Founded in 1997, the Association for Promotion of Creative Learning (APCL) is a pioneering not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fostering creativity and holistic education in India. It was born from a vision to make learning a joyful, inclusive, and empowering experience, especially for children from underprivileged and excluded communities.

At Creative Learning, we nurture every child’s natural ability to wonder, explore, design, and create - preparing them for life.

Are you a parent seeking a more joyful, meaningful learning journey for your child?
Are you an educator passionate about transforming classrooms into creative spaces?
Are you a changemaker who believes every child deserves the freedom to think and create?

Click the Creative Learning initiatives below to know more about them.

Creative Learning - A Handbook for Teachers and Trainers

In this era of information-based socio-economic order, creativity is going to become an all-important quality. The challenge before us is to design an education system which may enable us to develop creativity in society so that we can acquire the ever-expanding base of information and apply it to the best use of humanity. Authored by Vijoy Prakash, the book examines the basic concepts of education and suggests approaches and methods for their improvement. Designed as a handbook for teachers, trainers, academicians and parents, this book offers a comprehensive plan for the overhaul of our education system, which will enable it to meet the demands of the present, and the fast-approaching future.

There is so much to learn from you.
TS Sandhu Unicef Patna, Bihar, India

Very impressive, holds promise for many for a creative future.
Pratyush Sinha, (NOBA 1956 - 1962), IAS Additional Secretary, Deptt of Agriculture, Govt of India New Delhi, India

Inspiring
Shailesh Kumar Singh (NOBA 1977 - 1982), IAS District Commissioner, East Singhbhum Jharkhand, India

A Star has been working.. shining on earth for some years now, Dr Mridula. Today, I got the gift of see her work. I see a great future for the world. Thank you, Baba for bringing me here.
Ann of Bo Sweden

I have no desire to leave the campus. Can you (the Principal) admit me to your school? I would like to start relearning all my maths. I am zealous of the excellent work done by you all. HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS.
BK Sinha Ex-Principal, Netarhat Residential School, Netarhat Jharkhand

Really impressive. The activities designed by the Principal, teachers, and organizers will go a long way for the development of the child. The school is doing something that one has not done (paid much attention) so far. I wish every success in their endeavors.
KN Vasudevan Ex Principal, Netarhat Residential School Netarhat, Jharkhand, India

Our children carry enormous capacity for creativity. This we can only develop through this kind of education system. This experiment and endeavor on creative learning needs to be appreciated.
Dr Ramchandra Purbey Minister of Education, Government of Bihar Patna, Bihar, India

If the learning is facilitated through thoughtful process - what emerges is an example of `School of Creative Learning'. Here every activity is planned with Specific thought. There is a commendable effort to integrate and balance the folk traditions, culture, science, arts, and modernity. This can not be achieved without hard work of the team.
Vijaya Chouhan Programme Officer, UNICEF Mumbai

I would never have imagined that such a beautiful and magical school existed in the world. Thank you so much for receiving us. I hope I will be able to come again, soon! All the best, much love and regard.
Steina Mag Iceland

Indeed, a very innovative school. I saw such an approach for the first time. Many things to learn, even for teacher and people interested in education. Wish such innovative approaches are copied/developed at many more places.
AK Singh Director, Deptt of Education, Govt of India New Delhi, India

River Ganges of knowledge is flowing here. Excellent attempt to provide burden-less and enjoyable education to small children, while keeping them close to nature. Eye-opener for parents also! Thanks to everyone.
Krishna Mohan Prasad (NOBA 1972 - 1979) IRS, Joint Income Tax Commissioner, Mumbai Mumbai, India

This school is making a very good attempt to teach children something very useful for there life using a non traditional technique. I desire that this attempt should reach all the schools.
Madan Mohan Jha (NOBA 1958 - 1964) Joint Secretary, Dept of Education, Govt of India New Delhi, India

Imagine a school where all children have to do to is to play games, put up plays, and make field trips to botanical gardens and museums! Sounds too good to be true? Mridula Prakash's Creative School of Learning with its alternate method of teaching is making this dream come true for children.
Aradhana Sinha Women Mantra (June 15, 2000) India

Thank you for exposing me to a wonderful world of creativity, thinking, concentration etc. being taught to children. Hope such methods become available to more and more children all over the world.
Nand Kumar, IAS Assistant Programme Officer, UNICEF Mumbai, India

I visited the school and saw the children's creativity in generating ideas in use of waste materials. Their creativity was wonderful. A wonderful educational enterprise! Congratulations.
Dr Amarendra Narayan Department of Physics, Patna University Patna, Bihar, India

