Bolo English Awards 2024: Celebrating Educational Excellence

#beExcellenceAwards2024

The Centre for Civil Society has been running project Bolo English to promote the knowledge of the English language and speaking ability among students enrolled in low-cost private schools in India as this unfolds economic opportunities and accelerates social mobility. In the first 3 years (2020-2023) of the project that was affected by the Covid19, we promoted self-learning among students through mobile applications. This year (2023-24), we have trained more than 5,000 teachers from low-cost private schools to build the English language capacity, likely to improve the English-speaking ability of approximately 2.5 Lakh students.

The "Bolo English Awards 2024" is a momentous event hosted by the Centre for Civil Society (CCS) to honour the outstanding achievements of teachers and schools in improving the quality of education in Budget Private Schools (BPS) through the Bolo English teacher training project. Taking place in New Delhi on March 18, 2024, this event is set to bring together a diverse group of teachers, school leaders, influencers, and thought leaders from across the country.


Objectives

  • Celebrate the success of high-performing teachers and schools.
  • Showcase the project and its impact to stakeholders.
  • Build salience for the project.
  • Continue utilising gained competency and knowledge to achieve greater goals.


Event Details

Date: March 18th, 2024 | Time: 9: 30 AM - 6:00 PM | Venue: Silver Oak, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi


Participants

This event will be attended by over 175 teachers, school leaders, association leaders, influencers, intellectuals, thought leaders, and partners from across the country.


Outline

The program begins with a roundtable discussion with state-level school leaders as well as partners from the current phase. After this detailed stock-taking and recording the feedback and learning, the afternoon session begins with a welcome address, a snapshot of the Bolo English Project, a keynote speech, and a panel discussion exploring the role of the teachers as catalysts for the English skills development of students. The event concludes with the awards ceremony.


Agenda

Time
Particulars
09:30
Registration and Tea
10:30
Open discussion with state leaders on Bolo English Project
Bolo English Team, NISA leadership, S2M Team
11:30
CCS Research Focus: Identify the bottleneck for India’s Private Schools
Ghanshyam Sharma, Research Lead, CCS
12:30
NISA-NAAT Launch
Thomas Anthony, CEO, NISA
12:45
Skit Performance on BPS Teachers and English Language
By a local street theatre group
13:00
Lunch
13:45
Skit Performance on BPS Teachers and English Language
By a local street theatre group
14:00
Welcome Address
By Amit Chandra, CEO, CCS
14:15
Bolo English Project: A Snapshot
Manasa Pidatala, Project Lead, Bolo English Project, CCS
14:30
BPS Teachers: Making the Indian Gurus Skillful
A Panel Discussion to understand the schools' and teachers' views on the identification of the minimum necessary skills, explore the possibilities of necessary and common skills required and how to upskill.
Moderator: Nitesh Anand, Fellow- Policy Outreach, CCS
15:15
Keynote Speech
Mr. Gurcharan Das
Patron- Bolo English, Author and Former MD-Procter and Gamble Global
15:45
Video Messages from Bolo English Supporters (P&G and RTF)
15:50
Special Address
Dr. Parth J. Shah
Co-Founder, Indian School of Public Policy
16:00
Bolo English Awards: Round 1: Honoring schools
16:30
Teachers as the Catalyst in the Classroom for English Skills Improvement
A panel discussion
Moderator: Madhusudan Sadula, President, TRSMA
17:00
Bolo English Awards: Teachers Award
17:45
Congratulatory Message and Vote of Thanks
Kulbhushan Sharma, President, NISA
17:50
Closure


About Bolo English

CCS’s Project Bolo English began in July 2020 and is now in its fourth consecutive year of implementation. Through this program, we equip the teachers and students of Budget Private Schools (BPS) with Reading and Spoken English skills. In 2023-24, 9k+ teachers were trained under the Bolo English Project. CCS partnered with Stones2Milestones(S2M), an EdTech company with a 14-year track record in enhancing teacher capacity building. Project Bolo English is supported by Procter and Gamble Shiksha Initiative, and The Rising Tide Foundation (Switzerland). Dr. Gurcharan Das (Author and Former MD Procter and Gamble Global), is the mentor of this project.


About CCS

Centre for Civil Society (CCS) is a public policy think tank located in New Delhi. CCS is formed with a mission of advancing social change through public policy. Our work in education, livelihood, governance and policy training promotes choice and accountability across private and public sectors. To translate policy into practice, we engage with policy and opinion leaders through research, projects and policy training. We envision a world where every institution is accountable and each individual leads a life of choice in personal, economic and political spheres.


