Held under the theme “Connected Schools – Building Communities. Inspiring Futures,” the Festival adopted an immersive, delegate-centred format that moved beyond the conventional conference model. Its programme combined school visits, keynote addresses, conversations, masterclasses, student perspectives, school showcases, partner and exhibitor engagements, peer learning and networking opportunities.
The programme began with curated school tours across India on September 24 and across Delhi-NCR on September 25. These visits enabled delegates to observe how schools are developing collaborative cultures, strengthening communities and creating future-ready learning environments. The initiative involved six host schools across India and 11 schools across Delhi-NCR.
The learning programme continued at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, where interactive masterclasses and breakout discussions examined teacher development, school leadership, institutional culture, technology and artificial intelligence, digital resilience, student wellbeing, curriculum leadership and future readiness.
A major knowledge outcome was the launch of the FICCI–ARISE–EY-Parthenon Knowledge Report, “AI Adoption Plan for K12: Moving Beyond Experimentation.” The report focuses on helping schools move beyond experimenting with artificial intelligence towards more purposeful and responsible adoption.
Perspectives Shaping the Future of Education
Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, shared his perspective on how schools can evolve from isolated innovation initiatives into connected ecosystems. He highlighted the importance of linking young people with creativity, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, partnerships and real-world opportunities, while emphasising the role of leadership and collaboration in embedding innovation more deeply into school culture.
Shikhar Dhawan, Chairman, Da One Group and former Indian international cricketer, brought insights from high-performance sport, entrepreneurship and community initiatives. Drawing on his journey, he discussed resilience, discipline, confidence and purpose. The conversation examined how schools and communities can create environments that help young people navigate challenges, develop self-belief and translate their potential into meaningful achievement.
Patrick Derham OBE, former Head Master of Westminster School, Rugby School and Solihull School, reflected on the enduring foundations of effective school leadership. Drawing on his extensive experience, he highlighted purpose, service, shared values, relationships and the strength of school communities. His reflections reinforced the need to look beyond academic outcomes and recognise the broader role schools play in shaping young people.
Nikole Blanchard, Head of Educational Technology and Innovation, LSU Laboratory School, explored the relationship between technology and human development. She highlighted the capabilities students will continue to need as schools prepare them for an increasingly unpredictable future, including curiosity, creativity, empathy, judgement, collaboration, courage and imagination.
Students Take Centre Stage in Education Discussions
Student participation was a central feature of the ARISE Learning Festival 2026. A main-stage student panel brought together students from government and private schools to share their perspectives on learning, wellbeing, belonging, creativity, purpose and their expectations for the next generation of schooling.
The discussion positioned students not merely as recipients of education but as active participants in shaping its future. Students also contributed through presentations and showcases, bringing their ideas, creativity and work directly into the delegate experience.
Interactive Experiences Connect Educators and Innovators
A defining feature of this year's Learning Festival was its emphasis on participation and practical experience. The ARISE Experience Zone, school showcases, student presentations, partner and exhibitor engagements, and interactive formats gave delegates opportunities to discover new practices and solutions, engage directly with innovators and build connections with peers.
Throughout the programme, practitioners and experts addressed pressing questions facing schools, ranging from the changing role of teachers and curriculum leadership to AI-enabled school management, career readiness, wellbeing, safeguarding and institutional culture.
The combination of discussions and hands-on experiences was designed to help delegates move beyond listening to conversations about the future of education. Participants could explore ideas in practice, interact with those implementing them and establish connections that could continue beyond the Festival.
ARISE Excellence Awards Recognise Innovative School Practices
The Festival concluded with the fourth edition of the FICCI-supported ARISE Excellence Awards, which recognised exemplary and innovative practices across school education.
Schools from across the country participated, with government and private schools accounting for almost equal representation. The participation reflected the breadth and diversity of India's school education ecosystem.
Entries underwent a structured evaluation process involving an Interim Jury followed by a Grand Jury, with EY serving as the official tabulator. The ceremony also featured the release of the FICCI-supported ARISE Excellence Awards Compendium, which documents exemplary practices and initiatives from participating schools and aims to extend their learning to the wider education community.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Arunabh Singh, President, ARISE; Co-founder & Director, Healthy Planet Schools & Nehru World School, said, “Connected schools are ultimately about people students, teachers, leaders and communities learning from and strengthening one another. Through the ARISE Learning Festival, we wanted to move beyond a conventional conference and create an experience where delegates could see, participate, exchange and connect. The diversity of voices represented this year from government and private schools to students, policymakers, experts and industry demonstrates the power of bringing the ecosystem together.”
Schools Across India and Delhi-NCR Host Learning Visits
The Delhi-NCR host schools were Pathways World School, Gurugram, Haryana; Healthy Planet School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh; Khaitan World School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh; Heritage International Xperiential School, Gurugram, Haryana; The Shri Ram School, Aravali, Gurugram, Haryana; The Ardee School, New Delhi; Delhi Public School, Sector-45, Gurgaon, Haryana; Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh; Vasant Valley, New Delhi; Nehru World School, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh; and Shiv Nadar School, Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
The six host schools participating across India were The Ardee School, Sangolda, Goa; Valistus International School, Whitefield, Bangalore, Karnataka; Walnut School, Pune, Maharashtra; The Newtown School, Kolkata, West Bengal; Sagebrook International School, Hyderabad, Telangana; and Grassroots Global Early Years, Patna, Bihar.
The ARISE Learning Festival 2026 reinforced the importance of connected, adaptive and human-centred schools in preparing young people for a rapidly evolving world. By bringing together educational leaders, students, policymakers, experts and industry partners, the Festival sought to turn discussions about the future of education into opportunities for shared learning, collaboration and action, while advancing the conversation around responsible AI adoption and innovative school practices.
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