Category Archives: Prerna

Updates on Prerna Girls School

‘Reaching for the Sky’: A Celebration of Confidence and Equality through Sports at Prerna Schools

Posted on by

Lucknow, Saturday, 24 January 2026: Prerna Girls School and Prerna Boys School, units of the Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF), organized their Annual Junior Sports Day – Reaching For the Sky with great enthusiasm, energy, and true sportsmanship. The objective of the sports festival was to promote physical development, discipline, team spirit, and self-confidence among children. Notable among the guests were Kumari Priya (renowned mountaineer and cyclist from Lucknow; also Rani Lakshmibai Awardee), Uma Sharma (Sub-Inspector, 1090), a three-time boxing medalist and recipient of the Rani Lakshmibai Award and Seema Sharma (Sub-Inspector, Intelligence Department. 

The programme began with a welcome address, followed by an inspiring speech by the school Principal, Rakhi Panjwani, who motivated the students with her encouraging words. She said, “Reaching for the Sky is not just the theme of our Sports Day; it is the spirit of our school, inspired by Dr Urvashi Sahni’s book that captures the courage, struggles, and quiet strength of our girls.”

Kumari Priya, chief guest said,“I urge all parents to treat their daughters and sons equally and give them the same opportunities, encouragement, and support. When we believe in our children without discrimination, they gain the confidence to dream big and move forward in life. This change has to begin at home, in the way we think and act every day, because meaningful change in society always starts with oneself.”

Dr Urvashi Sahni, CEO, Study Hall Educational Foundation, said, “Girls and boys must be seen and raised as equals. Education should prepare them not for dominance or submission, but for partnership. Girls need to grow up knowing they are equal human beings with the right to dream, decide, and lead. Boys need to learn sensitivity, justice, and the truth that patriarchy harms them too—it limits their humanity and wounds the women they love, their mothers and sisters. When girls and boys learn together in equality and respect, they can build an egalitarian society where everyone has the freedom to thrive.”

Uma Sharma, guest of honour said, “Growing up as a girl comes with many challenges and risks, but when girls are supported, encouraged, and believed in, they can overcome every obstacle. With the right guidance and opportunities, girls can rise with confidence and reach heights they once thought were impossible.”

Students of Classes 4 and 5 presented the Prerna Constitution, after which children enthusiastically participated in various fun and engaging athletic events and sports activities, including the Balancing Cone Race, Three-Legged Race, Bunny Jump, Saathi Haath Badhana Race, Ring Race, and Balancing Ball. The Girls’ Drill performed by students of Classes 1, 2, and 3 and the Boys’ Drill were major highlights of the event and captivated the audience. Special attractions such as the Saree Drill and the Mothers’ Race saw enthusiastic participation from parents. The programme concluded with a Grand Finale and a vote of thanks.

https://aapkikhabar.com/news/reaching-for-the-sky-a-celebration-of-confidence-and/cid18162240.htm

https://aapkikhabar.com/news/%E2%80%98reaching-for-the-sky%E2%80%99-a-celebration-of-confidence-and/cid18162242.htm

Prerna school celebrates convocation, highlighting education, equality, and life outcomes

Posted on by

Lucknow: Prerna Girls and Prerna Boys School, units of the Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF), held their Convocation Ceremony for students of Classes X and XII. The Chief Guest for the ceremony was Sri Asim Arun, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Social Welfare and SC/ST Welfare, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The Guests of Honour were Arlene Storm, Chancellor of Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada, and Colin Jackson, Senior Scholar at the University of Calgary Graduate College and Co-Chair of the Civic Narrative Project Calgary on Purpose. A total of 124 students were felicitated at the ceremony.

Prerna Schools are built on a gender-transformative model that goes beyond academics. Girls learn to analyse the world around them, question inequality, and make their own decisions. Boys are taught to examine masculinity, reject harmful norms, and practice respect and empathy. The aim is not only to improve learning outcomes, but also life outcomes—helping first-generation learners build agency, understand their rights, and move through the world with confidence and awareness.

