Eklavya Foundation is a registered non-profit NGO based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (India) and has been active in the field of education and publishing since 1982. One of its thrust areas is on-field, collaborative engagement with government structures, teachers and communities, for an inclusive, participatory, meaningful and culturally responsive education grounded in critical, inquiry-based, experiential learning. Currently, Eklavya has a strong on-ground presence in select districts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar, and outreach to organizations and locations across India through the professional support initiative and publications.

The Eklavya Foundation, with support from the Samatvam Trust, piloted a certificate course in Education for Dialogue, Maitri and Justice and Emotions in Learning in response to the urgent need to integrate dialogue, justice, fraternity (Maitri), and emotional awareness into education.

The course aimed to situate these ideas within the Indian social context while equipping participants with practical tools to foster safe, empathetic, and inclusive learning spaces. It explored themes such as conflict, violence, and trauma through an emotion-informed lens, emphasizing care, healing, and critical engagement within classrooms and beyond.

Course Structure:
The program followed a blended format over two and a half months, including:

• Online context-building sessions covering key social realities (caste, class, gender, religion, language, disability)
• A 5½-day in-person workshop in Narmadapuram
• Follow-up online sessions and a final assignment involving designing a facilitation plan for a chosen learner group

Approach and Pedagogy:
The course adopted a holistic and inclusive approach, combining:

• Bilingual delivery (Hindi and English)
• Hybrid learning suited to working professionals
• Trauma-aware and emotion-informed perspectives on conflict and learning
• Emphasis on safe classroom spaces, empathy, and dialogue
• Use of arts-based methods such as forum theatre, music, literature, and films
• Practical tools like active listening, structured dialogue, and critical literacy

Learning Journey:
Participants engaged in deep self-reflection, explored emotional dimensions of learning, and examined justice, conflict, and fraternity in educational settings. Activities included theatre-based explorations of classroom realities, music as a tool for building community, and critical engagement with texts and narratives. The course also introduced trauma-informed practices and concluded with reflections on healing.

Cohort and Impact:
The pilot brought together a diverse group—teachers, facilitators, NGO workers, researchers, and others thus creating a rich space for shared learning and dialogue. It stands out as a unique initiative addressing these themes in the Indian educational context.

Key Learnings and Areas for Improvement:
While the course was impactful, reflections highlighted the need to:

• Revisit scheduling for better accessibility, especially for government teachers
• Slow down the pace and allow deeper engagement with key themes
• Strengthen connections between different concepts through bridging sessions
• Expand opportunities for practice and discussion
• Further structure course materials and handbook resources

Way Forward:
The pilot has established a strong foundation for future iterations, offering valuable insights to further refine its structure, enhance accessibility, and deepen participant engagement. Building on these learnings, the next phase can more intentionally strengthen pathways that integrate dialogue, justice, and emotional awareness into educational spaces, ensuring that the approach remains inclusive, impactful, and sustainable over time.