Providing equitable effective EdTech access to first-generation digital learners
Anchored by British Asian Trust, GiveIndia, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and Sattva Consulting
The Bharat EdTech Initiative has successfully onboarded 117,000 students from underprivileged families on their EdTech platform as part of their mission to bridge the learning loss. Through effective, equitable access to EdTech, the initiative is supporting students with the necessary tools to bridge the learning losses of the last two years as they go back to school in April 2022. These results have been achieved across ten states within five months of initiating on-ground efforts. Students have the flexibility to learn anytime and anywhere in a language of their choice (9 languages).
As per World Bank, 70% of children are living in learning poverty globally post the COVID pandemic. The prolonged school closures and poor results in learning have largely contributed to this rise. Bharat EdTech initiative (BEI) aims to bridge these learning losses by making digital learning accessible to all students across India through proven EdTech solutions.
This nationwide initiative is steered by four organisations that offer strategic guidance on the overall management and execution of the Initiative. Sattva Consulting is the lead anchor of the initiative. The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and British Asian Trust are lead donors, while GiveIndia supports with donor relationships and fund management.
Speaking about the achievement of this milestone, Rathish Balakrishnan, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Sattva Consulting, said, “Our efforts towards improving learning outcomes for students in India have made significant progress over the last couple of months. And, we are delighted to be able to reach this milestone in such a short period. Through proven EdTech solutions, we aim to continue working towards bridging the digital learning divide and unlock the potential of every student.”
BEI is focusing on bridging the learning losses for students aged 9-17 (Grade 1-12) from low-income households with monthly incomes up to INR 25,000. Through various initiatives like the HardWare Pilot that provides dedicated learning devices to students, BEI is ensuring students have the tools to improve learning levels.
Speaking about BEI’s impact, Prachi Jain Windlass, Director, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation India, said, “BEI’s intends to provide a platform to learn anytime and anywhere beyond and in addition to school-based learning. Our EdTech partners have been selected based on their track record and suitability to the target population. We believe that as the world enters a unique phase of blended learning, resilience and reflection can help EdTech become a catalyst for high-quality, universal education.”
BEI’s approach to bridging the digital divide is uniquely positioned to impact results at scale across India. The approach uses a unique blend of access, engagement, measurement, and learning.
“Bharat EdTech Initiative functions with an innovative, outcome-based funding model, working with the three pillars: community, capital, and proven products. Utilising these three pillars, we aim to improve learning outcomes through collective action and efforts. We are positive that the initiative will be a resounding success going by how Phase 1 has fared. Beyond Phase I, Bharat EdTech Initiative aims to build an ecosystem of enabling capabilities that would continue engagement on the platform beyond school reopening through these pillars,” added Abha Thorat Shah, Executive Director, Social Finance at British Asian Trust.
The initiative is a collaborative of 36 partner organisations across philanthropy, social impact, EdTech, finance, and monitoring & evaluation. These organisations support the Bharat EdTech Initiative (BEI) in several capacities and categories, such as fundraising, educational technologies, nonprofit organisations, monitoring and evaluation, financial management, marketing communications, and program management.
“An innovative, outcome-based funding model is used by the Bharat EdTech Initiative to drive social impact. By using innovative finance in conjunction with community engagement, BEI aims to enhance learning outcomes for students across India,” says Sumit Tayal, COO, GiveIndia.
Follow the Bharat EdTech Initiative
Website: bharatedtechinitiative.org
Instagram: @BharatEdTechInitiative
Twitter: @EdtechBharat
Facebook: @bharatedtechinitiative
LinkedIn: @BharatEdtechInitiative
About Bharat Edtech Initiative (BEI)
Bharat Edtech Initiative aims to bridge the digital divide in education in India. The initiative is focused on improving learning outcomes for children from low-income households by leveraging the power of EdTech. By 2025, BEI aspires to enable digital access to 1 million, first-generation digital learners in India and demonstrate improved learning outcomes. BEI plans to do this by ensuring equitable access to effective EdTech solutions at scale. BEI’s objective is to complement classroom teaching with at-home learning, making it a permanent feature of education among the economically underprivileged.
We are working with partners working across various industries, such as philanthropy, social impact, EdTech, finance, and analytics who support us in bridging the learning loss and providing effective EdTech solutions.
BEI Partners
EdTech: Byjus, ConveGenius, EI, Toppr, Vedantu, Barefoot Education, Claylab,
Dream School Foundation
Non-profit: Barefoot Education, Claylab, Dream School Foundation, GVT
Light of Life Trust, Makkala Jagrithi, Masoom Foundation, Milaan Foundation,
People for Action – Transform for Schools
Measurement & Evaluation: ConveGenius Insights, Ei Detailed Assessments,
Trivium
Donors: Altassian, Aramco, Barclays, Benevity, British Asian Trust, Cipla
Danaher Foundation, Deutsche Telekom, Games 24X7, Goldman Sachs Gives,
Google, Intuit, Matta New York, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, PLT Health Solutions, Punch Foundation
Marketing communication: Gnothi Seauton
Fundraising and Fund Management: GiveIndia
Programme Management: Sattva