Addressing the graduates, Sri Asim Arun said, “Education is the most reliable path for any child to build a secure and dignified life. When girls and boys develop confidence, skills, and clear thinking, it strengthens not just their own future but the future of the country. What Prerna is doing shows how education can shape responsible citizens and contribute to real social and economic progress.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Urvashi Sahni, CEO of SHEF said, “Our children achieve so much in school despite the challenges they face every day. Their hard work has led to strong academic progress, but the most powerful change is in their lives. At Prerna, we have brought child marriage down to zero and seen girls take control of their decisions and futures. These students show us that when you combine education with dignity and equality, you don’t just improve learning outcomes — you create positive life outcomes.”

The convocation honoured the achievements of students who completed Class X and XII, many of whom are the first in their families to reach this milestone. Alumni also shared how the school’s focus on agency, critical thinking, and equality shaped their choices beyond school.

The ceremony closed with a shared commitment to continue advancing education that builds confident, responsible, and gender-just citizens.

Yuva Manch 2025: SHEF students perform powerful plays on critical social issues

Posted on by

Lucknow: Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) on Friday hosted Yuva Manch, its biennial Hindi youth theatre festival, at Sangeet Natak Academy. Over 50 students from four SHEF institutions — Study Hall, Prerna Girls School, Vidyasthali Kanar Inter College, and Study Hall College — performed four Hindi plays that captivated the audience and inspired fresh thinking: Ek Kshhan Vida (Naresh Saxena), Rani Laxmi Bai (Dr. Vrindavan Lal Verma), Chote Muh Badi Baat (Jaivardhan), and Nadi Pyasi Thi (Dharmveer Bharti).

Launched in 2006, Yuva Manch is a platform dedicated to promoting theatre among young students. It has become an integral part of SHEF’s efforts to nurture creativity and expression through the performing arts while raising awareness and encouraging critical thinking on long-standing social issues.

Addressing the full house at Sangeet Natak Academy, SHEF’s Founder Dr Urvashi Sahni said, “At SHEF, drama is an integral part of our pedagogy because we believe children learn best when they are engaged emotionally, intellectually, and creatively. Through theatre, they don’t just learn to act—they learn to think, to feel, and to speak up. Yuva Manch is their space to tell the stories that matter to them. When children perform, they show us who they are and who they can become.”

On the Streets for Change: Prerna Students Engage Over 3,000 Community Members to Urge Action for Women’s Safety

Posted on by

November 30, 2024: Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organized a powerful rally under its annual girls’ rights campaign – India’s Daughter Campaign to advocate for the safety of women and girls. The event was led by students of the Veerangana group, a student-led social action initiative at Prerna Girls School and Prerna Boys School. Over 700 students participated, reaching out to more than 3,000 community members across the villages of Digdiga, Gwari, and Ujariyaon in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.

Speaking at the event, Rakhee Panjwani, Principal of Prerna Girls School, emphasized the importance of collective action. She said, “Ensuring the safety of women and girls is a societal responsibility. Change begins with each one of us. I urge men and boys to stand with us in the fight to end violence against women and create a safe world for everyone.”

The rally featured vibrant posters, impactful slogans such as “Educate Men to Ensure Women’s Safety,” and street plays aimed at raising awareness. Students engaged community members in signature campaigns, encouraging them to pledge their commitment to fostering safe, respectful spaces for women at home, in society, and at the workplace.

The event witnessed participation from heads of SHEF schools including Roli Saxena, Vice Principal of Prerna Girls School; Pratima Srivastava, Principal of Prerna Boys School; Monica Chandra; Shibani Sahni; and Priyanka Saxena, the lead for the India’s Daughter Campaign. Surabhi Kashyup representing the Global Shapers Lucknow Hub, also lent her support to the initiative.

The rally is part of SHEF’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and empower communities to take a stand against violence and discrimination.

Convocation ceremony of Prerna Girls held

Posted on by

Lucknow: Prerna Girls & Boys School and Center For Learning School (CFL), units of the Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF), organised their convocation ceremony to celebrate the successful results of their students. The chief guest for the occasion was Ruchita  Chaudhary, AGD, 1090 Police (W.C.S.O) and the guest of honour was Gary Everett, Principal of La Martiniere Boys College.

The event started with Ganesh Vandana. The principal of Prerna Girls School, Rakhee Panjwani, and principal Pratima Srivastava, principal of CFL, addressed the parents to thank them for their support and congratulated the students for their achievements. Dr Urvashi Sahni, founder and CEO of SHEF congratulated the graduating students, she said, “Every aspect of education at Prerna — the teachers, the curriculum, the culture of the school, is focused on helping the girls build a sense of themselves as equal persons worthy of being respected by themselves and their communities. We don’t just focus on academic excellence, but to empower them and to build a capacity to aspire, to take charge of their lives, and to flourish.”

