Beyond the Chalkboards: Strengthening Education Across Chhattisgarh
In a primary classroom in Chhattisgarh, a teacher begins the day by asking students to share one thing they observed on their way to school. A child talks about the river near his home, another mentions helping in the fields. What begins as a simple conversation soon turns into learning that feels familiar rather than forced. The classroom feels alive, rooted in real experiences.
This everyday scene reflects what quality education truly looks like — responsive, inclusive, and meaningful. At the heart of such classrooms are well-prepared teachers who understand that education goes beyond textbooks. Investing in teacher education is essential to building learning spaces where students feel seen, supported, and encouraged to think. When teachers grow, classrooms grow — and with them, the future of education in Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh is a diverse state, home to communities with rich cultural and social contexts. Compared to more developed states such as Maharashtra, the public education system continues to navigate multiple challenges. Teaching quality plays a defining role in shaping student learning outcomes and forms the foundation of effective education systems.
Recognising this need, Sterlite EdIndia Foundation, an education foundation working in India, has been working consistently across multiple states to strengthen teaching practices and support educators. Through its Teacher Education Program, the EdIndia Foundation focuses on improving pedagogy, building institutional capacity, and walking alongside educators at every stage of their professional journey.
The programme is currently implemented across six states — Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Tripura, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh — addressing diverse educational contexts and responding to local needs. As an organisation working in education and supporting teachers in India, EdIndia Foundation collaborates with teacher education institutions to prepare confident, classroom-ready educators.
In Chhattisgarh, the Foundation works closely with Hasdev College of Education, Korba; Sandipani Academy, Durg; Columbia College of Education, Raipur.
Through sustained engagement, the Foundation supports both pre-service and in-service teachers in strengthening pedagogical foundations and professional confidence. Its teacher training programs in India are designed to translate theory into classroom practice through workshops, hands-on training, teaching competitions, and carefully curated teaching resources.
The pre-service teacher education component focuses on building classroom readiness before teachers enter schools, while in-service teachers are supported through continuous professional development. Teaching competitions encourage creativity and lesson design, while resources help teachers turn ideas into action. Learning, practising, and reflecting together empowers teachers to create engaging classrooms and stronger learning experiences.
All initiatives are aligned with government priorities and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. By emphasising experiential learning, learner-centric approaches, and system-level strengthening, the Foundation ensures that teacher education remains relevant, practical, and responsive.
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) is not just about reading words or solving sums — it is about helping children understand the world around them. Through its teacher development initiatives, the Foundation integrates FLN to ensure students move beyond memorisation toward understanding and exploration.
In one classroom, a teacher introduced the concept of energy and motion using a simple rubber ball. Instead of explaining the concept directly, she asked students to predict what would happen if the ball was pushed, thrown, or dropped. Students tested their ideas, observed patterns, recorded findings, and discussed cause and effect. Literacy, numeracy, and scientific thinking came together naturally through curiosity-driven learning.
One key intervention in Chhattisgarh has been the Inter-College Teaching Plan Competition. Designed to promote innovative teaching practices, the competition encouraged aspiring educators to create lesson plans aligned with NEP 2020 — focusing on activity-based learning, inclusion, engagement, and critical thinking. This helped pre-service teachers bridge the gap between policy and practice.
Another significant milestone was a one-day workshop on Creative Social and Life Skills Education (CSLE) at Columbia College. Led by Mrs. Neerupama Sharma, Chief Manager – Training, Sterlite EdIndia Foundation, the workshop introduced learner-centred tools through interactive sessions, demonstrations, and real classroom scenarios.
Question-making competitions further strengthened reflective teaching practices. Teachers-in-training explored how purposeful questioning can spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and guide learning rather than merely assess it.
Alongside teacher education, the Foundation’s Data Analytics Support Program plays a crucial role in strengthening education systems. By enabling data-driven decision making in education, the programme supports schools and institutions in understanding learning patterns, tracking progress, and improving outcomes.
Internship opportunities and exposure visits provided pre-service teachers with real classroom experience, helping them apply pedagogy, manage classrooms, and build confidence. These experiences eased the transition from training to professional teaching.
The impact of this work is reflected in the voices of teachers themselves.
“Growing up in a small town, I always dreamt of teaching but didn’t know how to make it real. EdIndia’s training sessions taught me lesson planning, technology use, and self-reflection. The mock tests helped me pass my teaching eligibility exams after years of struggle,”
shares Lukesh Kurre, a teacher from Chhattisgarh.
Read more about his journey here
Through sustained partnerships, thoughtful interventions, and a strong commitment to quality education, Sterlite EdIndia Foundation continues to strengthen the teacher education ecosystem in Chhattisgarh — creating impact that extends beyond classrooms and into communities shaped by inspired learning.
Tags – Sterlite EdIndia Foundation, EdIndia Foundation, Education NGO India, Teacher Education Program, Teacher Training Programs in India, Pre-service Teacher Education, Teacher Development Initiatives, Education Foundation Working in India, Education NGO Supporting Teachers in India, Data-Driven Decision Making in Education