From Struggling to Soaring:

Pramila’s Journey of Transformation

Maanjhi stepped into Grade 6 at CM RISE Nandanagar, Indore, she felt invisible. She barely spoke in class, hesitated to participate, and missed school frequently. Numbers and words felt like a puzzle she couldn’t solve. She could only recognize two-digit numbers, read simple Hindi, and struggled with basic English. 

Her teacher at the CMRISE School, however, saw beyond these struggles. The CM RISE programme, a whole-school transformation project of the Madhya Pradesh State Education Department, works closely with academic partners like Peepul. The programme, with its structured routines - morning meetings that encourage expression, entry routines that create a welcoming atmosphere, and reward systems that recognise effort – helped Pramila slowly open up. The supportive school environment helped her feel valued and encouraged her to actively participate in learning. 

To address her learning gaps, the Dakshta Unnyaninitiative – a part of the broader CMRISE project to address the foundational learning gaps among middle-grade students - played a crucial role. Enhanced student tracking tools helped teachers monitor her progress closely, while specialized teacher training equipped them with effective remediation strategies tailored to students like Pramila. Small-group learning sessions allowed her to grasp fundamental concepts at her own pace, and milestone-based recognitions—such as earning Daksha Kaksha and Daksha School titles—gave her a sense of achievement. 

The change wasn’t overnight, but it was profound. With structured interventions and continuous support, Pramila improved significantly— in four months she learned to solve two-digit division problems, read Grade 2-level English, and write simple Hindi sentences. More than just academics, she found her voice—raising her hand in class, making friends, and showing up to school every day with newfound enthusiasm. 

Now in Grade 7, Pramila is among the top five students in her class. She has a perfect attendance record and has competed in Olympiads and a district-level science marathon. The combined impact of CM RISE and Dakshta Unnyan provided her with not just foundational skills, but also the confidence and motivation to excel. 

Pramila’s journey is a testament to how the right support, structured interventions, and an engaging learning environment can unlock a child’s true potential. And she’s just getting started.