At our December Monthly Forum, we travelled virtually to Hyderabad, India, to hear from Pavan Kumar Kolli of Exponents Foundation. Pavan shared his fascinating work on "micro schools"- a concept designed to integrate essential skills into the daily lives of students aged 10 to 16.\

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Here are the key takeaways from Pavan’s presentation on their LEAP (Leadership, Employability, and Academic Planning) program.

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The "Micro School" Concept

Pavan introduced the concept of a "micro school"- essentially a "school within a school" designed to teach a holistic curriculum of essential skills alongside traditional subjects. The LEAP program focuses on three core pillars:

• Leadership: Nurturing self-leadership and effective habits.
• Employability: Focusing on 21st-century skills, particularly the "4 Cs": Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.
• Academic Planning: Helping students navigate career pathways and make prudent financial decisions.

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The Skills Builder Global Impact Fellowship

The Skills Builder Global Impact Fellowship is a transformative 12-month programme designed for NGOs and impact organisations committed to equipping their beneficiaries with essential skills. By joining the fellowship, participants join a global cohort of like-minded innovators, receiving bespoke training and one-on-one support to embed the essential skills directly into their existing programmes. It is more than just training; it is a pathway to Impact Level Accreditation, validating that your organisation is driving rigorous, measurable skill development for the communities you serve.

Lead Associate, Bethan Jeffers, reflects on her time working with Pavan as part of the Global Impact Fellowship… 

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“It has been great to see Pavan design a programme that gives multiple points of practice and reflection over eight weeks. Not only does the program allow for direct teaching by their trained facilitators, but it also supports teachers to continue providing opportunities for practice and reflection against steps from the Universal Framework”.  

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A Deep Dive into Communication

A major focus of Pavan’s sharing was on Communication skills (Listening and Speaking). He explained that this priority stemmed from his experience as a teacher, where he observed that students often struggled to ask questions, make friends, or express their opinions fearlessly due to a lack of confidence.

To address this, the foundation developed an eight  week curriculum specifically for first-generation learners and non-native English speakers. The program moves students from a baseline self-evaluation through weeks of active practice to a final reflection and presentation.

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Structured Self-Evaluation

One of the most valuable insights Pavan shared was his approach to assessment. To avoid the vagueness often associated with self-evaluation (e.g., what does "sometimes" really mean?), the program uses a specific rubric. This rubric breaks down skills into clear behaviours, for example, defining "focus" as making eye contact rather than just "listening". This clarity helps students accurately track their progress week by week.

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Action Plans for Ownership

The program doesn't just end with a grade. Pavan highlighted the importance of Student Action Plans. At the end of the program, students reflect on what they are doing well and exactly what they need to improve. This practice fosters a culture of deep reflection and ownership, helping students internalize their growth beyond the classroom.

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A Facilitator’s Reflection

Perhaps the most powerful moment was Pavan’s candid reflection on his own journey as an educator. He admitted that prior to engaging with the Skills Builder Universal Framework, he focused on lecturing students about the importance of communication, which he realised was ineffective.

He credited the Universal Framework for shifting his approach:

"Teaching communication requires providing practical resources, tools, and practices for students to apply and improve."

By moving from theory to practice, Pavan and his team are helping young people in Hyderabad find their voices and prepare effectively for their futures.

If, like Pavan, you’re interested in joining Skills Builder Global, contact us here to find out more information.