Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership Transforms the Education Ecosystem through its ‘School Excellence Program’ in Surat

Surat, July 16, 2018: Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership today celebrated the success of its ‘School Excellence Program’ that impacts over 2000 teachers, across over 258 schools in Surat and nearby villages. Launched in 2013, the School Excellence Program was introduced to address the need of improving student learning outcomes in Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) schools that were run by Nagar Prathmik Shikshan Samiti (NPSS). This event was held on the Graduation Day of the School Leadership Development Program (SLDP) in Surat, and was attended by Mr. Hasmukhlal Chatur Bhai Patel, Chairman, NPSS, Mr. Vimal Bhai Desai, Administrative Officer, NPSS, Ms. Nandita Raval, Director, Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership and Ms. Monal Jayaram, Director, Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership. Commenting on this milestone, Mr. Aditya Natraj, CEO, Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership says, “Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership believes in positively impacting the quality of education in public schools by empowering those who are closely associated with the education ecosystem. Over the years, we have undertaken several initiatives in the area of education leadership. We now have a team of inspiring Gandhi Fellows who have joined us in our earnest endeavor of improving India’s education system. Through such programmes, we strive to enhance student learning outcomes in schools across the country.” During the 4 years of this School Excellence Program, various training and fellowship initiatives were introduced to enhance the knowledge base of the teachers and headmasters, for imparting better education to students. For example, Teachers Instructional Practices and Processes System (TIPPS), one of the key initiatives undertaken by the Programme, recorded lesson deliveries by teachers for creating a peer learning environment through open feedback sessions. Tools such as ‘Building as Learning Aid’ (BaLA), were promoted in schools for a healthy learning environment. Libraries were set-up by the headmasters and teachers for inculcating reading habits which enriched the holistic learning and comprehension skills of students. Learning Centers were set-up for students for their lessons and homework after school, by engaging the community youth. In collaboration with NPSS, several initiatives were implemented to increase the enrollment in schools, through participation in events such as ‘Pravesh Utsav’, where the Gandhi Fellows, with the support of headmasters and teachers performed ‘Nukkad Nataks’ and organized rallies. Implementation of the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ campaign sensitized the community dwellers on the awareness of health, hygiene and cleanliness.