108 students who excelled in the NIOS Board examinations were felicitated in the ceremony. The top three scorers in class 10th and 12th of Prerna Girls were awarded the Late Rajendra Mohini Satpal Malhotra Memorial Scholarship.

The guest of honour, Gary Everett, Principal of La Martiniere Boys College, said, “The transformation that is taking place in the lives of your children is evident. They come from a very challenging background, they know the suffering of our country. I urge all the students to dream. You will carry out the vision of your school and bridge the inequalities in this country.”

Sonal from Prerna Girls, shared her experience with the audience. “I feel proud to be a part of Prerna, we are taught that girls are equal and have every right to a life of their own choosing. This has helped me become a confident individual. This has helped me become. With my teacher’s support I was able to do well in my class 12th examination.” She also thanked her teachers and parents.

Neelu the class 10th topper at Prerna Girls said, “My school has given me dreams and opportunities to fulfil them. I am thrilled to join Study Hall. The teachers are very supportive. However I do miss my friends and teachers at Prerna but I can see them anytime because we are on the same campus.” Neelu’s outstanding performance has earned her a scholarship to Study Hall, one of Lucknow’s top CBSE schools, where she will continue her education and prepare for her NEET exams.

Shakti Mishra, a student of class 12th at CFL said, “CFL’s tailored approach to education allowed me to manage my time effectively, ensuring I could devote ample energy to both my studies and my athletic career. Balancing rigorous training sessions and competitive matches with academic responsibilities is no easy feat. And my teachers were at every step of the way supporting me.” Shakti is a tennis player who ranked at 57 in All India Ranking last year. She has won All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Universal tennis Ratings (UTR) tournaments as well as competed in International Tournaments.

The event carried enthralling musical and dance performances by the students. The ceremony was concluded with a gracious vote of thanks by the Prerna’s Vice Principal Roli Saxena and the National Anthem.

Prerna Girls School marks 20 years of empowering education with annual Sports Day

Posted on by

Lucknow: In a bid to connect last mile artisans with business owners and promoters Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organized an artisans fair – GyanSetu Hunar Utsav 2023. Taking forward the mantle of Skill India, artisans and craftswomen from six districts of Uttar Pradesh were invited to showcase their products and build connections with promoters to ensure a steady line of business orders. More than 800 handmade items were put on display.

Notable among the promoters, Chandar Prakash, Runa Banerjee, Shurti Shandilya, Madhvi Kukreja, IB Singh, members from Lion’s Club, Ruth Chokarvarty, Vaani and many others.

The event commenced with a meeting of entrepreneurs from the city. Dr Urvashi Sahni, CEO and founder of SHEF said, “We work with the marginalized communities where talent and skills exist. We have organized Hunar Utsav to bridge the connection between artisans and craftswomen from our communities to all the entrepreneurs and businesses in Lucknow. Our goal is to economically empower women, enabling them to achieve independence and take control of their lives.”

Ms Tanmai Chaturvedi, GyanSetu program manager said, “We work with 70 distinct communities and these communities are full of skilled artisans. The Hunar Utsav is to celebrate their skills and their talents and connect them to businesses so that they can earn. ”

The Hunar Utsav showcased chikankari, zardozi, knitting, handcrafted items and many other products. In October 2021, SHEF launched its skill development program in collaboration with Laxmi Smriti Vidyadaan Sansthan and Jan Shikshan Sansthan, operating under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in Lucknow at Itaunja village. The skill development center was successful and five graduates from the GyanSetu Skill Development Center opened a tailoring unit in Itaunja village.

Cricket fever grips British High commissioner, plays ball with Prerna girls

Posted on by

Lucknow: High on World Cup fever, Prerna Girls School and the British High Commission hosted a cricket match celebrating women in cricket. The chief guest for the event was Mr Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India was in Lucknow to show support to the England Men’s Cricket team for their game against India. The day began with a ceremonial cricket match with Mr Ellis, Dr Urvashi Sahni, CEO and Mr Anand Chitravanshi, Operations head from SHEF. 

Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India said: “I’m delighted to be at the England vs India ODI Cricket World Cup match here in Lucknow and to visit Study Hall Educational Foundation. It’s a pleasure to play gully cricket with young girls of the school. The UK and India share a unique living bridge, including a 1.6 million-strong Indian diaspora in the UK, and our shared passion for cricket binds the people of UK and India together.”

The match commenced with a toss, setting the stage for an electrifying showcase of talent, resolve, and teamwork by the young ladies from Prerna School. Both teams exemplified exceptional sportsmanship and unwavering commitment, embodying the essence of cricket. Prerna alum Sandhya yadav, an under 21 state player and Ragini a district level sports person led the Blue and Red teams, respectively. Unnati, under 15 district level cricketer took an stellar catch at long off to dismiss the opposition captain Sandya. 

Dr. Urvashi Sahni, Founder and CEO of SHEF said, “Our objective is to empower our girls to venture into domains that have historically been dominated by males, and cricket is undoubtedly one of them. Our girls are changing the game and breaking barriers.”

“The winning team’s captain, Sandhya Yadav, expressed, ‘Our primary objective was to relish the game while putting forth our utmost effort. Undoubtedly, the match was closely contested, with a target of 54 runs to chase, and our team showcased exceptional bowling skills.” Sandhya, an alumna of Prerna, has been actively involved in cricket since 2018. She previously represented the under 19 team from 2020 to 2021 and currently plays for the UP state team.

Ragini, the captain of the red team said, “We enjoyed the match and the team gave tough competition.” The match not only offered a thrilling game but also delivered a powerful message about gender equality and inclusivity in the realm of sports.

NIOS, the world’s largest open school which offers diverse and flexible education.” said Dr. Piyush Prasad, Regional Director NIOS, Prayagraj

Posted on by

Lucknow: “NIOS, the world’s largest open school which offers diverse and flexible education. Congratulations to children and the teachers for such a great result. To the students, remember, there’s no shortcut to success; your hard work brought you here.” said Dr. Piyush Prasad Regional Director, NIOS Regional Center, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh who was the chief guest who was the chief guest at the convocation ceremony of  Prerna Girls’ & Boys’ School, and Center for Learning School (CFL), unit of the Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) on Friday September 8. The guest of honour at the ceremony was, Ms Priti Jhunjhunwala, Founder of Helping Hands.The guest of honour at the ceremony was Ms Priti Jhunjhunwala, Founder of Helping Hands. 

The event felicitated 85 girls and 41 boys who excelled in the NIOS board examinations for classes 10 and 12, receiving the prestigious Late Sundari Devi Kapoor Memorial Scholarship. Additionally, 45 former Prerna girls pursuing higher education were awarded the Late Rajendra Mohini Satpal Malhotra Memorial Scholarship. 

Principal Rakhi Panjwani initiated the program, congratulating students for their outstanding achievements and expressing gratitude to parents for their unwavering support. The event commenced with a presentation of ‘Mangalam’ by the students.

Ms Priti Jhunjhunwala while congratulating the students said “Prerna, as its name suggests, is a beacon of hope. Each and every child here is an architect of change, and I am delighted to witness such brilliant minds.Such brilliant minds”

Ms Pratima Srivastava Principal, Center for Learning said  “At SHEF, we firmly believe that every child is invaluable, deserving love, care, and a reason to smile. Today, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the students, many of whom I’ve had the privilege of working closely with over the years. I am confident that each one of you will uphold SHEF’s values and evolve to be respectful individuals.”

Ms Pratima Srivastava Principal, Center for Learning said  “At SHEF, we firmly believe that every child is invaluable, deserving love, care, and a reason to smile. Today, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the students, many of whom I’ve had the privilege of working closely with over the years. I am confident that each one of you will uphold SHEF’s values and evolve to be respectful individuals.”

Dr Urvashi Sahni, Founder & CEO, of SHEF also congratulated the students and said, “This is your first step towards success and I know that there will be many hurdles that you all will face but you should always know that you have the support of your teachers and parents. Prerna School and CFL play a pivotal role in molding students into well-rounded, empowered individuals. We are committed to inspiring every student to take charge of their destinies.”

