Masoom Education

To carry
a positive action

we must develop a positive vision

Founding Story

Nikita worked in different capacities as a journalist, lecturer and social worker before qualifying for the prestigious Union public Services commission. After spending over 3 years in various administrative positions in DRDO, Air headquarters and NCC directorate, Nikita felt the urge to do something beyond and left the service to work for various NGOs. She spent some time at Save the children India and Sahas Sports foundation. It was while working on a social project she came across night schools accidentally. What she saw and heard compelled her to start Masoom in 2008- an organization focused on improving the night schools. In 2006 Nikita initiated a participatory research project on Night Schools in Mumbai. The research was sponsored by Partners for Urban Knowledge Action and Research (PUKAR), an organisation that offers fellowships for young researchers to uproot socio-economic issues in Mumbai.

The report, “To Understand Educational Needs of Night School Students and Developing Methods to overcome them”, was completed in 2007.

The report concluded that night schools were failing to meet expectations and fulfill their potential. At the very least they demonstrated the need for improved resource and infrastructure, such as; notebooks, textbooks, science lab material, a library, evening nutrition, counseling service and career guidance. The outcome of the research naturally led to the realization that action needed to be taken to improve the night school system. This led to the conception of Masoom.

Masoom was registered as a Charitable Trust on 14th January 2008.

Masoom is presently working in 95 night schools of Mumbai, Pune, and other districts of Maharashtra. Masoom plans to reach out to 120 night schools by 2025 impacting 25,000 night school students in Maharashtra.

Vision

Empower, strengthen, and transform night schools and set up Evening Learning Centers to ensure youth learn and earn better through better education and skilling opportunities.

Mission

Enable night school students and out-of-school dropout youth and adults to achieve their full potential through educational and policy support, leading to better skills and job opportunities.

Vision

Empower, strengthen and transform night schools to ensure the youth learn better and earn better.

Mission

Enable night school students to achieve their full potential through educational and policy support leading to better skills and job opportunities.

Board Members

Ms. NIKITA KETKAR

Founder and CEO

Ms. Nikita is a postgraduate in political science from Mumbai University. She has an exciting and varied background. She worked as a journalist, a lecturer, and a social worker before qualifying for the Indian Civil Services. Nikita led a two-year intensive, participatory research project into the educational challenges faced by night school students, which laid the groundwork for the birth of Masoom. She worked with several NGOs in the educational sector before establishing Masoom in 2008.

Mr. ATUL GANDHI

Trustee

Mr. Atul has an M.Sc. in Statistics and a Masters Ph.D. in Population Studies from the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai. Atul comes with over 15 years of experience in the development sector. Before joining EdelGive Foundation as a COO, he worked with organizations like Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Pathfinder International, and TISS on programs supported by USAID, BMGF, and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria in the areas of public health. He has also supported several organizations in developing M&E plans, designing computerized MIS applications, and conducting baselines and mid-term or end-line evaluations.

* Mr. Ashish Chowdhry

Trustee

Mr. Ashish Chowdhry’s journey has woven together decades of experience in film, brand building, and infrastructure development. With over 35 films, 100 commercials, and leadership roles across various industries, he has made a meaningful impact in both business and entertainment. His background includes creating ventures that push boundaries and supporting India’s rapid infrastructure growth, all while championing causes close to his heart. Ashish’s commitment to uplifting communities and fostering change aligns closely with Masoom’s mission, making his contributions invaluable to the organization’s work in empowering young minds through education.

Mr. VINEET V KETKAR

Trustee

Mr. Vineet is a Chartered Accountant who worked with numerous corporate organizations before establishing his own practice. He has been invaluable in establishing and developing Masoom's accounting systems.

DR. CHANDRASHEKAR BANGARGI

Trustee

Dr. Bangargi is a medical health practitioner. He oﬀers a wealth of experience and support regarding health issues.

Mr. SURYAKANT DESHPANDE

Trustee

Mr. Suryakant works with Navneet Publications as an academic consultant. He is the former headmaster of KMS Night School, Parel in Mumbai.

* The onboarding of Ashish in Masoom's legal board has begun however the formal inclusions will be completed after the Change Report from the Charity Commissioner.

Team

Masoom is dedicated to quality education in night schools. By partnering with the Education Department of Maharashtra Government, Masoom is closer to facilitating its vision of bringing greater change to Night School education in India. Currently Masoom family consists of 56 team members and 96 teachers working at school level. Support of the team members has played a crucial role in enabeling Masoom to progress towards achieving its goal.

Organisation Structure

Life at Masoom

• Being TRANSPARENT in all we do

Communicating honestly as a team member and partner; saying what we mean, and doing what we say.

• Delivering ABOVE WHAT IS EXPECTED

Taking ownership of our duties to ensure excellence in outcomes, being a responsible custodian of funds entrusted to us, and giving our donors optimal value for their investment.

• Cultivating a PARTICIPATIVE & INCLUSIVE atmosphere

Working together with all stakeholders, to serve our beneficiaries better as team members, ensuring that our actions are driven by values.

• ENJOYING our work!

Reflecting passion at the workplace and in the community. Engaging with each other as a family, nurturing a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Night Schools

Masoom currently works with a total of 95 night schools in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar and Nagpur with the aim of further expansion. These schools are run by charitable trusts supported by the salary grant of the Education Department of the Maharashtra government.