Afterschool has a long history in India...

Organized afterschool programmes as distinct from tution classes are seen as a fairly recent phenomenon in India (a trend related to the growing numbers of nuclear families with both parents working). However, there has been a rich history of afterschool programmes - the next few posts will focus on this.

The Balbhavan is an institution whose history goes back to the 1950s. The national (at Delhi) and state level units provide children a range of activities that complement/supplement school education including - science activities, performing arts, physical education, creative arts, etc. It is also a training resource centre for teachers offering training in visual arts, teaching methodology, etc.

The Balbhavan is probably the only (or one of the few) ways in which the Government supports afterschool programmes in the country.