UNESCO, HP launch 2nd phase of 'HP FUTURES' education initiative

UNESCO and the Government of Himachal Pradesh have launched the second year of the HP FUTURES project, marking a transition from educational research and pilot programmes to large-scale classroom implementation aimed at strengthening competency-based learning, values education and environmental awareness across the state.
The roadmap for the next phase was unveiled during the Third Steering Committee Meeting of the HP FUTURES project, where stakeholders outlined plans to translate education reforms into classroom practice. The initiative has already reached all 12 districts of the state, benefiting more than 10,000 students and 500 teachers across nearly 200 schools while engaging over 750 education stakeholders.As part of the new phase, UNESCO and the state government introduced a range of teaching resources, including competency-based learning guides, green education toolkits, a Hindi-language adaptation of UNESCO’s Sport Values in Every Classroom Toolkit, and training materials designed to support implementation of curriculum reforms.
Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar described the initiative as a long-term transformation of the education system.“The HP FUTURES project is not meant to be an activity or even an annual calendar — this is actually meant to be a cultural shift in the way we know and see education in our schools,” he said.The first year of the project focused on assessing the state’s preparedness for implementing the goals outlined in India’s National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework 2023. A review of 34 national and state education policy documents found that Himachal Pradesh’s education framework is closely aligned with national reform priorities.Two scoping missions conducted between October 2025 and February 2026 visited ten districts, gathering feedback from teachers and students on classroom conditions, teaching methods and learning experiences. The findings highlighted strong policy alignment and growing readiness among educators to adopt innovative teaching approaches.
A survey covering 2,527 teachers from 199 schools revealed that 78 per cent were familiar with the National Education Policy. Officials said the focus now shifts from awareness to implementation, helping teachers integrate competency-based learning approaches into everyday classroom instruction.The project has also made progress in values education through sport. Under the Value Education through Sport initiative, 200 teachers from 56 PM SHRI schools participated in workshops conducted in Shimla, Mandi and Kangra. The programme introduced activity-based learning methods designed to strengthen social-emotional skills and teamwork among students.
One such activity, called “Paper Toss,” was implemented in around 25 schools for students in Grades 3 to 5. Early feedback indicated improvements in peer interaction and social-emotional learning outcomes. A Hindi edition of the toolkit is expected to be distributed more widely in the coming months.Climate education emerged as another key pillar of the initiative. More than 8,500 students participated in a statewide climate awareness quiz during SWACHHOTSAV 2025, while 22 PM SHRI schools across 11 districts joined the Climate Detective pilot programme. The initiative encourages students to investigate local environmental challenges and draw upon traditional ecological knowledge to develop climate solutions.
The programme complements Himachal Pradesh’s broader environmental efforts, including more than 14,000 Eco Clubs operating under the Mission LiFE initiative aimed at promoting sustainable lifestyles.Joyce Poan said the project combines global best practices, national priorities and state-level leadership to create a comprehensive education transformation agenda.“HP FUTURES represents a holistic vision for education — anchored in competency-based learning, value education through sport, and greening education,” she said.
The second year of the project will focus on scaling successful pilots and embedding reforms throughout the school system. Authorities plan to strengthen understanding of competency-based education, particularly around six key capacities identified in the National Curriculum Framework, including critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and digital literacy.A new teacher professional development model will also be piloted in 12 schools across the state's 12 districts, combining workshops with classroom mentoring and peer-learning networks. Additionally, curriculum materials, textbooks and assessment systems will be further aligned with competency-based learning objectives to ensure consistency between teaching practices and student evaluation.Environmental education and values-based learning will continue to remain central to the initiative, with plans to strengthen Eco Clubs, expand sports-based learning programmes and deepen connections between climate education, local ecosystems and community knowledge.The HP-FUTURES (Foundation for Upskilling, Teacher Excellence, Understanding, Readiness, Equity, and Sustainability) project is jointly led by the Himachal Pradesh government and UNESCO, with the Pratham Education Foundation serving as the coordinating agency. The initiative seeks to translate the goals of NEP 2020 and NCF 2023 into meaningful classroom outcomes and create a more inclusive, future-ready education system across the state.