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GlobalGiving Project Report

Project Title

Strengthening Foundational English Learning in Government Schools

Reporting Period

April – June 2026 (Quarter 1, FY 2026–27)

Executive Summary

The first quarter of FY 2026-27 focused on strengthening the foundations for quality learning by preparing teachers, engaging families and communities, and creating more engaging and future-ready learning environments across government schools.

During the reporting period, the programme reached 5,799 students across 87 government schools and strengthened teacher capacity through an intensive Summer Training Programme. 83 teachers participated in the professional development programme, with 45% of teachers demonstrating Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: B1 proficiency or above, compared with 31% in the previous assessment cycle. This progress reflects a growing pool of teachers equipped with stronger English language proficiency and classroom practices to support student learning.

The programme also strengthened the wider education ecosystem by mobilising 3,000+ community stakeholders through school enrolment campaigns covering 145 km, while engaging 260 families through parent–teacher interactions. These efforts reinforced community ownership, strengthened trust in government schools, and encouraged greater parental participation in children's education.

Beyond academic learning, the quarter introduced experiential and future-oriented learning opportunities, including environmental education through Green Monopoly and age-appropriate exposure to Artificial Intelligence through the AI Buddy Handbook. A new partnership with The Satsang Foundation will further expand environmental, life-skills, and value-based learning in the coming quarter.

Overall, the quarter established a strong foundation for the year ahead by bringing together teacher development, student engagement, family participation, and community mobilisation strengthening the ecosystem required for children to learn, grow, and thrive.

Programme Highlights

• Strengthening Teacher Capacity: Teacher quality remains one of the strongest predictors of student learning outcomes. To prepare teachers for the new academic year, OBLF conducted an intensive Summer Training Programme focused on improving both English language proficiency and classroom practice.The training covered grammar, spoken English, lesson planning, classroom management, reading strategies, the 5E instructional model, learner-centred pedagogy, and digital teaching tools including Google Workspace. Teachers also participated in practical classroom simulations and collaborative learning sessions to improve student engagement. As part of the programme, teachers completed assessments aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The assessments established individual proficiency levels and will guide personalised mentoring throughout the academic year. A key milestone this quarter was the improvement in teachers' English proficiency, with 45% of teachers now demonstrating CEFR B1 proficiency or higher, compared to 31% during the previous academic year. This reflects steady progress towards building confident teachers who can create more engaging English learning environments for children.

• Mobilising Communities for School Enrolment: Quality education requires active participation from the wider community. Before the start of the academic year, OBLF organised large-scale enrolment drives across programme villages to encourage every eligible child to enrol and return to school. The campaign brought together over 3,000 stakeholders, including teachers, parents, students, Panchayat representatives, school leaders, Block Education Officers, district officials, and community volunteers. Together, participants walked 145 kilometres, conducting awareness rallies and engaging directly with families to reinforce the importance of education. Beyond increasing visibility, these campaigns strengthened relationships between schools and communities and reinforced the message that every child deserves a place in school.

• Strengthening Parent Engagement: Parents play a critical role in sustaining children's learning. During the quarter, OBLF organised a Mega Parent -Teacher Meeting attended by 260 families across programme schools. Parents observed live classroom demonstrations where children confidently communicated in English, participated in interactive activities, answered questions, and showcased their learning. For many families, this was the first opportunity to witness the transformation in their children's confidence and communication skills. The event helped strengthen trust in government schools while encouraging parents to become active partners in their children's educational journey. Increased parental engagement is expected to contribute positively to student attendance, motivation, and continued learning support at home.

• Expanding Learning Beyond the Classroom: To complement classroom instruction, the programme introduced innovative experiential learning activities designed to stimulate curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Children participated in Green Monopoly, an activity-based learning experience that introduced concepts of environmental sustainability through play. Students also explored the AI Buddy Handbook, providing age-appropriate exposure to Artificial Intelligence and encouraging curiosity about emerging technologies. The quarter also marked the beginning of a strategic partnership with The Satsang Foundation, which will support environmental education, life skills, and value-based learning through experiential classroom activities beginning in the next quarter.

Key Results

During the reporting period, the programme achieved the following:

• 87 government schools supported.
• 5,799 students reached.
• 83 teachers trained through the Summer Training Programme.
• 87 hours of teacher professional development delivered.
• 45% of teachers achieved CEFR B1 proficiency or above.
• 3,000+ community members participated in enrolment campaigns.
• 145 kilometres covered during community awareness rallies.
• 260 families engaged through the Mega Parent–Teacher Meeting.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

• The quarter reaffirmed that preparing teachers before the academic year begins significantly improves classroom readiness. However, teacher proficiency levels varied considerably, requiring differentiated mentoring rather than standardised training.
• The programme also observed that sustaining meaningful parental engagement requires continuous interaction beyond one-time events. Similarly, community participation is strongest when schools, local government representatives, and families work together toward a shared goal.
• These learnings will inform programme implementation throughout the remainder of the academic year by placing greater emphasis on ongoing coaching, classroom observations, and sustained family engagement.

Looking Ahead

During the next reporting period, OBLF will:

• Provide continuous classroom mentoring and coaching for teachers based on CEFR assessment results.
• Conduct regular classroom observations to strengthen teaching quality.
• Expand parent engagement initiatives to improve attendance and home-based learning support.
• Roll out environmental education and experiential learning activities in partnership with The Satsang Foundation.
• Continue introducing innovative learning experiences that foster creativity, digital literacy, and critical thinking among students.

Thank You

Your support is helping transform government schools into vibrant learning spaces where teachers are better equipped, parents are more engaged, communities actively support education, and children gain the confidence and skills needed for lifelong learning.

Every contribution strengthens not only classrooms but also the ecosystem surrounding each child. Together, we are building stronger foundations for educational success and creating opportunities that will shape brighter futures for thousands of children.

Thank you for being an integral part of this journey.