Press Release
Press Release from Education Department, Government of Sikkim
Information & Public Relations Department
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT
OF SIKKIM AND BHARTI AIRTEL
FOUNDATION SIGN MoU IN THE
PRESENCE OF HON'BLE MINISTER OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN HOLISTIC SCHOOL EDUCATION
Gangtok, 18.03.2026
Mr. Raju Basnet, Hon'ble Minister for Education, Sports & Youth Affairs, and Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Sikkim chaired a meeting between officials of Education Department and representatives from Bharti Airtel Foundation in his chamber at Tashiling Secretariat, Gangtok today.
The meeting had presence of Dr. Sandeep
Tambe, Principal Secretary (Education
Department), Mr. Tashi Chophel, Secretary (School Education), and Mrs. Anugraha Rai, Additional Director (School Education) from Education Department whereas the Bharti Airtel Foundation was represented by Mr. Sameer Shah, Head of Program Operations and Mr. Sashi Prakash, Deputy General Manager.
Representative from Bharati Airtel Foundation briefed the dignitaries about the Quality Support Programme (QSP) undertaken by the foundation to promote holistic, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments for children in different states across the country.
This was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Education Department, Government of Sikkim, and Bharti Airtel
Foundation. The MOU was signed by Mr.
Tashi Chophel and Mr. Sameer Shah in the presence of the Hon'ble Minister and Principal Secretary.
Under this partnership, Bharti Airtel
Foundation, through its Quality Support Program (QSP), will focus on strengthening students' life skills, enhancing teacher engagement, and improving school processes through coscholastic and capacity-building interventions. The initiative will be implemented in government schools of two blocks under Rhenock and
Namcheybong constituencies in Pakyong district on pilot basis.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon'ble
Minister Mr. Raju Basnet emphasized that improving school infrastructure, empowering teachers, and advancing the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 remain key priorities of the
Government of Sikkim. He noted that the Foundation's teacher and student-centric approach aligns with the state's vision of creating joyful, learner-focused classrooms and reaffirmed the government's commitment to institutionalizing such practices for longterm impact.
Mr. Sameer Shah, Head of Program Operations, Bharti Airtel Foundation, reiterated the Foundation's commitment to strengthening India's education ecosystem through system-level interventions, highlighting the partnership as a step towards empowering students, teachers, and school leadership for sustained outcomes.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment between the Government of Sikkim and Bharti Airtel Foundation to strengthen education systems and ensure meaningful, long-term outcomes for children.
OF SIKKIM AND BHARTI AIRTEL
FOUNDATION SIGN MoU IN THE
PRESENCE OF HON'BLE MINISTER OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN HOLISTIC SCHOOL EDUCATION
Gangtok, 18.03.2026
Mr. Raju Basnet, Hon'ble Minister for Education, Sports & Youth Affairs, and Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Sikkim chaired a meeting between officials of Education Department and representatives from Bharti Airtel Foundation in his chamber at Tashiling Secretariat, Gangtok today.
The meeting had presence of Dr. Sandeep
Tambe, Principal Secretary (Education
Department), Mr. Tashi Chophel, Secretary (School Education), and Mrs. Anugraha Rai, Additional Director (School Education) from Education Department whereas the Bharti Airtel Foundation was represented by Mr. Sameer Shah, Head of Program Operations and Mr. Sashi Prakash, Deputy General Manager.
Representative from Bharati Airtel Foundation briefed the dignitaries about the Quality Support Programme (QSP) undertaken by the foundation to promote holistic, inclusive, and sustainable learning environments for children in different states across the country.
This was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Education Department, Government of Sikkim, and Bharti Airtel
Foundation. The MOU was signed by Mr.
Tashi Chophel and Mr. Sameer Shah in the presence of the Hon'ble Minister and Principal Secretary.
Under this partnership, Bharti Airtel
Foundation, through its Quality Support Program (QSP), will focus on strengthening students' life skills, enhancing teacher engagement, and improving school processes through coscholastic and capacity-building interventions. The initiative will be implemented in government schools of two blocks under Rhenock and
Namcheybong constituencies in Pakyong district on pilot basis.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon'ble
Minister Mr. Raju Basnet emphasized that improving school infrastructure, empowering teachers, and advancing the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 remain key priorities of the
Government of Sikkim. He noted that the Foundation's teacher and student-centric approach aligns with the state's vision of creating joyful, learner-focused classrooms and reaffirmed the government's commitment to institutionalizing such practices for longterm impact.
Mr. Sameer Shah, Head of Program Operations, Bharti Airtel Foundation, reiterated the Foundation's commitment to strengthening India's education ecosystem through system-level interventions, highlighting the partnership as a step towards empowering students, teachers, and school leadership for sustained outcomes.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment between the Government of Sikkim and Bharti Airtel Foundation to strengthen education systems and ensure meaningful, long-term outcomes for children.