Speaker’s Profiles

Ghanshyam Sharma

Ghanshyam Sharma, Fellow-Research, Centre for Civil Society is an economist and the lead of the research team at the Centre for Civil Society. He has a PhD in Economics from Clemson University. He has previously taught at the State University of New York, Oswego, Seton Hall University, and Hiram College. He has been an Adam Smith Fellow at Mercatus Center, George Mason University and Koch Summer Fellow at the University of New Orleans. He has been a Consultant at the Planning Commission of India and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).

Thomas Anthony

Thomas Anthony, CEO, NISA is a social development professional with expertise in policy solutions to some of the most pressing issues of the time such as school education, urban livelihoods, and governance. Thomas is presently working with National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA) as a CEO leading the National Independent Schools Alliance. He is playing a crucial role in developing, strengthening, and scaling up the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA), the national federation of associations of low-cost private schools. He also worked with NCPCR- National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in the Right to Education Division from 2011 to 2013. During this period, he was monitoring the implementation of the Right to Education Act 2009 in 60 Government schools in East Delhi. He contributed to developing the Social Audit Tools for RTE Act 2009 monitoring through School Management Committees and Civil Society. Thomas Antony has vast work experience with organizations like Center for Civil Society, JOSH- Joint Operation for Social Help, Aajeevika Bureau, Kotra Adivasi Sangathan, Mazdoor Kisan Sakthi Sangathan, Right to Information Movement, Evidence- Human Rights Organization. Thomas Antony is a graduate in Sociology and a postgraduate in Social Work. He is also an Advocacy Fellow of the National Centre for Advocacy Studies, Pune Maharastra, completing the 18 Months advocacy strategy course and working with National Level Social Movements such as Mazdoor Kisan Sakti Sangatan, NCPRI National Campaign for People's Right to Information, National Right to Education Forum, Center for Civil Society, JOSH- Joint Operation for Social Help, Aajeevika Bureau, Kotra Adivasi Sangathan, Evidence- Human Rights Organization. He has also attended 14 days workshop on Education in Crisis – Global Perspective and solutions by the International Academy of Leadership, Germany. He has been a participant in the ‘International Youth Exchange Program’ between India and Bangladesh in the year 2012.

Dr Amit Chandra, CEO, CCS is a passionate promoter of liberal values with an interest in improving governance in the area of school education and livelihoods. He is a social development professional with experience in research, advocacy and outreach. His work has played an important role in designing the following public policies discourse in India: National Urban Street Vending Act 2014, amendments to India Forest Act 1927, amendments to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act 2006, and initiatives taken under Ease of Doing Business campaign by Government of India. His work and views have been widely quoted in media and academic publications. He mentors/advises several for-profit and not-for-profit organisations and is also a member of a few committees set up by the state governments. Previously, Amit has worked with The Asia Foundation (TAF) in Kabul and Central Square Foundation in Delhi.

Manasa Pidatala

Manasa Pidatala, Project Lead, Bolo English Project, CCS has done her B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Bapatla Engineering College, Bapatla. She worked at Tata Consultancy Services as a developer and then as the coordinator of Initial Learning Programme, the training programme of TCS. She appeared for UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination 4 times. She has been trained in Carnatic Classical Music and she is interested in coin collection.

Nitesh Anand

Nitesh Anand is a Fellow- Policy Outreach at the Centre for Civil Society in India, a public policy think tank focused on promoting individual choice and institutional accountability. His journey includes a Master's in Politics and Technology from Technical University Munich, as a Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung Scholar. Notably, Nitesh was awarded the Liberal Ambassador certification, where he was thoroughly trained in political facilitation, enhancing his skills in designing and delivering dialogue and engagement with different stakeholder groups. Nitesh, an India Fellow, has been contributing to meaningful policy development and outreach in countries like India, Germany, Cambodia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. Nitesh is passionate about human-centered design and legal design approaches for creating participatory platforms for policy design and discourse.

Nikhil Saraf, Co-Founder and CEO, Stones2Milestones Group a visionary social entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO of StonesMilestones Group, is dedicated to fostering equitable futures for children through education initiatives. With his leadership, the group impacts over 1 million children and 7,500+ schools globally, incorporating innovative programs like Amrit Vidyalaya and a pioneering reading initiative recognized by CBSE. A Stanford-educated scholar with accolades including Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, Nikhil also enriches the educational landscape as a guest faculty at IIM Calcutta and nurtures his passions in Capoeira, flute playing, and theater.

