Nongpoh, Meghalaya: Bharti Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises, today organised a vision setting and orientation session to inaugurate its Satya Bharti Quality Support Progamme, to help improve the schooling experience in 30 government-aided schools in Ri-Bhoi district, for a period of three to five years.
Smti Mary Lynrah, the State Pedagogy Coordinator, SSA – SEMAM graced the inaugural ceremony as Chief Guest, during which she highlighted the importance of a close collaboration between the government and social development organisations such as Bharti Foundation, in the effort to provide quality education for all.
Smti Lynrah said, “The partnership with Bharti Foundation has provided us with an opportunity to reach out to the potential beneficiaries. We believe that the Foundation’s long-term presence in the rural areas and their ability to empower children to bring about the desired change in the society will help us in raising the Performance Grading Index (PGI) rating in the district and the state; and also in achieving the desired awareness level for the scheme across the country.”
The Satya Bharti Quality Support Progamme is the foundation’s flagship program initiated in 2006; with the aim to improve the over-all schooling experience in Government-aided schools in partnership with the State Governments, with a special focus on the girl child. The programme supports children, teachers, parents and administrators to transform schools into vibrant and integrated institutions of learning and ensuring holistic development by bringing in co- scholastic interventions.
The core-philosophy of the Program is that if schools become an engaging and happy spaces, it would result in holistic development of students as they acquire leadership, communication, collaboration, and other 21st Century skills along with learning. Broad intervention areas are
1. Students’ empowerment: Creation of student clubs and leadership groups to create opportunities for holistic growth; building aspirations & exposure by lecture series, participation in competitions etc.
2. Parents & community involvement: Encouraging structured parent-teacher interactions (PTMs) and involving community to support school by bringing in resources; SMC participation etc.
3. School leadership & teachers engagement: Creating a joint vision; encouraging them to believe in their ability to bring about a change; motivating teachers to innovate, be more involved with students and to institutionalize new processes in schools.
4. School environment: Supporting improvement in overall cleanliness, plantation, energizing labs/ libraries and colorful spaces for student’s creative work as well as child safety processes.
Dr. Vincent Nianglang, District Mission Coordinator (DMC), Ri-Bhoi district who was the Guest of Honour on the occasion, encouraged Bharti Foundation to help bring about positive change in the schools and their communities by saying, “Quality education is a critical enabler for children to develop their potential. We appreciate Bharti Foundation’s support in helping the students and teachers to realise their aspirations.”
Lt. Col. V P Singh, Regional Head of Bharti Foundation, elaborated on the key interventions which Bharti Foundation will deploy in the schools for obtaining meaningful and sustainable outcomes for students, parents, communities and the school leadership.
Ms Mamta Saikia, Chief Executive Officer, Bharti Foundation, “Over the years, our experience of working with Government Schools has been very energising. It is their collaboration and participation that has led to the success of this program. Through the partnership with education department of Meghalaya, we are happy to help improve the overall schooling experience in the partnered schools.”
Partnership between Bharti Foundation and Government of Meghalaya began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the 22nd of February, 2018. Under this partnership, select schools in East and West Jaintia Hills benefited from Bharti Foundation’s programme and expertise and now it is extended to the 30 schools in Ri-Bhoi.
