Airtel Foundation, Indian Army strengthen education tie-up in J-K

Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], February 25 (ANI): Bharti Airtel Foundation and the Northern Command of the Indian Army have reaffirmed their joint commitment to delivering equitable, high-quality education to children in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh through the Army Goodwill Schools (AGS) Program.

The announcement was made after a high-level meeting, held on February 23, between Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command, and Binu Nair, Chief Operating Officer of the Bharti Airtel Foundation, held at the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur.

For over nine years, Bharti Airtel Foundation’s Quality Support Program has worked with the Northern Command to strengthen teacher capacity, improve classroom practice, and expand student opportunities, helping build stronger and more resilient Army Goodwill Schools ecosystems.

According to the release by Bharti Airtel Foundation, “As part of the next phase of engagement, Bharti Airtel Foundation announced the rollout of specially created professional development courses for AGS educators through TheTeacherApp, its free-for-life digital learning platform dedicated to continuous teacher growth.” 

These initiatives will be aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and delivered through structured in-person teacher training sessions complemented by continuous digital access to TheTeacherApp. The customised program will focus on strengthening inclusive foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) classroom practice, building teacher confidence in using digital and AI-enabled learning tools, and nurturing educators to guide school-based professional learning.

This initiative builds on the Foundation’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality capacity-building opportunities for educators in remote regions.

Another key outcome of the meeting was the decision to further strengthen the partnership by establishing dedicated Career Counselling Cells across Army Goodwill Schools. These cells will provide structured guidance, informed academic planning, and exposure to diverse higher education and vocational pathways—enabling students, especially from underserved communities, to make confident and well-informed choices about their futures.

In addition, both institutions agreed to work collaboratively to engage and empower AGS students in emerging niche technology domains such as Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, equipping them with future-ready skills aligned with evolving national and global workforce demands.

Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, said, "Army Goodwill Schools have been a cornerstone of our outreach in Jammu & Kashmir, and our collaboration with Bharti Airtel Foundation continues to enhance their academic strength and future readiness. This partnership supports not only teacher development but also broadens horizons for our students, equipping them to contribute confidently to society."

Binu Nair, COO, Bharti Airtel Foundation, said, “Our long-standing partnership with the Northern Command reflects our shared vision of ensuring that every child has access to quality education and meaningful future pathways. Through initiatives such as TheTeacherApp and the strengthening of career‑counselling systems, we aim to empower both educators and students with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive.”

To mark the ongoing collaboration, a memento was presented to Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma. The Foundation also shared its Annual Report 2024–25 and comprehensive documentation of its 2025 capacity‑building work undertaken for Army Goodwill Schools under the partnership. (ANI)