- The Asian Development Bank has partnered with Schoolnet India Limited to improve learning outcomes in India through a $10 million financing package.
- The initiative aims to strengthen digital education infrastructure in government schools and directly benefit approximately 4.5 million students.
30,000 Government Schools to Benefit
The Schoolnet Digital Learning Project intends to expand digital education facilities in approximately 30,000 government schools across India.
The project seeks to address major infrastructure gaps that still exist in school education.
According to ADB:
- Only 26% of schools have computer laboratories.
- Only 29% possess smart classrooms.
The project aims to significantly improve these figures.
Major Infrastructure Targets
Under the initiative:
- Computer laboratories will be installed in at least 1,000 schools.
- Around 58,000 digital classrooms will be established.
- Technology-enabled learning systems will be introduced.
- Schools will receive modern digital education infrastructure.
Teacher Training Gets Major Attention
The project emphasizes teacher capacity building alongside technology deployment.
At least 56,000 teachers will receive training in:
- Digital pedagogy.
- Technology-enabled teaching.
- Classroom innovation.
- Inclusive education practices.
This training aims to improve learning outcomes and classroom effectiveness.
Support for National Education Policy 2020
The initiative aligns with India’s:
National Education Policy 2020
The policy emphasizes:
- Technology integration.
- Digital learning.
- Skill development.
- Equitable education access.
- Teacher development.
Funding Structure
The financing package includes:
- $5 million loan from LEAP 2
- Managed by ADB.
- Supported through a $1.5 billion commitment from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
This funding model encourages private-sector participation in education infrastructure.
ADB’s First Private Education Financing in India
According to:
Mio Oka
This is ADB’s first private-sector financing transaction for a digital education project in India.
ADB believes the investment will:
- Accelerate digital transformation.
- Promote inclusive education.
- Encourage innovation.
- Develop scalable school infrastructure.
About ADB
The Asian Development Bank was established in 1966 and has:
- 69 member countries.
- 50 members from Asia and the Pacific region.
- A mandate to support economic and social development.
ADB finances projects related to:
- Infrastructure.
- Education.
- Energy.
- Transport.
- Climate.
- Social development.