Education Department Signs MoU with 17000 ft Foundation to enhance learning level in Elementary Level in remote areas.

As the Central Administration in the State of Sikkim is completely committed to the universalization and quality of elementary education and school infrastructure, it has partnered with 17000 ft Foundation, a not-for-profit organization working with a mission to develop high altitude frontier communities into self-sustaining, resilient and thriving regions.

17000 ft Foundation has impacted over 200 remote frontier villages of Leh and Kargil Districts in Ladakh by improving infrastructure and learning resources in their Govt. Elementary Schools, thereby reducing the exodus of young children to faraway towns, leading to strengthened families, educated communities, and a resilient, self-sustaining region.

As part of the partnership, 17000 ft Foundation will be transforming a pilot set of Govt. Schools in the physically remote and network shadow areas in the State of Sikkim with child-friendly school infrastructure and improved learning resources, including a specialized digital learning solution designed for off-grid and off-network regions. The Foundation will also be building the capacity of teachers and mobilizing the community into taking a more active role in their child’s school.

The Education Department will support and advise the 17000 ft Foundation by ensuring effective and adequate participation through joint monitoring, performance reviews, and timely feedback.

Shri Sandeep Sahu of the Foundation said that the Indian Himalayan region, though strategically crucial, is one of the most under-served areas, due to challenges of geography and low impact numbers. He also expressed his confidence that this partnership will channelize CSR support to develop the remote schools of Sikkim and transform these remote and isolated border schools.

Shri GP Upadhyaya, Additional Chief Secretary, Education Department, mentioned that reaching out to the children of the elementary level at remote places is a great challenge and this partnership will surely support enhancing learning levels among the schools of far-flung areas of Sikkim.

The Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by Shri Sandeep Sahu, Director, on behalf of the 17000 Ft Foundation and Shri Bhim Thatal, Special Secretary and Director, Elementary Education and SPD, Samagra Shiksha. Shri Bhim Thatal officially handed over the MoU to Shri Sandeep Sahu, Director- 17000Ft Foundation. Also present during the occasion were Shri Anil Raj Rai, Secretary, Education, Ms. Tseringkee Chingapa, Additional Director, and Shri Arijit Sen, Advisor, Sikkim Projects, 17000Ft.