14,000+ BMC teachers trained across 814 public schools in Mumbai directly impacting over 2.5 lakh students
Mumbai; 11 September 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has renewed its partnership with the Pehlay Akshar Foundation (PAF) by signing a five-year extension to scale PAF’s flagship Teacher Training Programme. Over the last five years, the initiative has trained 8,000 teachers across 814 BMC schools, directly impacting over 2.5 lakh students. By empowering teachers with Functional English, modern pedagogy, and student-centric classroom practices, the programme has been instrumental in transforming classrooms into joyful, engaging spaces of learning.
Addressing the gathering, the Guest of Honour, Shri Bhushan Gagrani, Commissioner, BMC, said:“If we nurture social skills through Functional English in the formative years, then it becomes the first step, English for knowledge the second, and together they open the window to the world, and to learning. Pehlay Akshar is that beginning, and by passing on these skills to students, we take the right step forward.”
Assessments by independent agencies Sattva and CSRBox show that results have been both measurable and inspiring. Four in five teachers were able to recall and apply core training concepts, and 85% of teachers actively use the programme’s digital app 2–3 times a week. Teachers report a noticeable rise in student confidence, participation, and collaboration across different learning levels—with 86% observing greater teamwork among students. These changes are helping foster classrooms that are not only academically effective but also inclusive, joyful, and future-ready.
Reflecting on the journey, Radha Goenka, Founder of Pehlay Akshar Foundation, said,“This partnership with BMC is proof that systemic change is possible when public institutions and social innovators work together. The next five years are about building on this trust and creating a replicable model of teacher empowerment that can inspire public education across India. It’s our commitment to reimagine every classroom as a space where curiosity thrives and every child feels seen, heard, and inspired.”
Other dignitaries present at the event were Dr Prachi Jambhekar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Education), Shri Mukhtar Shah, Deputy, Education Officer, BMC; Shri Kirtivarshan Kiratkudave, Deputy Education Officer, BMC; Mrs Jyoti Bakane, Deputy Education Officer, BMC.
Launched in 2019, the collaboration was designed to address critical gaps in teacher preparedness and classroom engagement. The programme blends structured training workshops, peer-to-peer learning, live classroom demonstrations, and one-on-one mentoring with continuous support through digital resources such as energisers, worksheets, lesson plans, and more—delivered via the Pehlay Akshar App and WhatsApp bot. This multi-layered approach has helped teachers build confidence, embrace activity-based learning, and create more inclusive and participative classrooms.