During the academic year 2022-2023, students in the 12th and 10th grades excelled with outstanding scores.The felicitation ceremony commenced by honoring the highest-achieving students, such as Dipika Sahu and Geeta from Prerna Girls School, who attained an impressive 84%. Nishant Rawat, a student at Prerna Boys School who secured a remarkable 89%. Furthermore, Ishita Patel, from CFL (Center for Learning School),who not only secured 84.6% but also became the school’s Topper. Afterwards, the ceremony acknowledged and celebrated the accomplishments of all deserving students.

Seema Nisha, a former student of Prerna School, expressed, “Prerna is truly unique. The school embraces children coming from challenging backgrounds and the teachers not only provide education but also offer unwavering support, guiding through every obstacle teaching them to be resilient and empowering them to achieve their dreams. My sisters and I are very proud to be a part of Prerna”

The ceremony culminated with a dance performance and a gracious vote of thanks.

“Theatre provides a safe space for children to express their feelings, rehearse resistance and think critically,” says Dr Urvashi Sahni

Posted on by

Lucknow: “Theatre provides a safe space for children to express their feelings, rehearse resistance and think critically. At SHEF we provide all our children safe space to learn and fail. Arts and drama are an integral part of our pedagogy,” said Dr Urvashi Sahni at Yuva Manch, a theatre festival organised by Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) at Sant Gadge Auditorium in Gomti Nagar. The festival showcased three critically acclaimed plays by renowned writers – Munshi Prem Chand, Anton Chekhov and Rabindra Nath Tagore, and performed by the students and alumni from various units of SHEF.

Yuva Manch opened with Thakur ka Kuan, an adaptation of Munshi Premchand’s story of the same name. The play was performed by students of Vidyasthali Kanar Inter College (a unit of SHEF). It was followed by a series of two English stories under the theatrical performance “Cheers to Chekhov” as a tribute by the students, to the renowned Russian playwright and master of modern short story, Anton Chekhov. ‘The Chameleon’, was a comical parody that kept the crowd guessing. It captured the hypocritical nature of individuals in society who prioritise authority and status over principles of truth and justice.

Meenakshi Bahadur, Principal of Study Hall said “Drama instils discipline and hones multiple skills in the children. It helps in fostering creativity, self-expression, and teamwork.”

The final presentation was an adaptation by Shrimati Usha Ganguly, of Rabindranath Tagore’s story ‘Chandalika, a poignant tale exploring caste, compassion, and self-liberation in 20th-century India, a compelling story of societal barriers shattered. Students of Prerna Girls School, Prerna Boys School and Study Hall performed the play for the audience.

A month-long theatre workshop was organised to hone the acting, diction and stage presentation of students by Mr. Bhartendu Kashyap and Mr. Vinay Kumar Mishra who directed all the plays. At the core of all these plays, societal issues were brought to light, which made for an evocative theatrical performance by the children.

“We must work together to create a safer country for everyone,” says DSP Saumya Pandey

Posted on by

Lucknow: Saumya Pandey, DSP Anti Terror Squad 1090 on Friday at the annual concert of Prerna Girls and Boys School said, “We must work together to create a safer country for everyone. It is our duty to raise our voice against any form of injustice. The police needs your help. As a citizen of this country, you must raise your voices, and the police will surely take actions and resolve the issues. ” Prerna Girls and Prerna Boys school organised their annual concert on 23 December. The chief guest for the occasion was Ms Saumya Pandey, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Anti Terror Squad-1090. The theme for the concert was ‘Aao Milkar Badlen Jahan’. The program started with the welcome speech by the principal of Prerna Girls School, Ms Rakhi Panjwani. 

“We started Prerna with just 80 girls in 2003 and today we educate and empower 1050 girls. Through critical feminist pedagogy, we have empowered our girls and boys to critically examine the oppressive social norms and learn to resist and change these norms to create an egalitarian society. Seeing this enthusiasm, it is evident that our boys and girls will move forward together and make the world a better place.”

Ms Pratima Srivastava, Principal of Prerna Boys School was also present. A play on “Mera Jeevan Mera Adhikar” based on legal awareness was presented by the students of Prerna Girls and Boys School. Colorful dance and songs and many performances kept the audience engaged. The aim of the entire program was to raise awareness that together, it is not only girls’ responsibility to resist oppressive social norms that limit their lives but it is equally important that men and boys play a role in this effort, as they can be powerful allies in the fight for gender justice.

Parents of the students were in full attendance. The program ended with a grand finale and vote of thanks.

Photo courtesy: DSH Team