At SEDT, we believe that children are the future. The Bal Panchayat is a children’s council where young minds are encouraged to think critically, build confidence, and dream big. We aim to involve around 500 children across 10 villages in this initiative.
Through the Bal Panchayat, children engage in discussions with their peers and adults, participate in decision-making, and reflect on their own personality development. The goal is to cultivate leadership, curiosity, and responsibility while encouraging children to help classmates who may be struggling in school. They also learn to think about their school, community, and village, developing a sense of social awareness from an early age.
Our Approach
The Bal Panchayat is designed for children aged 12–14. Each school forms its own council, where children elect representatives to form a working group of 12–14 members. Gender equality is central to every activity.
A teacher is nominated by the headmaster to guide the group and coordinate with SEDT. This ensures the smooth functioning of the council and helps maintain a strong connection between the children, schools, and community. Bal Panchayats are not entirely new — similar councils have existed in schools for the past 6–8 years, and we are now strengthening and expanding the model.
Bal Panchayat activities focus on personality and leadership development, including:
- Study circles in each school
- Competitions across subjects
- Workshops on participation, expression, and critical thinking
- Regular meetings that involve children, parents, and community members
Through these activities, the Bal Panchayat serves as a platform to promote education, child development, and active community participation, helping children grow into responsible and confident young leaders.
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