News: Union Minister Dr. Sukanta Majumdar distributed footballs at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dakshin Dinajpur, under the Football for Schools initiative.
About Football for Schools (F4S) Programme
- The Football for Schools Programme is run by FIFA in collaboration with UNESCO to promote education through football.
- Launched in: It was launched in mid-2019 with pilot projects in Puerto Rico and Lebanon.
- Initiative By: It is run by FIFA in collaboration with UNESCO.
- Implemented by: In India, it is implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, with support from the All India Football Federation and the Sports Authority of India.
- Nodal Agencies: Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan serve as designated nodal institutions.
- Aim: The programme aims to contribute to the education, development, and empowerment of around 700 million children.
- Objective: It seeks to make football accessible to both boys and girls by integrating football activities into the education system.
- Policy Alignment: It aligns with UNESCO’s Kazan Action Plan, Education 2030 Framework, and WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity.
- Nationwide coverage: Football for Schools (F4S) programme has achieved nationwide coverage, successfully reaching 33 States and Union Territories as of March 2026.
