BENGALURU: Divit Garg, a Class 12 student at Inventure Academy, Bengaluru, has developed The Unboxed School, a portable classroom and playscape designed to provide children of migrant construction workers with access to a dedicated learning environment.
The initiative seeks to address a persistent challenge faced by children whose families relocate frequently in search of construction work. Changes in residence, difficulties securing school admissions midway through the academic year and language barriers can interrupt their education.
The first unit, located within a residential development on Sarjapur–Attibele Road, is nearing completion. Designed using a standard 40-by-8-foot shipping container, the classroom can accommodate 20 to 25 children. The facility includes a small washroom and a storage area that can also function as an additional classroom. Its portable design allows the structure to be transported to another construction site if families relocate.
The project has an estimated cost of under ₹10 lakh. To address Bengaluru’s heat, the design incorporates heat-reflective paint and passive turbine vents that operate without electricity, reducing reliance on expensive insulation. The container will be installed on a 420-square-foot concrete platform and can be transported by truck at an estimated cost of ₹30,000.
Divit conceived the initiative after teaching Economics in government schools and visiting construction worker settlements. He observed that children in these colonies often lack safe spaces for learning and play, while the temporary nature of their families’ accommodation makes access to consistent schooling difficult.
“The colonies are incredibly dusty, noisy and cramped,” said Divit.
The classroom is intended to provide a local learning space within construction worker colonies. Teaching support could be provided by educators from nearby government schools after hours or by volunteer organisations. The structure will require periodic maintenance, including checks for leaks, rot and rust.
Divit’s interest in educational infrastructure and sustainable public spaces began in Class 9, when he received an Honorable Mention at a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign playscape competition for a design intended for a government school. He subsequently delivered a TEDx talk on sustainable public spaces for young people and interned at Anthill Creations, gaining practical experience in the fabrication of low-cost playgrounds using recycled materials.
Through The Unboxed School, Divit aims to explore how adaptable infrastructure can help children of migrant workers access learning opportunities despite frequent relocations. He plans to pursue higher studies in Economics and Urban Planning in the United States, with a long-term interest in sustainable real estate development.
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