Jammu Literacy Project Workshop and reading ‘Disillusionment’ from ’21 Lessons for the 21st Century’

Recording Summary

A Masterclass session on Emerging Literacies, hosted by Sandeep Dutt on July 11, focused on financial, food and digital literacy for teachers. The session commenced with Kunal providing updates from their recent workshop in Jammu where they had successfully conducted financial and food literacy programmes at Jodhamal Public School. Sandeep then outlined the background of the Learning Forward India Foundation, which began in 2020 with a single school in Bali (Rajasthan) and has since expanded to nearly 100 schools across India. The main portion involved reading from Yuval Noah Harari’s book 21 Lessons for the 21st Century and discussing the loss of faith in the liberal narrative that has dominated global politics in recent decades. This is attributed to the convergence of biotechnology and information technology, which presents unprecedented challenges. The session concluded with panellists Dr Deep Khare and Ms Amita Arora sharing their reflections on the importance of expanding education beyond academic learning to include critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills that will prepare teachers for the future.

Welcome to Ballia - Literacy Project for Educators Episode 1/10

Date: 4th July 2026 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Venue : Sunbeam School, Ballia

Welcome to Sunbeam School, Ballia.

Today is not an ordinary Saturday.

Today — for the very first time — this school, this city and these teachers become part of something much larger than any one of us in this room.

We gather here today for the Inaugural Chapter of the Literacy Project for Educators — a nationwide initiative by the Good Schools Alliance under the Learning Forward India Foundation. This movement has spent over four decades asking one simple question:

Who invests in the teacher?

Today — we answer that question.

Through sessions on Financial Literacy and Food Literacy — led by some of the finest minds in their fields — we begin a journey that will travel from Ballia to across India.

And it all begins here.

It all begins today.

It all begins with you.

Ballia Event Presentation 4th July 2026 by Kunal Rajpurohit

Isn't that a little strange?

 We Use Money Every Day. We Eat Food Every Day. Yet We Rarely Learn About Either.

Isn't that a little strange?

We learn how to solve equations, write examinations, and remember formulas. But when it comes to money and food—two things that stay with us long after school—we are often expected to learn from experience, mistakes, or whatever advice happens to come our way.

One example shared during a session really stayed with me. Many mothers and families save money carefully at home and feel happy knowing it is there for the future. Saving is a wonderful habit. But what if that money could do more? What if understanding money was just as important as saving it?

That is what Financial Literacy is really about.

Not brands. Not advertisements. Not being told where to invest.

In fact, one of the speakers clearly said that he was not there to promote any company or scheme. He was there to help people understand how to save their money, use it wisely, and make decisions according to their own comfort and needs.

The same goes for Food Literacy.

We all eat food every day, but how often do we actually think about it? Understanding food, nutrition, and healthy habits is not just useful knowledge—it is a life skill.

And maybe that is why teachers are at the centre of this initiative.

Teachers shape future generations. If teachers become aware of these skills, students naturally learn from them too. A lesson taught in one classroom can travel much further than we imagine.

What I find exciting is that this is not just a workshop. It is an opportunity to explore new places, meet educators from different schools, learn from professionals, earn certifications, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections.

Of course, information is available online. Almost everything is. But learning alongside other people, asking questions, discussing doubts, attending online meetings, researching tasks, and growing as a community is a different experience altogether.

Perhaps the best part is that nobody is expected to know everything before joining.

Just bring your curiosity.

The conversations, the people, the questions, and the learning will take care of the rest.

- Akanksha Rai, My Good School Intern 

Happy Teachers

The Literacy Project for Educators is an initiative by the Good Schools Alliance, powered by the Learning Forward India Foundation, intended to equip teachers with essential life skills that extend beyond textbooks—helping them grow both professionally and personally.

