Faizal & Shabana Foundation expands Kerala’s Nadakkavu model to J&K

The Faizal & Shabana Foundation (FSF) has extended its renowned model for transforming schools in Nadakkavu from Kerala to Jammu and Kashmir, marking a major milestone in public education reform.

The initiative began with the inauguration of a new middle school building at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kothibagh, Srinagar, in the presence of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha.

Speaking at the event, the Lieutenant Governor praised the Foundation’s efforts, calling it “a milestone in advancing inclusive and equitable education in the region.”

The project, he noted, reflects how “visionary leadership, compassion, and collaboration can reshape the trajectory of government schooling.”

The inauguration was attended by key dignitaries from India and the UAE, including R N Sharma, Principal Secretary, School Education Department, J&K; Dr Aman Puri, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs; Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir, former IFS; Maj Gen Sharafuddin Sharaf (Retd.), Vice-Chairman, UIBC–UC; Dr G N Itoo, Director General, School Education Kashmir; and members of the UAE India Business Council – UAE Chapter.

The Kothibagh project is part of FSF’s Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model and represents the national rollout of Kerala’s Nadakkavu Model, known for blending design, innovation, and empathy in education reform.

The Nadakkavu transformation in Kozhikode, where a 120-year-old government school was revitalized under the PRISM (Promoting Regional Schools to International Standards through Multiple Interventions) framework, inspired the modernization of 977 schools across Kerala.

With its expansion to Srinagar, this model is now driving similar transformation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Faizal E Kottikollon, founder and 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,” Kottikollon added.

The newly constructed DREAM School block fulfills a commitment made by Kottikollon during his 2023 visit to Srinagar as part of a UIBC–UC delegation, where he pledged to transform the school.

The building includes modern classrooms, robotics and STEM labs, and sustainable infrastructure designed to enhance both learning outcomes and community engagement.

At the event, the UAE–India Business Council (UAE Chapter) also released its research paper, “Bridging Horizons: UAE–India Partnership and the Future of Education-led Development,” which highlights how philanthropy and bilateral collaboration can strengthen India’s education ecosystem.

It recognizes the role of the J&K Government and Shri Manoj Sinha in promoting education-linked development.

The Faizal & Shabana Foundation continues to focus on large-scale educational reform through design-led interventions and government collaboration.

Beyond infrastructure, it emphasizes teacher training, digital literacy, and holistic development to build inclusive, future-ready learning environments.

The Kothibagh project showcases how education can unify India’s diverse regions under one goal, delivering quality, equitable learning for every child.

Founded as the social development arm of KEF Holdings, FSF works across education, healthcare, and community infrastructure.

Its flagship Nadakkavu initiative in Kerala became a model for systemic reform, later adopted across hundreds of government schools.

Building on that success, FSF’s latest project in Srinagar represents its continued mission to ensure every child in India benefits from innovative, world-class public education.