How the Commonwealth Education Trust partners with the Helga Todd Foundation to support Sterlite EdIndia Foundation to transform teacher training in India
Teacher quality is one of the strongest predictors of pupil success: effective education begins with effective teachers – and they need effective teacher training.
We are investing in future teachers in India to transform classrooms through our partnership with the Helga Todd Foundation, by supporting the Sterlite EdIndia Foundation to strengthen pre-service teacher education through Teach2030.
Through our structured professional development, trainee teachers (pre-service teachers, or PSTs) are developing practical classroom skills, learner-centred teaching approaches and the confidence to enter the profession ready to improve learning outcomes by focusing not only on what to teach, but how students learn best.
“We knew that Teach2030 would not only support the pre-service teacher education curriculum but also improve the performance of future teachers.”
Neerupama Sharma, Head of Training at Sterlite EdIndia Foundation
The first programme consisted of 32 trainee teachers in the second year of a two-year teacher education programme, preparing and entering school placements.
Teachers take 5 Teach2030 courses, with every participant completing 5 courses independently but simultaneously.
4 implementation groups were established across India, with 3 based in Chattisgarh and 1 in Uttarakhand. Each group of 6-7 pre-service teacher was supported by an EdIndia Coordinator (PC). Monthly online meetings between EdIndia Coordinators and UK-based advisors from the Helga Todd Foundation provided additional coaching, troubleshooting and implementation support.
Impact Overview
The results were immediate.
- 100% of participants learned new teaching strategies they could apply during school placements.
- 99% said the courses reflected the realities of Indian classrooms.
For trainee teacher Pratibha Bedwal, the programme transformed both her confidence and her teaching.
“My confidence as a teacher has increased, and I feel more motivated to try innovative methods in the classroom. Students are more actively involved in classroom activities and show greater interest in their studies. The training has improved my understanding of effective teaching practices and helped me become more reflective about my work. It has increased my confidence in using learner centered approaches and encouraged me to create a more inclusive and interactive classroom environment.”
Tej Singh Nedi found that practical strategies such as active learning and inclusive lesson planning helped him create more engaging lessons.
“Teach2030 has helped me improve my teaching practices and develop a better understanding of effective pedagogy. It introduced me to different teaching strategies, student-centred learning approaches, and ways to make lessons more engaging. I have become more confident in planning lessons, managing the classroom, and adapting my teaching according to students’ needs. The courses have increased my motivation and encouraged me to continuously improve as a teacher. I have gained professional knowledge and practical ideas that can be applied in the classroom. It has also improved my digital skills. Overall, Teach2030 has helped me grow personally and professionally and has supported me in creating a more positive and effective learning environment.”
Participants quickly introduced practical techniques into their classrooms, including active learning, growth mindset language, better lesson planning and reflective practice. These approaches encouraged greater student participation, stronger engagement and more inclusive learning environments.
The programme also strengthened the skills of EdIndia Coordinators, helping them become more effective mentors for future teachers.
Looking ahead
Following the success of the first group, the partnership has expanded to support 80 more trainee teachers across six states. Participants will also have the opportunity to complete additional Teach2030 courses as the collaboration continues to grow.
Why this matters
A single teacher influences hundreds—often thousands—of learners during their career.
By investing in teachers before they enter the classroom, this partnership creates a multiplier effect that extends far beyond the initial programme.
‘The partnership with EdIndia started in 2024 and has proved to be a very valuable collaboration. Working with an organisation who were keen to develop the Teach 2030 programme with their Pre-Service Teachers was an exciting new development for Helga Todd which required us to work in new and innovative ways with an organisation who are well established in the area of teacher training in India. Following the completion of the initial one-year pilot project, both EdIndia and Helga Todd agreed that Teach 2030 had been very successful and made a very valuable contribution to raising standards of Initial Teacher Training. We are now pleased to be expanding the Teach 20230 programme to five more states and we see this as a long-term project. EdIndia and Helga Todd have a number of ideas for further collaboration, and we value very highly the partnership that has been established.
Helga Todd Foundation
We are excited to continue developing and expanding our partnership in the coming years, allowing more children in India to have better learning outcomes.
Support us today
Donate now to help future learners across the world. Your support helps us
- prepare future teachers before they enter the profession
- strengthen practical classroom teaching skills
- increase confidence in learner-centred teaching
- improve digital capability
- build sustainable mentoring and professional development.
