08/07/2026
Education Department, Government of Sikkim Renews Partnership with 17000 ft Foundation for Five More Years to Strengthen Education in Remote Frontier Schools
Tashiling Secretariat, Gangtok, Sikkim
Reaffirming its commitment to providing equitable, inclusive and quality education to every child across the State, the Education Department, Government of Sikkim, has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 17000 ft Foundation for a further period of five years.
The renewed partnership reflects the Education Department's long-term commitment to strengthening government schools in Sikkim's remote and frontier districts through sustained investments in school infrastructure, teacher development, digital learning and community participation. Building on the positive outcomes achieved over the past five years, the renewed collaboration seeks to deepen these efforts and ensure that children living in some of the State's most remote communities have access to high-quality learning opportunities.
During the interaction with the Principal Secretary, Education Department, Dr. Sandeep Tambe (IFS), highlighted and congratulated the work of 17000ft Foundation especially in regard to the work being carried out in the remote tough terrains of Sikkim. Further he assured of all possible help from the Department and looks forward to a long-term collaboration.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Tashi Chophel, Secretary, School Education cm SPD Samagra Shiksha, Government of Sikkim, and Mr. Sandeep Sahu, Co-Founder and Director, 17000 ft Foundation. Also present on the occasion were Mr. A.D. Chettri, Director, Samagra Shiksha, Mr. Chandan Dang, Director – Development, 17000ft Foundation, and Mr. Phuntsog Namgyal Bhutia, State Head – Sikkim, 17000ft Foundation.
Over the past five years, the Education Department and 17000 ft Foundation have worked together to strengthen more than 100 government schools across Gangtok, Pakyong, Mangan and Soreng districts. The partnership has created vibrant learning environments through improved school infrastructure, active libraries, colourful outdoor children's parks, and personalised and adaptive digital learning facilities, while simultaneously investing in teacher capacity building and community participation to improve the overall quality of education in government schools.
The renewed MoU marks the next phase of this collaboration, with the partnership expanding to Gyalshing district, enabling the Government to extend similar interventions to more schools and children across the State.
The partnership aligns with the Education Department's vision of ensuring that every child has access to safe, engaging and high-quality learning opportunities. By strengthening government schools in remote communities, the Department continues to create an education system that is equitable, resilient and responsive to the needs of children living in frontier districts of Sikkim.
Since 2012, 17000ft Foundation has been working exclusively in India's remote Himalayan frontier and border regions, partnering with State Governments to strengthen public education systems. Across Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, the Foundation has reached more than 1,50,000 children, 8,000 teachers and 75,000 community members through its work in over 1,000 government schools.
Under the renewed MoU, the Education Department and 17000 ft Foundation will continue collaborating on key areas including:
• School Infrastructure Development to create safe, child-friendly and engaging learning environments.
• Teacher Training and Capacity Building programmes aimed at improving classroom practices and learning outcomes.
• Digital Learning Initiatives to bridge educational gaps and improve access to quality resources in remote locations.
• Community Engagement Programmes that encourage local ownership and participation in strengthening government schools.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sandeep Tambe (IFS), Principal Secretary, Education Dept. remarked:
"I am very aware of the work being done by 17000ft Foundation and especially love the solar powered DigiLabs they have setup and how students even in the remotest parts of Sikkim have been so comfortable with technology through this intervention’
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tashi Chophel, Secretary, School Education, Education Dept. remarked:
"We are happy with the work of 17000ft Foundation in helping us touch the lives of the students and communities of the remote schools in the different parts and are very glad to know the improvement and progress that we have seen among the students in the schools adopted by 17000ft Foundation.’
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sandeep Sahu, Co-Founder and Director, 17000 ft Foundation, said:
"We are grateful to the Government of Sikkim for the trust it has placed in us over the past five years. Over the last five years, we have witnessed the extraordinary commitment of the Government of Sikkim, educators, parents and communities in ensuring better educational opportunities for children. This renewed partnership is an opportunity to deepen our collective efforts towards strengthening government schools in frontier communities. We remain committed to ensuring that geography never becomes a barrier to quality education and that every child, irrespective of where they live, is able to realise their full potential."
As the partnership enters its next five-year phase, the Education Department, Government of Sikkim, and 17000 ft Foundation remain committed to building stronger government schools, empowered teachers and better learning opportunities for every child. The renewed collaboration reflects a shared vision of ensuring that geography is never a barrier to quality education and that children living in Sikkim's remote frontier communities are equipped with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to thrive.
