Lucknow: India’s most influential education summit has opened in the City of Nawabs — and it is rewriting the future of how children learn. The 16th Ed Leadership International Roundtable, the country’s largest gathering of education leaders, began in Lucknow with a groundbreaking theme: “When Education Becomes PATH.” Far from being a ceremonial event, the four-day summit is positioned as a movement — one driven by action, innovation, and a renewed national vision for education.
At the heart of this transformation is the ALfA PATH Model, developed by noted education reformer Dr. Sunita Gandhi, founder of the Global Education & Training Institute (GETI) and DEVI Sansthan. With over two decades of research and field experience, Dr. Gandhi’s model is emerging as a game-changing pedagogy aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The ALfA PATH framework integrates the 4Cs — collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity — turning classrooms into child-led spaces where learning is faster, joyful, and deeply meaningful. Paired Learning, a core component of the model, has shown that students can learn three times faster than with traditional teaching methods, mastering reading and mathematics with confidence and delight.
With ALfA already implemented in 10,000 schools and formal agreements signed with 35,000 more, the initiative is scaling at unprecedented speed. Its rapid expansion signals that effective pedagogy, when redesigned with scientific precision, can deliver results that are both swift and equitable.
Adding national significance to the summit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a compelling video address endorsing the PATH Movement. Calling for a “fundamental shift in how India educates its youth,” he emphasized the urgency of equipping students with 21st-century skills. He praised the ALfA PATH Model as a powerful step toward preparing India’s children for the demands of a rapidly changing world.
Summit Schedule Highlights (26–29 November, 9:30 AM onwards)
Venue: City Montessori School (CMS), LDA Campus, Lucknow
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Day 1 – 26 November: CSR & Government Officials
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Day 2 – 27 November: Social–Emotional Learning in Private Schools
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Day 3 – 28 November: Live Demonstration of Impact
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Day 4 – 29 November: Launch of Hi PATH & Buddy Books with global educators
Why Ed Leadership 2025 Matters
National Endorsement:
Rajnath Singh’s public backing gives the PATH Movement national policy relevance, placing foundational learning and 21st-century skills at the center of India’s education priorities.
Transformative Pedagogy:
The ALfA PATH Model is demonstrating that children can learn dramatically faster. Media reports frame this as a breakthrough in solving India’s foundational learning crisis.
Scale & Impact:
With a footprint across tens of thousands of schools, ALfA is one of the world’s largest education innovations — potentially redefining classrooms nationwide.
Global Relevance:
International educators joining via video conference underline India’s emerging leadership in education innovation.
Human Stories:
Children mastering reading and math with joy, and adults becoming literate in months through the Global Dream program, provide strong human-interest narratives.
Policy & CSR Partnerships:
The summit’s opening day, dedicated to government and CSR stakeholders, highlights how collaborations can accelerate educational transformation.
Cultural Dimension:
Assemblies, artistic performances, and community engagement activities reflect a holistic approach where learning extends beyond textbooks.
Summing up the spirit of the event, Dr. Sunita Gandhi said,
“This is more than a conference — it’s a global learning lab. We invite educators, leaders, and changemakers to co-create the future of education.”
The movement has begun — and its epicenter is Lucknow.
