New Delhi, October 29, 2025: The Faizal & Shabana Foundation (FSF), co-founded by entrepreneur and education reformer Mr. Faizal E. Kottikollon and Mrs. Shabana Faizal, inaugurated The DREAM School Project — a newly built middle school block at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kothibagh, Srinagar. The event, graced by Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, marks the first national replication of Kerala’s acclaimed Nadakkavu Model for public school transformation, aligning with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Kothibagh project represents the Faizal & Shabana Foundation’s first national expansion of its award-winning Nadakkavu School Transformation Framework, initially developed and implemented in Kozhikode, Kerala. The success of this model led to the adoption of similar practices by around 1,000 government schools across Kerala under the PRISM (Promoting Regional Schools to International Standards through Multiple Interventions) initiative. The newly inaugurated school in Srinagar demonstrates how strategic design, infrastructure innovation, and education partnerships can deliver scalable, equitable, and policy-aligned solutions for India’s public education system.
Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, said, “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Faizal, Mrs. Shabana, and the Faizal & Shabana Foundation for their exemplary commitment to transforming public education in Jammu & Kashmir. This initiative reflects how visionary leadership, compassion, and collaboration can reshape the trajectory of government schooling. The project has not only revitalized the learning environment at Kothibagh but has also sparked new hope among students, teachers, and the wider community. It stands as a shining example of how design, innovation, and empathy can elevate education to global standards.”
“Over the past five years, I have proudly observed that our girls consistently excel across universities, schools, and colleges—earning nearly 75% of all gold medals at university convocations. Today, more than 1,100 startups from Jammu & Kashmir are registered with the Ministry of Commerce, and over one-third of them are led by women entrepreneurs. I am confident that this milestone will set new benchmarks in school education, fostering innovation, integrating technology, and promoting continuous teacher development.”
The Kothibagh DREAM School features digitally enabled classrooms, upgraded sanitation, accessibility infrastructure, and modern design inspired by local architectural traditions. It also embeds continuous teacher training and learning assessment systems, ensuring long-term sustainability and measurable outcomes.
Reflecting on the project’s significance, Mr. Faizal E. Kottikollon, Founder & Chairman of KEF Holdings and Co-Founder of the Faizal & Shabana Foundation, said, “Today is a historic milestone in our mission to reimagine public education in India. What began as a single initiative in Kerala’s Nadakkavu School has now grown into a nationwide movement—one that begins a new chapter here in Jammu & Kashmir. Our vision is simple: every child, irrespective of background, deserves access to world-class learning in an environment of dignity, design, and empathy. The success of government schools in Kerala proves that transformation is possible when purpose meets partnership. With the steadfast support of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and the people of Jammu & Kashmir, we are proud to take this journey forward and ensure that every child’s potential becomes India’s greatest strength.”
The inauguration was attended by senior officials and dignitaries from India and the UAE, including R N Sharma, Secretary, School Education Department, J&K; Dr. Aman Puri, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs; Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir, former Indian Ambassador to the UAE; Maj. Gen. Sharafuddin Sharaf (Retd.), Vice-Chairman, UIBC–UC; and Mr. Akram Thumbay Moideen, Thumbay Group, UAE.
On the sidelines of the event, the UAE–India Business Council (UAE Chapter) launched a research paper titled “Bridging Horizons: UAE–India Partnership and the Future of Education-led Development.” The report highlights the potential of UAE–India collaboration through philanthropy, CSR, and knowledge partnerships to accelerate education-led development, particularly in regions like Jammu & Kashmir.
The Faizal & Shabana Foundation continues to focus on scalable, policy-aligned school transformation models combining design, digital tools, teacher empowerment, and governance partnerships to support national education goals around improved learning outcomes, gender equity, and inclusive lifelong learning.
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