Punjab Youth Leaders Program Cohort 6
The deadline for the application is April 14, 2024 (11:59 PM IST)
Sanjhi Sikhiya, a non-profit organisation working towards transforming government schools in rural Punjab has announced the launch of the fifth cohort of its flagship Punjab Youth Leaders Programme (PYLP). PYLP is a two-year full-time leadership development programme that brings together individuals who have shown exceptional leadership potential and provides them access to the network, knowledge, credibility, and resources required to lead change at the grassroots.
Sanjhi Sikhiya is dedicated to enhance the accessibility and quality of education in the Government Primary Schools of Punjab. We do this by adopting a systems approach. We enable teachers to develop ability-based foundational skills of children. We also empower local leaders to be active contributors in the schools.
Our work spans the whole education ecosystem- the education department, the government bodies at all levels – State, District and Block, Cluster officials, teachers, School Management Committee (SMC) and parents and young people. We are currently engaged in four districts of Punjab – Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Ropar and Bathinda and serve in 800+ schools.
PYLP is a program for young people to contribute towards Punjab’s development.
This 2-year long fellowship program brings together individuals who have shown exceptional leadership potential and provides them access to network, credibility and resources required to lead Punjab in the 21st century.
PUNJAB YOUTH LEADERS PROGRAM
Do you wish to be the change you want to see in the world?
Punjab Youth Leaders Program (PYLP) is a two-year full time leadership development program. It brings together individuals who have shown exceptional leadership potential. During these two years, the young leaders work towards improving the learning and governance in the government primary schools in Punjab. In the process, they grow by building their own leadership values and competencies. The aim of the program is to create a strong community of future leaders which is committed to transform Punjab into a land of Hope, Courage and Possibilities in the next 30 years.
ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਉਹ ਤਬਦੀਲੀ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹੋ ਜੋ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੇਖ ਸਕੋ?
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਯੂਥ ਲੀਡਰਜ਼ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ (ਪੀ ਵਾਈ ਐਲ ਪੀ) ਦੋ ਸਾਲਾਂ ਦਾ ਲੀਡਰਸ਼ਿਪ ਵਿਕਾਸ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਕੱਠਿਆਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਬੇਮਿਸਾਲ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਦੀ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਵਿਖਾਈ ਹੈ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੋ ਸਾਲਾਂ ਦੌਰਾਨ, ਨੌਜਵਾਨ ਆਗੂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਇਮਰੀ ਸਕੂਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਿਖਲਾਈ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁਧਾਰ ਲਿਆਉਣ ਲਈ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਇਸ ਪ੍ਰਕਿਰਿਆ ਵਿਚ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਖੁਦ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੀਡਰਸ਼ਿਪ ਕਦਰਾਂ ਕੀਮਤਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਯੋਗਤਾਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਿਕਾਸ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਦਾ ਉਦੇਸ਼ ਭਵਿੱਖ ਦੇ ਨੇਤਾਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਇਕੱਠ ਬਨਾਣਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਅਗਲੇ 30 ਸਾਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੂੰ ਉਮੀਦ, ਹੋਂਸਲਾ ਅਤੇ ਸੰਭਾਵਨਾਵਾਂ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਦਲਣ ਲਈ ਵਚਨਬੱਧ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ।
WHAT IS PYLP ALL ABOUT?
If you are keen on developing values such as Grit, Resilience, Compassion and Humility. If you are Curious to understand how Primary Education in Punjab functions. The role children, teachers and parents play and the effect of State policies on Punjab’s rural Primary Education landscape, then PYLP is the program for you. Punjab Youth Leaders Program (PYLP) is a flagship two-year full time leadership development program of Sanjhi Sikhiya Foundation in the State of Punjab. This program helps you contribute towards the development of education in Punjab whilst you identify the individual you are ,the purpose you have and the skills that equip you for a future in the social sector.
Leadership at PYLP
At PYLP, we define leadership as the ability to organize people and mobilize resources towards a cause you believe in. Over the course of the fellowship, a structured leadership program will enable the fellow to develop these competencies through intensive weekly and monthly sessions and real-life experiences on the ground.
Besides implementing the cluster transformation process, a fellow will also take up short-term projects to solve local issues. This will be another practice ground for the fellows to apply what they have learnt.
The beginning, middle and end of the two-year journey will also include a 2-4 week immersive in-classroom program, a 15-day road-trip in Punjab to various initiatives on the ground and personal interactions with various leaders who have contributed towards Punjab in different capacities.
Cluster Transformation
Based on the work done since July 2018, we have identified several issues faced by schools, local government officials and teachers in Punjab. These issues vary from decreasing enrollment and depleting learning levels to lack of trust in government schools and missing community participation.
At PYLP, we believe that the solution to these problems is already available with the local stakeholders. Change can happen in a group learning process where participants who are equal stakeholders come together with the intention of learning and addressing the problems. As they identify and learn to solve their common challenges, they take responsibility for their actions and work together towards the collective vision.
