In a major step toward strengthening English language proficiency and employability among youth, the Government of Punjab, in collaboration with EnglishHelper, today announced the launch of The English Edge, a large-scale English learning program that will reach 750,000 students across 3,600 government schools over the next three years.
The initiative is being rolled out in three phases, beginning with Phase I, which covers 500 schools and 300,000 students across all 23 districts of Punjab. The program will be implemented in Grades 9–12, ensuring inclusivity and equitable access for learners. It acknowledges English as a critical pathway to higher education, employment, and social mobility.
EnglishHelper has been engaged with schools in Punjab since 2013, beginning with a pilot program that expanded in 2015 in partnership with USAID. In March 2021, the Government of Punjab signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EnglishHelper to scale its programs with special focus on all secondary and senior secondary schools for a three-year duration. Nearly 150,000 technology-enabled classes were conducted, strengthening students’ reading and comprehension abilities.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Deepak Verma, CEO of EnglishHelper, said:
“We are excited to scale our proven learning solutions across Punjab at an unprecedented level. This program addresses all four pillars of language acquisition, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, through a seamless combination of AI-powered self-learning and teacher-led instruction. Our goal is to equip students not only with language skills but also with the confidence and competence to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world. We see this as a model that can transform English learning across India and beyond.”
This state-wide initiative reaches all corners of Punjab, equipping students with essential English communication skills for today’s competitive job market. The program uses a blended learning model using EnglishHelper’s solutions, integrating self-learning through Reading & Comprehension Assistant with curriculum-aligned classroom instruction using ReadToMe. It is underpinned by learning science, supports low-resource environments, and is aligned with NEP 2020’s vision of foundational literacy, equitable access, and technology integration. EnglishHelper, in partnership with the Punjab Government, is mobilizing resources for the program through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and philanthropic contributions.
The Punjab Government and EnglishHelper partnership shows how government–industry collaboration can advance educational equity. This large-scale initiative serves as a model for similar efforts and highlights the role of corporate social responsibility in education. This collaboration sets a benchmark for scalable, tech-driven education in Punjab, aiming to bridge opportunity gaps and prepare students for success on a global stage.
