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Promoting Quality Education through Culture of Peace and Safe Learning Environments

The primary goal of this project, funded by the HCL Foundation, is to foster a culture of peace and a safe learning environment across 60 government-run schools in the districts of Budgam (UT of J&K) and Leh (UT of Ladakh). Spanning from March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2025, this initiative aims to instill a culture of peace and harmony in educational institutions by engaging children and teachers actively.

The key objectives are to have all 60 state-run schools adopting and demonstrating a culture of peace and harmony by 2025, to enhance community engagement in promoting peace and harmony at both the school and community levels, and to strengthen the promotion of peace education across the UTs of J&K and Ladakh in collaboration with state and UT governments. The project is designed to reach directly 4,488 beneficiaries, including school-going children, teachers, School Management Committees (SMCs), and government officials. To date, the project has successfully reached 10,242 beneficiaries, exceeding the initial target.

Significant achievements include the establishment of peace education practices in over 300 government-run schools in Kashmir, which has led to improved school safety, reduced absenteeism, and greater community involvement. The project has also facilitated increased enrollment and positively shifted teacher attitudes toward students.

Future plans for the project include conducting school safety audits across J&K and Ladakh, advocating for Child Protection Policies (CPP) in schools, and promoting the mainstreaming of peace education in state teacher training curricula. The project will also focus on linking children with ICPS (Mission Vatsalya) schemes and cascading training on developed Modules and SOPs for various stakeholders. Enhanced interdepartmental coordination will be pursued to provide children with access to different schemes and sports platforms.

Strategic Breakthroughs and Innovations

In the reporting period for 2023-24, this project has achieved substantial progress in promoting quality education through the establishment of a culture of peace and safe learning environments. The following highlights key strategic breakthroughs and innovations.

The National Level Conference on Peace Education, organized in collaboration with the Department of Social Work at the University of Kashmir and the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, marked a significant milestone. Held over two days, the conference was designed to align with the G20 Presidency and the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) by integrating Peace Education into the school education system. This event was instrumental in launching the Comprehensive School Safety (CSS) Module, which serves as a critical framework for promoting safety and peace in schools.

The conference attracted over 1,000 participants, including scholars, educationists, and child rights experts from both national and state-level organizations. The successful launch of the CSS Module was a key outcome, alongside the engagement of crucial stakeholders such as the Education Department, JKBOSE, SCERT, and leading private schools. The conference provided a collaborative platform for discussing the challenges and solutions related to peace education. This initiative led to the implementation of Peace Education in over 300 government-run schools in Kashmir, resulting in improved school safety, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced community involvement. The increased enrollment and positive shift in teacher attitudes towards students further underscore the success of this strategic intervention.

The formation of a District-Level Steering Committee on Peace Education, School Safety, and Child Safeguarding Policy in Leh-Ladakh represents another significant breakthrough. Established under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Directorate of School Education Ladakh and Bal Raksha Bharat, this committee comprises educationists, scholars, and officials from various departments. Its purpose is to address issues related to child safety and security.

The committee facilitated the training of over 450 teachers, 500 School Management Committee (SMC) members, and 800 children in positive discipline, school safety, and peace education. These tailored training programs have enhanced the understanding and implementation of child safeguarding policies and positive discipline among stakeholders, leading to improved safety and security measures in schools.

The development and dissemination of IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials on school safety, security, child safeguarding, and peace education also stand out as notable innovations. The project involved designing and printing informative posters covering critical topics such as flood, fire, earthquake safety, and child protection. The formal launch of these materials in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education Leh has facilitated effective dissemination of essential safety and education information to schools, thereby enhancing awareness and preparedness.

In collaboration with the Directorate of School Education Kashmir and Ladakh, the development of Modules and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Peace Education for mid-level managers, community members, and children groups was another strategic advancement. The finalized and printed Modules and SOPs, accompanied by advocacy and stakeholder meetings, aim to further institutionalize peace education within the educational framework.
The Sports for Change (SFC) initiative, a flagship program from HCL Foundation, represents a significant effort to promote sports and inclusive participation among marginalized communities. The SFC event involved organizing zonal, district, UT, and national-level championships. More than 70 qualifiers from intervention districts were selected to participate in national events. This initiative not only promotes sports as a means to achieve broader development goals but also empowers young leaders from disadvantaged communities, fostering their talents and leadership skills.

Stakeholder engagement has been crucial in enhancing child protection mechanisms. Joint monitoring visits and formal meetings were conducted to improve coordination between various departments. Formal collaboration orders were issued for school safety and child safeguarding assessments, and school safety plans were submitted to relevant education officers. This collaborative approach has led to improved safety assessments and actionable plans for enhancing child protection in schools.

Finally, the upgradation and beautification of intervention schools in Leh involved a thorough assessment of school requirements, followed by the distribution of new furniture and materials. The provision of 240 chairs and moon tables to pre-primary and primary classes has enriched the learning environment and increased student engagement in these schools.

Overall, the HCL Funded Project has demonstrated significant advancements in promoting quality education through peace education and safe learning environments. The strategic initiatives, including the National Level Conference, district-level steering committees, and Sports for Change events, have effectively addressed the needs of marginalized children in J&K and Ladakh. Through innovative approaches, collaborative efforts, and robust stakeholder engagement, the project has achieved notable success, aligning with the brand objectives and fostering a positive impact on the educational landscape in the region.