In a country where access to quality education continues to define the trajectory of social and economic mobility, corporate CSR interventions have emerged as crucial bridges- connecting underserved communities to opportunities for learning and growth. Among the organisations leading this transformation is GHCL, whose education-focused CSR initiatives in Gujarat are shaping a more equitable and empowered future.
Through the GHCL Foundation, the company has created a continuum of learning- from early childhood education to school reforms and vocational training- impacting nearly 70,000 students across Bhavnagar, Amreli, Sutrapada and Kutch. Its flagship programmes like Vidhya Jyot and the Learning Enrichment Programme are not only improving literacy and learning outcomes but also reducing dropout rates, especially among girls. Beyond academics, GHCL’s eight Vocational Training Institutes, in partnership with NSDC, are equipping youth with employable skills and confidence to build sustainable livelihoods.
Read along to know how strategic and inclusive CSR can pave the way for generations of self-reliant learners:
Lighting the Path Forward: GHCL’s Educational Mission
GHCL, India’s leading Soda Ash manufacturer, is transforming education at grassroots level through its CSR initiatives. These programmes have touched the lives of nearly 70,000 students, creating opportunities for learning, growth and livelihood that go beyond classrooms and contribute to long-term social progress.
Motivated by its core principles, the GHCL Foundation has launched comprehensive educational initiatives. The programmes cover areas like early learning, school reform, STEM education, and career-focused vocational training in several districts including Sutrapada, Mandvi, Rajula, and Bhavnagar in Gujarat.
Reflecting on their initiatives, Shri N.N. Radia, Chairman, GHCL Foundation says “At GHCL, we believe that true development begins with empowering communities through education. Our work across Gujarat reflects a long-term, inclusive commitment. It ensures children learn continuously, parents remain engaged, and youth acquire skills that lead to dignity and livelihood. These efforts are not just about statistics. They are about building resilient communities, nurturing potential, and creating opportunities that last for generations,” said
Early Childhood Education: Where Learning Begins
In the dusty lanes of rural Gujarat, a quiet revolution is underway. GHCL Foundation’s flagship programme, Vidhya Jyot, is lighting up early learning spaces across Anganwadi centres.
Designed to strengthen pre-primary education, the initiative has already supported over 4,050 children between the ages of three and six. The programme focuses on nurturing cognitive, language and emotional development, ensuring children enter primary school ready to learn and thrive.
Vidhya Jyot’s dual-impact model also empowers Anganwadi workers through hands-on training in early childhood pedagogy. These trained educators are now using play-based learning tools, interactive charts, and storytelling techniques that spark curiosity and confidence among young learners.
By focusing on community ownership, GHCL ensures that parents and caregivers stay actively involved, turning every home into a learning space and every village into a nurturing ecosystem for young minds.
Making Classrooms Smart and Learning Joyful
The transition from primary to middle school often determines whether a child continues their education. Taking note of this trend, GHCL launched the Learning Enrichment Programme (LEP) in 2017, aimed at improving foundational literacy and numeracy across government schools.
Since its inception, LEP has benefitted over 30,400 learners, building strong academic foundations and reducing dropout rates, especially among girls.
The programme brings smart classrooms, interactive teaching aids and tuition support to rural schools, transforming them into vibrant learning environments. Through initiatives like MojiloShikshan and Vidhya Jyot, GHCL has made learning not only engaging, but also inclusive, reaching out to students in remote communities who often face barriers to education.
Teacher training, parent engagement, and improved school infrastructure form the backbone of these reforms. The inclusion of yoga and physical training ensure a holistic approach to education that nurtures both mind and body.
At a recent taluka-level science fair in Mandvi, more than 2,000 students showcased innovations in energy, sustainability and agriculture, a reflection of GHCL’s commitment to promoting STEM learning and scientific curiosity from a young age.
Vocational Training: From Classrooms to Careers
Education at GHCL doesn’t end with school, it rather extends into skill-building and employability. Through its eight Vocational Training Institutes (VTIs) established in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), GHCL Foundation is preparing youth for the world of work.
These centres offer industry-relevant courses such as General Duty Assistant (GDA), BPO services, electrical trades and tailoring. To date, more than 5,000 youngstershave been trained — with women comprising nearly two-thirds of the graduates.Then impact of the initiative is visible in the way it has boosted the confidence of young girls.
“GHCL VTI believed in me and showed me the way. I’m deeply thankful for this transformation,” says Hetal, a GDA graduate.“VTI gave me more than just a job. It gave my family hope,” says Aarti, another trainee.
In Kutch, where GHCL’s new Greenfield Soda Ash Plant is coming up, training programmes began even before operations commenced. From the very first batches of GDA and BPO trainees, 56 youth have already been placed, and enrolment continues to rise.
These stories of transformation reflect GHCL’s vision, education that leads to empowerment and empowerment that leads to self-reliance.
Community Involvement: Partnerships that Empower
Behind GHCL’s education and skill initiatives lies a strong belief: progress is sustainable only when communities take ownership.
GHCL Foundation collaborates with local government bodies, the NSDC, and community-based organisations to design programmes that are both locally relevant and scalable. Parents are encouraged to engage with schools, monitor learning, and celebrate their children’s achievements.
In a forward-looking move, the GHCL Foundation initiated school and skilling programs for local communities in Bada village, Mandvi (Kutch). These interventions have positively impacted over 22,000 students and youth, providing them with early childhood education, academic support and vocational training to build a more robust educational and economic foundation in the area.
GHCL Foundation also supports digital literacy drives for families and teachers, ensuring that even in remote villages, technology becomes a bridge, not a barrier.
Through its outreach, GHCL has been instrumental in reducing rural migration, enhancing employability and building resilient local economies that thrive on education and skills.
Looking ahead, the GHCL Foundation continues to deepen its commitment to creating self-reliant, knowledge-driven communities. The organisation plans to expand digital learning initiatives, introduce technology-enabled classrooms and integrate environmental education into the curriculum — ensuring that the next generation grows up aware, capable and future-ready. With its holistic approach that connects education, empowerment and employment, GHCL aims to nurture not just students, but entire ecosystems of growth. Its long-term goal remains clear: to ensure every learner, regardless of background, has access to opportunity and dignity.
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