A Commitment to Inclusive Education
The power of corporate social responsibility lies in its ability to create lasting, tangible change in the communities it serves. When CSR initiatives go beyond mere funding to foster true partnerships, they can transform the lives of young people by addressing fundamental needs and creating pathways to a brighter future.
In a significant stride toward bridging the education gap and empowering marginalized communities in India, Silicon Labs partnered with Nirmaan Organization to adopt and transform Zilla Parishad High School (ZPHS), Kothaguda, Telangana. The initiative, launched under the School Adoption Program (SAP) in October 2024, is aimed at creating a safe, engaging, and digitally-enabled environment for over 875 students, most of whom belong to socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
The project aligns with Silicon Labs’ CSR focus areas of quality education, holistic development, and long-term impact through infrastructure development, teacher training, academic support, and corporate volunteering.
Background: The State of ZPHS Kothaguda
ZPHS Kothaguda is a government-run, co-educational institution catering to students from grades 6 to 10. Despite the dedication of its teachers and staff, the school faced several challenges, ranging from inadequate infrastructure and high dropout rates to limited subject-specific teachers and a lack of access to digital resources.
To address these gaps, Silicon Labs and Nirmaan devised a comprehensive transformation plan tailored to the school’s academic, infrastructural, and community engagement needs. Mr. Manish Kothari, Senior Vice President at Silicon Labs, reflects on the initial challenges. “Infrastructure posed the first big challenge,” he says. “Classrooms needed waterproofing, proper ventilation, and even basic utilities like purified drinking water. These were systematically addressed through phased repairs and upgrades, which made classrooms safer and more comfortable.”
Project Objectives and Focus Areas
The project was designed around five key goals:
- Improve academic performance and reduce dropout rates by deploying additional subject teachers and strengthening classroom support.
- Increase student enrollment and attendance through improved facilities and a more engaging learning environment.
- Address infrastructure deficiencies by upgrading classrooms, sanitation, and basic utilities.
- Promote holistic development through extracurricular and soft-skills programs via extracurricular activities, sports, and soft-skills sessions.
- Enhance digital literacy and teacher capacity-building through ToT sessions and exposure to interactive teaching tools.
Project Planning and Implementation
The school transformation was carried out in a phased and structured manner to ensure measurable outcomes and sustainability.
1. Academic Reinforcement through Teacher Support: To strengthen classroom instruction, six subject-specific teachers were appointed in subjects like Hindi, Social Studies, and Science, ensuring syllabus completion and better exam preparedness. Teachers also received Training of Trainers (ToT) support to enhance their teaching methodologies and student engagement. As Mr. Kothari notes, "since the launch of the School Adoption Program in December 2022, we’ve seen clear academic improvements."
2. Infrastructure Development for a Better Learning Environment: Significant upgrades were made to improve safety, sanitation, and comfort for students and staff. These included:
- Waterproofing and ceiling repairs to address structural damage.
- Installation of ceiling fans and electrical repairs for thermal comfort.
- Provision of dual desks, green boards, chairs, and purified drinking water.
- Construction of clean, gender-segregated staff washrooms.
- Ceiling chipping and plastering works for classroom durability.
These efforts transformed classrooms into vibrant, well-equipped learning spaces conducive to student concentration and attendance.
3. Enhancing Student Participation and Attendance: Thanks to improved facilities and engaging instruction, average student attendance increased from 70% in 2021 to 88% in 2024, while dropout rates declined by 5%. Enrollment also steadily increased, with 876 students attending school in FY 2024–25—a significant rise from 700 in 2021.
4. Scholarships to Support Bright Futures: To reduce financial barriers to higher education, scholarships were awarded to academically meritorious students from low-income families. These funds covered tuition fees, hostel accommodation, uniforms, and books. Several recipients are now pursuing streams such as Engineering, Data Science, and Nursing.
5. Volunteer Engagement and Co-curricular Exposure: Silicon Labs employees actively participated in multiple volunteering sessions involving:
- Drawing and painting activities.
- Career guidance and motivational talks.
- Environmental initiatives like plantation drives.
- Annual sports events and prize distributions.
These engagements fostered a strong sense of belonging and motivation among students, who benefited from exposure beyond their textbooks.
Impact and Results
The ZPHS Kothaguda transformation project delivered several high-impact results:
- Enrollment increased from 700 to 876 students over four academic years.
- Student attendance improved to 88% by 2024.
- 22 students scored a GPA of 8.0+ in SSC exams.
- Multiple scholarships disbursed to deserving students.
- Over 40 corporate volunteers conducted 4 sessions, benefiting all students.
- All planned infrastructure works were completed on schedule.
The academic improvements are significant. In the latest SSC exams, 22 students achieved a GPA of 8.0 or above, a notable improvement for a school that earlier struggled with consistent outcomes. Teachers trained through the Training of Trainers (ToT) program are now using more interactive methods, which has improved classroom participation and foundational skills, particularly in Science and Mathematics. Furthermore, interactive teaching aids and digital literacy sessions introduced through the teacher training have made classrooms more engaging, helping to bridge learning gaps for students who previously struggled with abstract concepts.
Testimonials
“Our school has improved a lot—with better classrooms, green boards, purified water, and engaging lessons. I feel more confident in class now. Thanks to Silicon Labs and Nirmaan for making learning fun and safe.” — P. Anu, 10th Class Student
“From academic resources to infrastructure upgrades, the impact has been transformative. Our students now have the confidence, tools, and support to aim higher.” — Mr. K. Ramulu, Headmaster, ZPHS Kothaguda
The Road Ahead: Sustaining the Positive Impact
To ensure long-term impact, the project includes a sustainability plan involving:
- Active leadership by the School Management Committee (SMC).
- Ongoing training for staff and teachers.
- Continued collaboration between Silicon Labs, Nirmaan, and local stakeholders.
- Encouraging school-led ownership of maintenance and monitoring.
A crucial element of this plan is parent and community engagement. The School Management Committee (SMC) has already taken ownership of monitoring maintenance and ensuring the continued use of improved infrastructure, and parents have become more proactive in encouraging regular attendance.
Conclusion: A Model for CSR in Education
The ZPHS Kothaguda school transformation stands as a testament to Silicon Labs’ enduring commitment to social responsibility. By combining thoughtful infrastructure upgrades, academic investment, and volunteer-led engagement, the initiative has created a nurturing environment for students to thrive—academically, emotionally, and socially.
As the project continues into 2025, it offers a replicable model for how corporate partnerships can uplift government schools and redefine educational equity across India. Mr. Kothari affirms this vision, stating that the success at ZPHS Kothaguda has demonstrated that focused interventions can quickly deliver measurable results. “The key lesson for wider adoption is that infrastructure upgrades alone don’t drive change; combining them with academic reinforcement and community engagement ensures lasting impact.”
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