Mr. Gurcharan Das, Patron- Bolo English, Author and Former MD-Procter and Gamble Global noted author, commentator, and public intellectual. A luminary in his own right, Mr Das stands as a best-selling author and former CEO of Procter & Gamble India. His incisive commentaries grace the pages of major national and international publications, often delving into critical analyses of India & education system, educational reform, and policies. A staunch advocate of classical liberalism in India, Mr. Gurcharan Das continues to wield his influence and insights to propel the liberal discourse forward. Mr. Gurcharan Das, is also the mentor of this Bolo English project. His mentorship and guidance have been the north star for conceptualising and advancing this impactful journey. Under Mr. Das's guidance, "Bolo English" has transformed from a mere idea into a vibrant program that empowers students and educators alike to embrace the beauty of spoken English with confidence and joy. His wisdom and foresight have paved the way for innovative teaching methodologies, making learning more accessible and engaging for all.

Dr. Parth J Shah, Co-Founder & Dean; ISPP, Founder President at Centre for Civil Society is the Founder and President of the Centre for Civil Society and Co-Founder of ISPP, whose research and advocacy work centres on the themes of economic freedom (law, liberty and livelihood campaign), choice and competition in education (fund students, not schools), property right approach for the environment (terracotta vision of stewardship), and good governance (new public management and the duty to publish). He has conceptualised and organised liberal educational programs for the Indian youth, including Liberty & Society Seminars, the Jeevika Livelihood Documentary Competition, and the Researching Reality Internship Program. He is also on the editorial board of EducationWorld, Vishleshan, and Khoj and is an informal advisor to many non-profits, including being the youngest Indian member of the Mont Pelerin Society.

Mr. Tulasi Prasad, President, Sri Rama Rural Academy is the President and the third generation school leader of Sri Rama Rural Academy, one of the first residential schools in AP and Telangana established in 1949. He is the Vice President - Quality of NISA and the General Secretary of APPUSMA. Besides leading the school, he is involved in educational associations and organizations and passionate about education reform. He's traveled to Finland, Singapore, and many other countries and use the valuable insights initiatives on improving the quality of education learnings in the private budget schools in Andhra Pradesh.

And, his commitment to collaboration with educators is driven by his belief in making a significant impact on education and fostering the development of well-rounded citizens for the future.

Kulbhushan Sharma, President, NISA is President of the National Independent Schools Association (NISA), a national federation of state associations of budget private schools in India. He is also president of the Federation of Private Schools Associations, Haryana. He is also Haryana state president of the Patriotic Forum of India and state working president of the National Human Rights Protection Organisation. Previously, he was a general council member of the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and the Haryana School Education Rules Review Committee.


A panel discussion

Teachers as the Catalyst in the Classroom
for English Skills Improvement

Mr. Madhusudhan Sadula, President, TRSMA an eminent figure in education with over 35 years of experience, has significantly influenced Hyderabad's educational landscape and beyond. As the founder of Pragati Vidyaniketan Group, he has enriched the lives of over 3000 students and provided jobs for 200 teachers. Recognized nationally and internationally, his leadership in school associations and as TRSMA President has spearheaded initiatives for quality improvement, policy influence, and technology integration in education, marking him a pivotal figure in advancing educational standards.

Ghanshyam Sharma

Rakesh Sharma, Gandhi Memorial High School, Haryana

Qualified B.Tech, MBA, LLB. He's been in Training and Education for the last 30+ years. And had worked with organisations like Aptech, NIIT and Manipal University in various capacities. Currently, he's on the board of Ramanujan College of Management and Education and managing Ramanujan School Palwal (affiliated to CBSE) as a consultant and Gandhi Memorial High School (oldest budget school of Faridabad established in 1973).

Pushpa Kumaya, Principal of Akhshar Dham Academy, Rajasthan, with an M.A. in English, has served as the dedicated Principal of Akhshar Dham Academy, Rajasthan, for four years. Her leadership has been pivotal in steering the academy's vision and educational excellence, embodying a commitment to nurturing minds with a profound passion for learning.

Tarun Pandey, Math Teacher, Great Mission Public School, Uttarakhand, an M.Sc. (Math) and B.Ed. holder, has been contributing as a Math teacher at Great Mission Public School, Uttarakhand, for a year. His expertise and dedication to teaching have greatly benefited the students, making him a valuable asset to the school's academic team.

Inderpreet Kaur, English Teacher, Guru Nanak Modern School, holding an M.A. in Economics and a B.Ed., has dedicated four years as an English teacher at Guru Nanak Modern School. Her unique educational background enriches her teaching, making a significant impact on her students and contributing to the school's dynamic learning environment.