The new Middle School block at the Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, Kothibagh marks the next chapter in national public education reform
SRINAGAR (India CSR): The Faizal & Shabana Foundation (FSF), the philanthropic arm co-founded by entrepreneur and education reformer Faizal E. Kottikollon and Mrs. Shabana Faizal, inaugurated the newly constructed Middle School Building at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kothibagh, Srinagar in the august presence of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, who as the Chief Guest at the Inauguration, lauded the initiative as a milestone in advancing inclusive and equitable education in the region.
The event was attended by several key dignitaries from India and the UAE, including:
- R N Sharma, Principal Secretary, School Education Department, J&K
- Dr. Aman Puri, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs
- Amb Sunjay Sudhir, former IFS
- Maj. Gen. Sharafuddin Sharaf (Retd.), Vice-Chairman, UIBC–UC and Vice Chairman, Sharaf Group UAE
- Dr G N Itoo, Director General, School Education Kashmir
- Senior members of the bureaucracy
- UAE and national media
- Leadership of the UAE India Business Council – UAE Chapter
For Jammu & Kashmir, the project holds added significance as a step toward building the educational infrastructure, empowering the youth, and ensuring social inclusion. It reaffirms the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child, especially every girl child, has access to quality education in a safe, inspiring environment.
Lt. Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, extended his heartfelt appreciation to Faizal, Mrs. Shabana, and the Faizal & Shabana Foundation for their exemplary commitment to transforming public education in Jammu & Kashmir. This initiative reflects how visionary leadership, compassion, and collaboration can reshape the trajectory of government schooling. The project has not only revitalized the learning environment at Kothibagh but has also sparked new hope among students, teachers, and the wider community. It stands as a shining example of how design, innovation, and empathy can elevate education to global standards.
The project, under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model, marks the Foundation’s expansion of its celebrated Nadakkavu Model from Kerala to Jammu & Kashmir. The Nadakkavu Model is a movement in public education reform rooted in design, innovation, and empathy. The Nadakkavu transformation in Kozhikode, where a 120-year-old government school was reimagined under the PRISM (Promoting Regional Schools to International Standards through Multiple Interventions) framework, had earlier inspired over 977 schools across Kerala and led to a state-wide government scale-up. With the launch of the Kothibagh project, this proven model now reaches Jammu and Kashmir, successfully bridging regional aspirations with a unified national vision for quality public schooling.
Faizal E. Kottikollon, Founder & Chairman of KEF Holdings and Co-Founder of the Faizal & Shabana Foundation said, “Today is a historic milestone in our mission to reimagine public education in India. What began as a single initiative in Kerala’s Nadakkavu School has now grown into a nationwide movement, one that begins a new chapter here in Jammu & Kashmir. Our vision is simple: every child, irrespective of background, deserves access to world-class learning in an environment of dignity, design, and empathy. The success of government schools in Kerala proves that transformation is possible when purpose meets partnership. With the steadfast support of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and the people of Jammu & Kashmir, we are proud to take this journey forward and ensure that every child’s potential becomes India’s greatest strength.”
The newly developed DREAM School block is the result of Faizal Kottikollon’s 2023 visit to Srinagar as part of the UIBC-UC delegation, during which he committed to transforming the school. This commitment was made during the same landmark visit that also saw the groundbreaking ceremony for the Emaar Mall of Srinagar.
Kottikollon reaffirmed his vision to elevate public school education in the region through the Faizal & Shabana Foundation, with the kind support and guidance of Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir. The newly built Middle School block addresses both infrastructure and educator capability to ensure sustainable and measurable improvement in student performance and community confidence. It features modern state-of-the-art classrooms, advanced Robotics and STEM laboratories and sustainable infrastructure, providing students with an inspiring space to learn, grow, and excel.
As a part of the event, the UAE–India Business Council (UAE Chapter) launched its research paper titled “Bridging Horizons: UAE–India Partnership and the Future of Education-led Development.” The paper explores how bilateral collaboration through philanthropy, CSR, and knowledge exchange can enhance India’s education and skills ecosystem. It highlights the strategic role played by Shri Manoj Sinha and the J&K Government in supporting education-linked development and reinforces UIBC–UC’s mission of building inclusive, knowledge-based partnerships between the two nations.
The Faizal & Shabana Foundation has consistently advanced education reform through design-driven solutions and collaborative governance. Its projects are implemented in partnership with state governments, academic institutions, and local communities. Beyond infrastructure, FSF focuses on teacher training, digital literacy, and holistic development, empowering educators and students alike to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. The Kothibagh School project is an example of how education, when reimagined through empathy and excellence, can unite a nation as diverse as India, from Kerala’s coastlines to Kashmir’s valleys, under one shared dream – an equitable, world-class public education system for all.
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