Each PYLP Fellow will be placed within a cluster, which is a group of 10-15 schools. He/she will work with teachers, members of the community and local government officials. Structures and spaces will be enabled that allow for mutual learning and growth, improving feedback and accountability mechanisms and initiating projects on local issues.
To learn more about Cluster Transformation process you can refer to the handbook prepared by our partner Mantra Social Services.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A YOUNG LEADER
Ever wondered what a day in our Young Leaders’ lives looks like? The places they visit, the people they meet and the innovations they co-create with stakeholders. The day-to-day activities that lead to their self development and honing of their leadership skills.
Click here to know more and APPLY
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Related
- What is Punjab Youth Leaders Program (PYLP)?
PYLP is a two-year full-time leadership development program for young people in Punjab. Its purpose is to foster a lifelong community of changemakers. A PYLP fellow will drive systemic change from the ground level in the public education system of Punjab.
- Do I need to be a resident of Punjab in order to apply for the Program?
Not necessarily, you can be from any part of the world. The only condition to apply is that you must be willing towards working in Punjab.
- When will the Program commence?
The Program will commence from the first week of July 2024.
- Whom are we looking for?
PYLP is looking for young and dynamic individuals, below the age of 28 years (as of May 1, 2024), with a work experience of at least 2 years, preferably in education.
Note: Exception on work experience criteria can be made for candidates who have an excellent academic track record and/or have demonstrated leadership ability in some form.
- What will PYLP fellows do?
A Punjab Youth Leader will work with clusters of government schools, an area within a district of Punjab which comprises of 10-15 schools. He/she will be bringing together all the major stakeholders of the schools – teachers, parents, Panchayats and local officials – and make them part of the journey in the transformation of schools. In this process, he/she will acquire essential leadership skills, such as organizing people and resources, and form a life-long support community with others based on shared experience on the ground.
- Do I need to have any social sector experience to apply?
No, social sector experience is not mandatory. However, a deep interest in or social conscience about current social issues will be an added advantage. We are inviting people who have a passion for social change.
- How long is the commitment to the Program?
The fellow will be working six days a week over a period of two years.
- Is it a paid Program?
Yes, each fellow will be supported with a monthly stipend of INR 20,000.
- Do I need to know how to read, write and speak Punjabi?
Knowing the Punjabi language will be an asset as the fellow will be working closely with grass root stakeholders, however, it is not a limiting factor for considering your application.
- How will this Program help me in my professional growth?
PYLP fellows will develop high socio-cultural competence along with the skills needed for living a life in service. The young leaders will be given an opportunity to work with bureaucrats of the respective districts. This will expose them to the functioning of the government at the district level.
- Can I study along with the Program?
This is a two-year full-time commitment and thereby doesn’t allow any other course, employment and coaching to be pursued.
- Will this be a research position?
This is not a research position. The fellow will be exposed to a lot of issues in Punjab and if desired, he/she can write a research paper on any of the issues. Exceptional papers will be given full assistance to get them published in leading national and international journals.
- What will be the accommodation arrangement for the fellows?
The fellows will be given assistance to find accommodation around the allotted clusters.
Application specific
- What is the deadline for the application?
The deadline for the application is April 14, 2024 (11:59 PM IST). Beyond this, we will not be able to accept any more applications.
- Can I save my application?
No, you cannot save the application. You need to fill the form in one attempt.
- In spite of filling the form completely and correctly, I have not received any acknowledgment email?
Our system is completely compatible with all email services. Please check your Spam/Junk folder to ensure the email has not gotten delivered there. If you have still not received the email, please email pylpselections@sanjhisikhiya.org and we will get back to you within 48 hours.
- I am facing a challenge in uploading the video?
The video can be easily recorded through any phone and can be uploaded directly on the form. Steps to upload the video is as under:
- Record your video on your device.
- Open PYLP Application Formand click on ‘Add File’ button.
- You can either upload a file from your computer/phone or pick one available in your Google Drive.
- Click on the ‘Submit’ button once your file has been successfully uploaded.
- What should be the title of my video?
The title of the video should be “PYLP 2024 Application <Your Full Name>”
- What are the necessary documents to be submitted with the application form?
You are required to complete the online Application Form and attach your CV along with it. Only online applications will be accepted.
Selection Process
- What is the selection process?
- On submitting the online application form, applicants will be shortlisted as per the eligibility criteria and their alignment with the Program.
- Shortlisted applicants will have to complete a pre-work, the details of which will be communicated separately through email and/or phone.
- Upon evaluation of the pre-work, shortlisted applicants will be invited for group activities and interviews.
- An offer will be made to the applicants selected in the interview by the last week of June 2024.
- When do I expect to hear about my selection once I complete the application form?
Successful candidates will be contacted within 15 days of submission of their application.
- In case of any query how should I reach out to anyone at Punjab Youth Leaders Program?
You can call us at +91 8146740988 (Monday-Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm). You can also write to us at pylpselections@sanjhisikhiya.org and expect a reply within 48 hours.