Centred around the idea of “Happy Teachers,” the project emphasises empowering educators with practical knowledge in areas that affect daily life, including:

- Financial Literacy

- Food Literacy

- Emerging Literacies such as AI and more

Find out more, connect with our Projects Manager, Kunal, at KR@LearningForward.org.in

Happiness and Tolerance - Harmony BHIS

-A True Experience of Happiness
It was the month of the occasion, and a new dawn was heralding the advent of the winter season. Our school arranged for a trip to Gwalior during Diwali Vacation. Most of the ninth graders were eager to go for that trip. It was a matter of discontentment for them that they would not be allowed to go for such kind of long journey with their friends when they would be in tenth grade, according to them ‘a pick moment of stress in school life where they need some stress buster’. So, they did not have any desire to lose the opportunity of making merriment with their friends for a few days without any constraints.

Harsh, Vivek, Muskaan, Shreya, Yash and Navjyot were in their ecstatic mood. Staying with friends for five days and nights throughout, it was just a heavenly feeling for them. They didn’t want to be parted from each other at any cost.

As per schedule, along with the other kids and teachers in charge, they boarded the train at Central Mumbai for Gwalior at 3 p.m. At the proper time, they were served with a mouthwatering delicacy like pizzas by the tour guides. The food was of their choice, it had a euphoric impact upon them.

After the allocation of seats, Harsh and Vivek went towards the compartment where their friends were sitting. In this way, they were enjoying the real taste of freedom. How time passed for them, they couldn’t make out; they were so much engrossed in their fun. Gradually, the compartment became noisier and noisier. The other co-passengers had already expressed their grievances at the unnecessary movement of those children and throwing wrappers around in the compartment. Dinner was served on time, after that, most of our kids and the other commuters went to sleep.

For Harsh and Vivek, it was just the outset of their ventures. Then, they did not want to be dictated by anyone. They forgot the lesson they learnt on the fundamental rights and duties. They could hardly remember that they shouldn’t celebrate the moment by intruding on someone’s freedom. The passengers reiterated their complaints. That was the end of their tolerance.

Here the role of a teacher is decided. Accordingly, the teachers played as the harbingers to channelize the children like Harsh and his associates in the right direction. Subsequently, they were made to realize ‘what exactly true happiness means and how it can cross the limit of tolerance if it is misconstrued’. Our innocent kids could quickly then identify that true happiness lies in the joy of achieving someone’s love through the expression of ‘share and care’ and not by impinging on other’s happiness. As it is rightly said by Dalai Lama, "Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”

Harmony @ Billabong High International School, Thane 
- Abira Chakraborty, Pooja Khona, Bhumika Ailsinghani, Rajshri Rane, Soniya Kuril, Poonam Choudhary, Kavita Shetty

IMPORTANCE OF ORGANIC FARMING

Food is one of the basic needs of us but we are not bothered about the quality of it. We do not know what are the harmful chemicals or adulterants present in it. These all lead to biological magnification followed by many diseases. So this is the right time to turn towards nature.

Organic farming is a method of agriculture in which farmers avoid the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, hormones etc. Instead of these, they use crop residues, animal manures, leaves of plants, off-farm organic waste to the maximum extent. Scientific methods like mixed cropping, crop rotations and biological system of nutrient mobilisation and plant protection are applied for maximum yield.
Nowadays we are seeing a rise in organic farming, as it is the need of the hour. Consumers are becoming highly conscious about their health and the food they consume. More and more people are opting for organic food to avoid the consumption of food that is grown by using chemical ways.

Unfortunately, there are many farmers who aim the profit only. In order to yield early and abundant produce, many farmers in the rural areas have been using chemical fertilisers, pesticides and hormone applications. It is due to the lack of knowledge. But this is gradually changing as more farmers are choosing the organic route. There are some people who have decided to venture into this field, either by producing or supporting farmers to yield fresh and unadulterated produce that is healthy for consumption. Also, with more number of people preferring to consume organic food, and with the number of organic e-commerce stores popping up in various cities, it seems like people are moving towards the right direction.

It is very important to make all people aware of the dangerous impact of consumption of food items available in markets. Our government should do something to promote organic farming. Organic farming communities should conduct various workshops on cultivation methods, pest management and long-term benefit of going the organic way by showing the sustainability of these practices. Organic farmers should encourage other farmers to visit their farm and learn about their best way of cultivation. So let’s take some initiatives to promote best practices for all of us.

Byju P.Joseph, Educator and Vice Principal
The Fabindia School, Bali