Azim Premji Foundation

Azim Premji Foundation is a not for profit organisation working towards deep, large scale and institutionalized impact on the quality and equity of education in India, along with related development areas (e.g. livelihood, health, nutrition, governance, environment etc.) Our vision is to significantly contribute to a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. Drawing upon its rich experience of working at the grass-roots level for over a decade, several institutions established by the Foundation have been working together in an integrated manner to facilitate such impact. There are Field Institutions operating in some of Indias least developed districts, demonstration Schools, the Institute for Assessment and Accreditation and Azim Premji University. The Field Institutions work on the ground to carry out continuing education and ground level programs for educational change in various regions in Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.

Our Field presence, 5-year scale

3 State institutes and 7 District Institutes are in operation

 State Institutes: Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand District Institutes: Udham Singh Nagar & Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand); Sirohi & Tonk (Rajasthan); Dhamtari (Chhattisgarh); Yadgir (Karnataka); Puducherry This year, additionally establishing 2 State Institutes and 7 District Institutes State Institutes: Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh District Institutes: Champawat & Almora (Uttarakhand); Barmer & Rajsamand (Rajasthan); Mandya & Gulbarga (Karnataka); Medak (Andhra) Over the next five years, we will extend our presence to around 50 districts. New states under consideration are Andhra Pradesh and Bihar Priority for districts low on human development, high percentage of disadvantaged communities, poor presence of Govt & non-Govt institutions

Our Field Institutes: Concept & approach

Purpose: Significantly and sustainably improve quality and equity in the K -12 education system Concept: Institutions that work on the ground to carry out continuing education and ground level programs for educational change District Institute has a direct reform agenda. It offers continuing education programs for teachers and functionaries, builds capacities of schools and other institutions State Institute enables and pushes the State to improve school education. It builds capacities of state & district leaders. synergizes the work of key agencies, advocates on policy Approach: Primary (80%): Build capacities of key stakeholders (such as teachers, school leaders, Govt administrators) through professional development programs Supplementary (20%): Synergize, communicate, engage, advocate, raise awareness Field research Trigger work in related development areas

Campus program of The Azim Premji Foundation

The Campus program of The Azim Premji Foundation offers an employment opportunity to fresh post graduates interested in committing themselves for a social cause. It is a full-time employment enabling people to work and learn in a rural setting with requisite institutional support. The initial year at the Foundation is a combination of field work and academic rigour, enabling the young Associates to challenge themselves, develop deeper perspectives and discover some of the linkages between their classroom learning and practice on the ground. This enables them to build their experiences bottom up from the smallest unit i.e. from school/village level upwards to understand on a macro level the educational issues/problems. You would be placed at the District Institutes where you will help build teacher capacities in education perspectives, subject content and pedagogical approaches by Designing training modules, and developing supporting learning material as required Conducting workshops, which develop deeper perspectives in education and enhance subject matter knowledge. Providing on-the-ground support, through direct engagement with teachers in their sphere of work Building Experiences that you could gain and be part of learning communities of teachers, for peer learning and knowledge sharing Relate to school as a system and the systemic elements that impact its functioning Understand the inter linkages of the school with the community and local governance Understand the need for systemic process for professional development of practicing teachers, participate in activities relating to teacher preparation, development and support The Campus program of The Azim Premji Foundation offers an employment opportunity to fresh post graduates interested in committing themselves for a social cause. It is a full-time employment enabling people to work and learn in a rural setting with requisite institutional support. The initial year at the Foundation is a combination of field work and academic rigour, enabling the young Associates to challenge themselves, develop deeper perspectives and discover some of the linkages between their classroom learning and practice on the ground. This enables them to build their experiences bottom up from the smallest unit i.e. from school/village level upwards to understand on a macro level the educational issues/problems.