Training Sessions That Strengthen Haliyal’s Learning Facilitators

Every new academic year brings fresh energy into our Shikshas—but this year began with something even more powerful: a series of hands-on training sessions designed to strengthen the skills and confidence of our Learning Facilitators. Thanks to our earlier partnership with The Meghshala Foundation, and now with CFTE these sessions helped educators’ step into the classroom better prepared, more inspired, and equipped with new tools to support every child’s learning journey. Learning the Digital Tools That Bring Classrooms Alive Over the summer, our facilitators attended workshops focused on the Meghshala App, the digital backbone of our Shiksha classrooms. Meghshala creates interactive learning modules that our educators use on tablets, making lessons more engaging and accessible for children. During the training, facilitators explored each element of the digital modules—how to navigate them, how to pace lessons, and how to blend technology with their own teaching styles. For many, it was a moment of empowerment: technology was no longer intimidating, but an ally in the classroom. Beyond the App: Building Strong Teaching Practices In June, a two-day workshop led by Mr. Manjunath Hemapur from Meghshala shifted the focus from digital tools to teaching techniques. Through group activities, discussions, and demonstrations, facilitators learned how to create classrooms where children feel safe to question, experiment, and make mistakes. They explored ideas like: These sessions helped facilitators see how their own presence, tone, and seriousness shape the learning environment. When they show enthusiasm, children respond with the same energy. A Stronger Foundation for Haliyal’s Children By the end of the training cycle, something had shifted. Our Learning Facilitators walked away not just with new skills, but with a deeper understanding of their role as educators. They now carry a renewed sense of responsibility—and pride—in shaping young minds. These learnings will ripple outward into every Shiksha classroom.Better-equipped facilitators mean more confident students, more joyful learning, and a stronger foundation for children across Haliyal. The year has only just begun, but the impact of these sessions is already taking root—quietly, steadily, and beautifully.

Transforming Lives: How Local Women Became Educators in Haliyal

On a typical weekday afternoon in Haliyal, you’ll find a small classroom buzzing with energy—songs echoing through the room, children acting out stories, and a group of young women learning how to teach with confidence and joy. This is the heart of the CherYsh Shiksha Learning Program, where local women are trained to become Learning Facilitators for their own communities. The journey begins with Mr. James D’Souza, a dedicated high-school teacher from Haliyal. With years of classroom experience and a strong foundation in functional English from the Regional Institute of Language, he brings both expertise and heart to the program. Every week, he leads lively training sessions filled with activities, role-plays, and creative teaching techniques—turning learning into something vibrant and alive. For many of these women, this is their first step into a professional role. They arrive shy, unsure, sometimes hesitant. But over time, something shifts. With every class they attend and every skill they master, their confidence grows. They begin to see themselves not just as learners, but as educators—women who can shape the futures of children in their villages. The impact has been remarkable.Over the years, trainers like Mr. D’Souza have invested hundreds of hours into building this community of educators. And today, 37 young women from Haliyal stand proudly as trained Learning Facilitators. They teach with confidence, earn regular incomes, and hold a respected place in their communities. What began as a training program has become a movement—one that transforms not just classrooms, but lives. These women are no longer just participants in the education system; they are leaders, role models, and the driving force behind a brighter future for rural children. In Haliyal, education is no longer something that arrives from outside.It is something grown from within—nurtured by the women who call this place home.

Transforming Lives: Women Educators in Education

The cherysh Shiksha learning program trains local women to become Learning Facilitators. Mr. James D’Souza, a high school teacher from Haliyal, selects and trains these young, qualified women. The cherysh saadhan learning program has a fantastic initiative to develop local Learning Facilitators. They select and train young, qualified women from the community to become Shikshas’ educators. Mr. James D’Souza, a high school teacher from Haliyal, coordinates the training program.  He brings his teaching experience from the local high school. He also has an impressive command of functional English from his studies at the Regional Institute of Language. Every week, they have training classes with lots of activities, songs, and plays.  Many trainers have worked hard over the years. They provided hundreds of hours of coaching. With the support of the program, 37 young women from Haliyal have become confident educators. They now have regular incomes.

Training Sessions Enhance Learning Facilitators’ Skills

This academic year kicked off with training sessions for Learning Facilitators, thanks to The Meghshala Foundation. They focused on using the Meghshala App and teaching techniques, helping educators create a better learning environment for students in Haliyal. To start the academic year, several training sessions were conducted. Our Learning Facilitators attended these sessions, which were held in partnership with The Meghshala Foundation. Meghshala designs the digital learning modules that are taught in the Shikshas with the use of tablets. A few training sessions were held over the summer. They focused on the use of the Meghshala App and the accompanying study modules. Our learning facilitators are use the app on tablets they are provided with tablets to teach in the Shikshas. These training covered the different elements in the digital modules. They also explained how the learning facilitators can use them in Shikshas. In June, a two day training session was held and was conducted by Mr. Manjunath Hemapur of Meghshala. This training was more focused on teaching techniques outside of the app. It equipped our Learning Facilitators with more active tools to encourage learning in their Shikshas. They were taught a handful of group activities as a part of this. Some topics were covered to make the learning facilitators understand that each child learns at a different pace. It is important for the children to question and make mistakes to really learn. Our learning facilitators learned a lot about their role in creating a positive learning environment for their students. They understood how their behavior and seriousness are reflected in their students. These leanings will make the learning facilitators more efficient. Our Shikshas will also become more efficient in imparting learning. This improvement will enhance the quality of education available to the children in Haliyal.

CherYsh Educator Program

Women empowerment is one of the cornerstone principles at CherYsh. Another pivotal program under this principle is the “CherYsh Educator Program.” This program aims to empower local women as teachers, helping to meet the educational needs for the young children of their communities. English, science and maths teachers, often referred to locally as “Learning Facilitators” undergo over 50 hours of in-person sessions and supplementary online training that focuses on pedagogy, technology, and subject coaching. Modules incorporate interactive activities, songs, and play to create an engaging learning experience. This approach has transformed over 200 women into confident educators and master trainers with stable incomes. Their societal dignity contributes to improved learning outcomes for the rural children they teach. Key Partnerships Supporting the Program CherYsh has developed one of the most widely recognized Learning Facilitator Training Programs in rural India. Collaborating with esteemed institutions such as the Council for Technical Education (CFTE), Pi Jam, Raspberry Pi, KLE Technological University, Intel Corporation, and Deshpande Private Industrial Training Institute (DIPTI). As a result, this program underscores excellence in education, technology, and subject matter expertise. Strategic Partners and Focus Areas CFTE E-classroom modules for STEM education. Pi Jam Coding education and master trainer programs. Raspberry Pi Hardware provision and user training KLE Tech University Coaching in English, Math, and Computer Science Intel Corporation Technology infrastructure support. DIPTI Training in multimedia tools. Thoughtworks Software training Program Overview CherYsh identifies and trains young, qualified women from Haliyal’s rural communities to become educators and master trainers in technology for the various CherYsh Shiksha Centers. The 12-month learning facilitator program comprises weekly sessions covering pedagogy, technology integration, and subject-specific coaching (English, Mathematics, and Computing). Each educator is provided with a digital tablet, preloaded with curated content from CherYsh’s strategic partners. Our Differentiation Our Impact Graduates of the program emerge as competent educators with stable incomes, contributing to rural development and enhanced learning outcomes for students. Through education and skill development, CherYsh empowers women, transforming communities and fostering sustainable socio-economic progress.