In a country as vast and diverse as India, achieving scale in educational initiatives is not just desirable but critical for real transformation. FMCG major Marico Limited's flagship initiative, Nihar Shanti Pathshala Funwala (NSPF), stands as a shining example of such an endeavour. Following its guiding philosophy of #EmpoweringEducators, 175000 lakh teachers have been trained under the program in FY24, transforming foundational learning and numeracy for 15 lakh students in regional government schools.
Recognizing that many teachers in underserved regions lack business language proficiency, NSPF upskills and empowers them through targeted training and innovative teaching materials. Aligned with FLN and NIPUN Bharat, the program enhances teachers' subject knowledge, boosting students' reading, spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. It combines digital and offline tools to create an engaging, rural-focused learning environment.
Over the past four academic years, NSPF has made remarkable strides, enhancing education across government schools in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand through dedicated teacher engagement and support. Across the three states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, NSPF has trained teachers from 1.31 lakh schools. This represents 85% of the total schools in these states. Additionally, 94% of the schools that NSPF works with are rural.
As part of its mission, NSPF, along with its partner, LeapForWord, has been implementing a Three-Layered Program Monitoring structure to strengthen support and assessment across classrooms. This includes call-based support, online classroom evaluations, and on-ground school visits, creating a structured system to track and encourage teacher engagement. Additionally, it has launched the Saturday Story Session (SSS), a weekly YouTube program that enhances students' reading, listening, and comprehension skills.
Focusing on teacher empowerment, NSPF has introduced pioneering initiatives to support educators effectively. Teacher Support System (TSS), a new rural-based call center is central to this strategy. TSS offers tailored guidance to all the registered teachers, providing invaluable support to enhance teaching practices in classrooms. Staffed by more than 100 trained local women, TSS enables NSPF to make close to 1 million calls annually, delivering the largest direct support to teachers in the sector. In addition, the Word Power Championship, a flagship initiative by LeapForWord in collaboration with Marico’s NSPF, has been adopted by various state governments. The program has inspired children and fostered a sense of pride among teachers, who have witnessed their students' growing confidence. Word Power Championship competition motivates students to improve their vocabulary and reading skills, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Commenting on the success of the program, Mr. Amit Bhasin, Chief Legal Officer & Group General Counsel and Secretary of the CSR Committee, Marico Limited said, “At Marico, we strongly believe that teachers lay the foundation of education. Through key initiatives such as the Teacher Support System and the Word Power Championship, we are creating theopportunities for teachers and students to drive education in rural communities. The Teacher Support System team has built a strong, dedicated team that brings essential cultural and contextual insights to teacher support. This rural understanding has led to tailored solutions that resonate with teachers in underserved regions. Additionally, the growth in outreach has further helped us to refine our approach to better serve teachers and students.”
He also talks about the employment opportunities that have been created for local women, “Besides teaching, I am also proud that NSPF has created growth opportunity for many women, marking their first involvement in a formal work environment, where employment options were previously limited..”
Currently active in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan (Alwar), the program is set to expand its footprint with ambitious future goals to support more teachers and students across India. With a focus on scalability and long-term impact, Marico’s NSPF Program is laying the groundwork for education that can transform lives across generations.
