#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.
Bolo English Team, NISA leadership, S2M Team
Ghanshyam Sharma, Research Lead, CCS
Thomas Anthony, CEO, NISA
By a local street theatre group
By a local street theatre group
By Amit Chandra, CEO, CCS
Manasa Pidatala, Project Lead, Bolo English Project, CCS
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
Mr. Gurcharan Das
Patron- Bolo English, Author and Former MD-Procter and Gamble Global
Dr. Parth J. Shah
Co-Founder, Indian School of Public Policy
A panel discussion
Moderator: Madhusudan Sadula, President, TRSMA
Kulbhushan Sharma, President, NISA
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, 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, 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 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.