MoU signd with Department of Tribal Affairs, Govt of Madhya Pradesh to introduce project ‘Saksham’ – a Life Skills Education programme in government schools

In a visionary move to shape a brighter future for the adolescents of Madhya Pradesh, the State’s Department of Tribal Affairs, which oversees education across 89 tribal development blocks, has partnered with Magic Bus India Foundation, a leading non-profit organisation in the education and skilling space. Together, they aim to empower a cadre of master trainers and government school teachers, equipping them to deliver Life Skills Education while nurturing the well-rounded development of adolescents across 20 districts and 89 blocks in the state.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of esteemed dignitaries that included Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, IAS, Principal Secretary, Dept of Tribal Affairs, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Satendra Singh, IAS, Additional Commissioner, Dept of Tribal Affairs, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, and Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation.

Magic Bus is poised to provide training to master trainers who will then train 18,000 government teachers to impart life skills to around one million adolescents across 9,000 government schools that include – CM Rise Schools, Middle Schools, Special Residential Schools including Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), Kanya Shiksha Parisar (KSP), Model Residential Schools (MRS) Hostels and Ashram, specifically targeting adolescents from grades 6 to 10.

This partnership is set to span four years, with the initial phase encompassing 20 districts and 53 blocks. As it progresses, the programme will cover all schools within the 89 tribal blocks by the second year. This initiative is supported by Echidna Giving.

Remarkably, the Department of Tribal Affairs, Madhya Pradesh, has displayed unwavering dedication to delivering education that emphasises diverse skill sets, encourages learning, and fosters all-around growth in adolescents. This visionary approach is in perfect harmony with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In a state where government-run schools educate a substantial number of young minds, this partnership emerges as a monumental milestone.

Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Tribal Affairs, Government of Madhya Pradesh, expressed, “We are committed to translating the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 into tangible action. We firmly believe that arming our adolescents with the right skills is the catalyst for unlocking their boundless potential and shaping a radiant future. Our partnership with Magic Bus India Foundation marks a crucial stride towards equipping our adolescents with life skills and empowering them to become self-reliant.”

Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation, said, “In partnership with the Department of Tribal Affairs, Government of Madhya Pradesh, we are committed to co-creating a contextualised curriculum and building capacities within the system to train teachers to deliver life skills education in line with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 priorities. In a fast-changing world with huge technological developments, adolescents need to think critically, problem-solve, use creativity, adapt to changing situations, collaborate and communicate effectively. This initiative is aimed at equipping adolescents for the 21st century and it is our proud privilege to contribute to the ambitious education goals of the government and the objectives of NEP.”