Sir David Beckham Highlights Project-Based Learning in India

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India - Sir David Beckham, the former England football captain and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, visited a residential school for girls in Visakhapatnam to observe Project-Based Learning (PBL) in action. His visit forms part of the broader Mantra4Change initiative, which is supported by Education Above All and aims to enhance educational practices in government schools across Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Nagaland.

The visit, confirmed through a social media post late on Wednesday, has drawn national attention to a hands-on educational approach that prioritises student-led projects, teamwork, and real-world problem solving.

Mantra4Change, in collaboration with the MJP Society and backed by Education Above All, has redesigned the educational framework in 107 residential schools in Andhra Pradesh, impacting around 18,000 students and developing the skills of 107 school leaders. The PBL programme has been integrated into subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Science, transforming conventional classrooms into dynamic learning environments where students engage in practical activities, collaborate on projects, and devise solutions to community challenges.

During his time in Visakhapatnam, Sir David interacted with students and teachers, witnessing firsthand how Project-Based Learning is implemented in daily lessons. He participated in a live PBL session and attended a small exhibition where students showcased their projects across various subjects.

Additionally, he took part in a tree-planting activity, where children demonstrated how to scan and label saplings using digital identification methods. In the school library, Sir David engaged with students during a reading circle, discussing their preferred books. His visit culminated outdoors, where he joined students for a lively football drill, showcasing the PBL approach's emphasis on confidence-building and collaboration.

In a post on Instagram, Sir David commented, "Great day in India going back to school supporting Education Above All’s project-based learning initiatives. So much fun." P. Madhavi Latha, Secretary at MJPAPBCWREIS, expressed pride in Beckham's visit, stating, "His presence at our school in Kothavalasa is a beautiful reminder that with the right intent and dedication, extraordinary things can happen. Project-Based Learning has energised our classrooms, and we hope to continue nurturing this spirit of learning."

Project-Based Learning moves away from rote memorisation towards a focus on applied understanding, fostering transferable skills such as communication, critical thinking, and creativity. The partnership between Mantra4Change and Education Above All exemplifies how targeted support, teacher training, and curriculum redesign can enhance classroom practices across various regions.

Santosh More, Co-Founder of Mantra4Change, remarked, "Sir David Beckham’s visit is an inspiration for all of us and a powerful signal that innovation in our government schools matters. Project-Based Learning is raising children’s aspirations, and moments like this strengthen our resolve to work with governments and communities to make such learning the norm."

The visit also aligns with Shikshagraha, a community-driven national movement co-founded by Mantra4Change, aiming to improve one million public schools across India. Sir David's endorsement of innovative educational practices like Project-Based Learning enhances the movement's core message: that collaboration among communities, educators, governments, and civil society is essential for transforming education. The attention generated by this visit is expected to bolster Shikshagraha’s call for collective action, accelerating efforts to ensure every child in a public school has access to engaging and future-ready educational experiences.

About Mantra4Change: Mantra4Change is a non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming public education in India through effective leadership. Their strategy focuses on continuous improvement in schools by empowering educational leaders, enhancing the learning environment, and galvanising civil society organisations across India to work collectively towards educational reform. Their goal is to achieve sustainable improvements in 150,000 schools by 2025.