J.H. Tarapore School and People For Change Launch CLAP — A Ground breaking Climate Leadership Program for Students
Jamshedpur, May 8, 2025 — In a transformative step toward integrating environmental education with youth leadership, J.H. Tarapore School, in collaboration with the youth-centric non-profit People For Change, has launched CLAP – Climate Leadership in Action Program. Designed as a year-long engagement, CLAP is an innovative, immersive climate education and leadership initiative for students from Standards 1 to 12.
Rooted in the core belief that children and young people are not just future leaders but leaders of today, CLAP aims to build climate-conscious change makers by equipping students with knowledge, empathy, and skills to understand climate science, explore environmental justice, and take meaningful local action. The program is one of the first of its kind in Jharkhand to position climate change through a leadership and justice lens in a structured school-based curriculum.
Four Pillars of CLAP:
Knowledge to Action – Building foundational climate literacy and translating it into real-life projects.
Youth Leadership – Cultivating leadership skills that empower students to take initiative and lead change.
Justice and Equity – Encouraging critical thinking on issues of climate justice, marginalization, and fairness.
Empathy and Sustainability – Fostering care for the planet and its people through responsible choices.
Interactive Learning: Weather vs. Climate
The program commenced with the first module, “Weather vs. Climate”, where:
Primary students created weather wheels and discussed daily weather conditions while exploring personal safety tips for extreme summer heat.
Middle and high school students participated in quizzes, debates, and hands-on projects focused on energy conservation and sustainable choices. They were able to analyse how sustainable choices can impact the climate positively.
“We made a solar oven from a pizza box! It was fun and I learned how the sun can be used to cook. I never knew this before,” said a student of Class 7, beaming with pride.
Projects and Impact:
Primary section students’ understanding of climate vocabulary grew by 60% through visual tools and daily weather observation activities.
“Our students are thinking critically about the world around them. CLAP is not just a program; it’s a mindset shift,” shared Mrs. Lata Sharat, Principal of J.H. Tarapore School.
The program has also impacted teachers and parents. “My daughter now insists we segregate waste at home and has started composting kitchen waste. she’s influencing us all,” said a parent of a Class 6 student.
What’s Ahead: A Year of Thematic Exploration
CLAP will unfold in twelve powerful themes over the academic year, covering:
Global Warming and Its Impacts
Renewable Energy and Green Technology
Urbanization and Pollution
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Disruption
Climate Justice and Equity
Waste Management and Recycling
Role of Youth in Climate Action
…and more.
About People For Change
People For Change, founded by development professional Souvik Saha, is a youth- and rights-centered organization working across East and West Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand. The organization focuses on gender, climate, and well-being, empowering children, adolescents, and marginalized communities through participatory education, leadership development, and grassroots action. CLAP is an extension of their long-standing commitment to amplifying youth voice in climate discourse and making education relevant, experiential, and transformative.
Why CLAP Matters
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time—and young people are on the frontlines. CLAP responds to the urgent need to deepen climate literacy, foster intergenerational responsibility, and build an ecosystem where youth lead change.
As Souvik Saha, Founder of People For Change, remarked:
“We’re not just teaching children about climate change—we’re building a movement of young leaders who can imagine and build a more just, sustainable world.”
CLAP stands as a powerful testament to what’s possible when schools and civil society collaborate with purpose, creativity, and commitment.
