Authors
- Gopika Mahapatra, Senior Associate, Insights & Academy
- Siddharth Chatterjee, Senior Associate, Insights & Academy
- Mpiwa Gwindi, Junior Associate, Insights & Academy
- Sangeetha Watson, Assistant Director, Insights
Piramal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Piramal Group, is guided by the principle that values shape action and action drives change. Upholding sewa bhaav (selfless service), humility, and trusteeship, the Foundation works to address systemic barriers in India’s education system by fostering leadership, innovation, and collaboration.
Recognising that compassion must be nurtured like literacy or numeracy, the Foundation partnered with Emory University’s Centre for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics to introduce Social, Emotional, and Ethical (SEE) Learning to India. By 2024, over 100,000 schools had integrated SEE Learning, with improvements seen in academic outcomes, student resilience, and classroom environments. A multi-level approach also embedded SEE Learning in educator development and state education agendas.
The Foundation’s School of Education and Systems Change (SoESC) builds the capacity of over 15,000 middle managers across 10 states. With centres focused on project-based learning, aesthetic literacy, and systemic innovation, SoESC empowers learners and leaders alike. A study by NITI Aayog noted that four of the ten districts showing the greatest educational improvements were those with active Piramal Foundation programmes.
The Piramal Foundation’s journey underscores a powerful lesson: systemic change is ultimately human. By anchoring its work in compassion, collaboration, and selfless service, the Foundation has not only transformed education systems but also inspired a broader rethinking of what philanthropy can achieve. For organisations seeking to create a lasting impact, their experience offers a clear message: start with values, invest in people, and let the change unfold from within.
This case study is part of How Values and Beliefs Shape Education in Asia, an AVPN brief exploring how faith-aligned giving supports inclusive, values-based education across the region.