Very impressed with the innovative and new techniques for encouraging creativity amongst young children. Also the emphasis on detecting any disability at a young age and addressing it. Moreover, the school recognises that different children will have different talents and interests and how important is to recognise this and develop the child's faculties accordingly. Overall,
Rajit Punhani, IAS Secretary, Social Welfare, Government of Bihar Patna, Bihar, India

I can simply say that the school is something different.
Shamshad Hussain Vice Chancellor, Nalanda Open University and noted Psychologist Patna, Bihar, India

Wonderful and constructive experiment on education. It may be the lifeline of such system.
Dr Shardendu (NOBA 1969 - 1976) Botany Deptt, BN College, Patna University Patna, Bihar, India

"Entertaining education" is successful education of life. Education and learning should not be a burden, but something that can be grasped easily. "Creative Learning" is successful, if children learn and grow while playing and enjoying.
Jaiprakash Narayan Yadav Minister of Education, Government of Bihar Patna, Bihar, India

I visited Creative School of Learning first time in Danapur Patna, India. I am favorably impressed by the works done at this school. This school has potential to develop as a university, an institute of higher learning.
Dr Jai N Singh Professor of Mathematics & Assistant Chairman Deptt of Mathematics and Computer Science, Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida, USA

School of Creative Learning' is full of potential for giving a new direction to teaching/learning situation in India. The Principal and all others associated with this school are doing admirable work and are putting in great vigor, imagination and efforts. They need support of all enlightened people. I wish them all the best.
BN Choudhary Ex Teacher, Netarhat School & Education Officer (Retired) Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, New Delhi New Delhi, India

An innovative concept indeed. The future of possibilities is indeed in the warm and exploring hands of our children.
SN Sinha, IAS (Retd) & noted Poet

A great and commendable service to the cause of children. Deserves appreciation and everyone's support who believes in education for life.
SV Sharan, IAS (Retd)

Unique and innovative experiment towards all round development of a child especially by creating an environment for bringing forth the latent and hidden talents of children.
SK Negi, IAS Secretary, Department of Secondary, Primary & Adult Education, Govt of Bihar Patna, Bihar, India

A very innovative experiment in the crowd of schools.
Hindusthan (January 7th, 1999) Patna, Bihar, India

This experiment of learning through creativity is worth praising. If education is perceived as an entertainment and not burden, child develops dedication to school and not hatred. This makes it easy for the educator to inculcate human values in children.
Trinath Mishra (NOBA 1954 - 1960) Director General, Central Industrial Security Force (July 2000 - December 2002) New Delhi

Founding Principal, School of Creative Learning

Dr. Mridula Prakash is a distinguished educationist and the founding Principal of the School of Creative Learning in Patna. With a deep commitment to child-centric education, she left her role as a senior DAV School principal to co-establish an institution dedicated to nurturing creativity and holistic development in children. Under her visionary leadership, the School of Creative Learning has become a model of inclusive and joyful education, empowering learners across social and academic spectrums. Dr. Prakash has played a pivotal role in implementing progressive educational methods and mentoring generations of students and teachers alike.

President, Association for Promotion of Creative Learning

Vijoy Prakash is a retired Indian Administrative Service officer and the founding Executive President and current President of the Association for Promotion of Creative Learning (APCL). A thought leader in creative education, he is the author of Creative Learning – A Handbook for Teachers and Trainers, released by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He has developed several innovative teaching-learning materials and is the proponent of Creativism, an educational philosophy that places creativity at the heart of human happiness and development. His lifelong dedication to transforming education for the underprivileged has made APCL and the School of Creative Learning widely respected as pioneering institutions in alternative and inclusive education.

Every Child is a Creator. Every Moment is a Learning Moment.

Empowering under-resourced communities through joyful, inclusive, creativity-based learning for over 25 years.

School of Creative Learning

Ritu Sinha Knowledge Centre for Creative Learning

Kanka Gajendra Centre for Inclusive Learning

Chandra Institute for Creative Empowerment of Women

Creative Learning - A Handbook for Teachers and Trainers

Empowering Minds - 25 Years of Creative Learning

“Jugaad se Aavishkaar” – Best from the Waste initiatives

Alphagram – Unique Alphabet Generators developed at Creative Learning

Latest News

Unicef

United States Department of State

ActionAid India

Oxfam

Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Allied Trusts

Sulabh International

CARE India

Save the Children

National Rural Health Mission

Ritu Sinha Charitable Foundation

The Kanka-Gajendra Foundation

Netarhat Old Boys Association

World Vision India

Government of Bihar

Aide et Action

Niti Aayog

Testimonials

The Visionaries Behind the Creative Revolution

Meet the founders whose unwavering belief in joyful, inclusive education transformed thousands of young lives

Dr Mridula Prakash

Vijoy Prakash

Creative Learning for an Inclusive Future

Empowering every child to thrive through creativity, dignity, and joyful education