and youth reached with value-based education, fostering self-reliance and ethical living in rural areas

After-School Study Centres

Realising the need to support the education of underprivileged children beyond its own school, Sevalaya has been running After-School Study Centres since 2017 in rural and tribal areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. These centres assist children studying in Government schools, many of whom come from families where parents are unable to help with academics due to illiteracy, financial hardship, or the absence of a supportive home environment.

In partnership with IIT Madras Pravartak’s Kalvi Sakthi initiative, the centres emphasise STEM education and use smart boards for interactive learning.

For two hours every evening, teachers help with assignments, clear doubts, and improve learning. Weekly sessions include value education and fun activities.

Impact

• Dropouts re-enrolled in tribal residential schools
• 1,970+ students so far
• 33 centres active, with 5 more coming up across South India

Higher Education

Since 2014, Sevalaya has been enabling students who complete Std XII at its school to pursue college and professional studies by providing financial assistance. This support helps students move beyond school into meaningful careers, breaking the cycle of poverty and creating brighter futures for generations to come.

Impact

• 1,400+ alumni sponsored for higher education
• Many employed in public service, healthcare, engineering and teaching professions

Digital Literacy

 Sevalaya runs Digital Literacy Centres in Government schools at Chennai, Sirkazhi, Thillaiyadi and Kancheepuram to equip underprivileged children with essential computer skills. With hands-on exposure, students gain digital skills that prepare them for higher education and future careers.

Impact

• 4,300+ students impacted
• 4 districts across Tamil Nadu