Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has renewed its collaboration with the Pehlay Akshar Foundation (PAF) through a five-year extension of its flagship Teacher Training Programme.
The initiative, launched in 2019, has already transformed classroom learning in 814 BMC schools, training over 8,000 teachers and positively impacting more than 2.5 lakh students.
The extended partnership aims to scale the Pehlay Akshar Foundation’s model of teacher empowerment, equipping educators with Functional English, innovative pedagogy, and student-centric teaching practices. These efforts have been instrumental in turning classrooms into joyful, inclusive, and engaging spaces.
Also Read: Indus Towers CSR Initiatives Saksham and Pragati Empower 17.3 Million Lives in FY25
Addressing the gathering, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani emphasized, “If we nurture social skills through Functional English in the formative years, it opens the window to knowledge and the world. Pehlay Akshar is that beginning, helping students take the right step forward.”
Impact of Pehlay Akshar Foundation’s Teacher Training Programme
Independent assessments by Sattva and CSRBox confirm the programme’s effectiveness, with four out of five teachers recalling and applying core training concepts. Additionally, 85% of teachers actively use the Pehlay Akshar digital app 2–3 times a week. Teachers have reported notable improvements in student participation, collaboration, and confidence, with 86% observing greater teamwork among students.
Vision for the Next Five Years
Reflecting on the renewed agreement, Radha Goenka, Founder of Pehlay Akshar Foundation, said, “This partnership with BMC proves that systemic change is possible when public institutions and social innovators collaborate. The next five years are about building on this trust and creating a replicable model of teacher empowerment that can inspire public education across India.”
Also Read: Hyundai Motor India Foundation Invests INR 2.10 Cr in Drinking Water Facilities for Maval Schools
Teachers across Mumbai have echoed the programme’s benefits. Daisy J. Mendes, Headmistress of BMC School, Vile Parle, said, “The clear structure of Pehlay Akshar has transformed our classrooms into spaces where students are eager to participate and communicate in English with ease.”
Similarly, Deepa Yashwant Surve, a teacher at Worli Seaface Secondary English School, shared, “The Pehlay Akshar Teacher Training Programme changed the way I teach. Today, teaching feels fun, and even disinterested students now enjoy learning every subject.”
Founded in 2008, Pehlay Akshar Foundation equips children with Functional English and 21st-century skills, making them future-ready for education and employment opportunities. The Foundation collaborates with governments to enhance teacher preparedness and improve classroom engagement across India.
