Bekham: It wasn’t the roar of stadiums or the flash of cameras that made headlines in Visakhapatnam, this week it was the smiles of schoolgirls and the quiet inspiration of a legend in the making. David Beckham, football icon and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, traded cleats for classrooms as he walked into MJPAPBCWREIS, a girls’ residential school in Kothavalasa, Andhra Pradesh, and experienced firsthand the magic of hands-on learning.
Learning beyond textbooks
Beckham witnessed a revolutionary approach known as Project-Based Learning (PBL), where classrooms transform into playgrounds of creativity and curiosity. Instead of long lectures, students were building science models, solving real-world math challenges, and presenting art and innovation projects. With over 18,000 students across 107 residential schools in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Nagaland embracing this method, PBL is proving that learning can be both practical and fun.
Celebrating creativity and confidence
Walking through a lively student exhibition, Beckham was visibly impressed by the ingenuity and pride of the children. Handmade musical instruments, innovative science experiments, and colorful art projects lined the corridors. He didn’t just observe he interacted, laughed, asked questions, and cheered each student on. On Instagram, he summed it up perfectly: “Great day in India going back to school so much fun.”
Lessons in life and responsibility
The day went beyond academics. Beckham joined the students in a tree-planting drive, with saplings tagged digitally to merge environmental awareness and technology. He also participated in a reading circle, listening to the girls share their favorite books and dreams, proving that education is about confidence, creativity, and life skills, not just grades.
From classrooms to playgrounds
Of course, it wouldn’t be Beckham without a football session. On the playground, the legend led a spirited one-touch football drill, filling the air with energy and laughter. Students and staff alike soaked in the joy of a day that combined learning, play, and inspiration in equal measure.
A visit that will stay forever
Beckham’s visit wasn’t just about a celebrity making an appearance. It was a gentle reminder that education can be vibrant, hands-on, and empowering. For the girls of MJPAPBCWREIS, this day will be remembered not for the fame, but for the encouragement, the smiles, and the belief that their dreams are valid and that someone from across the world believes in them too.
Sometimes, the most powerful goals aren’t scored on a football field they’re scored in classrooms, hearts, and the limitless possibilities of young minds.