“Delhi’s government is revolutionizing education with a new scheme to equip all schools with smart classrooms, AI, and robotics. Aimed at enhancing learning, the initiative includes 7,000 smart classrooms, 175 digital libraries, and 100 language labs by year-end, inspired by Gujarat’s model, to boost technology access and educational quality for students.”
Delhi’s Bold Plan to Transform Schools with Digital Classrooms
Delhi’s education sector is set for a major overhaul as the government rolls out an ambitious scheme to introduce digital classrooms across all government schools. Announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the initiative aims to establish 7,000 smart classrooms, 175 digital libraries, and 100 A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Language Labs offering instruction in English, French, and German by the end of 2025. The announcement came during a meeting with school principals in Shalimar Bagh, signaling a strong push toward modernizing education infrastructure.
Education Minister Ashish Sood, drawing inspiration from Gujarat’s education model, emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), smart boards, and robotics to enhance learning outcomes. During a recent visit to a state-run school in Surat, Sood observed Gujarat’s advanced use of smart boards and AI and robotics labs, where students engaged in projects involving drones, 3D printers, and sensor-based security systems. He noted that Gujarat, despite challenges like annual floods, has successfully implemented over 1.1 lakh smart classrooms, while Delhi’s government schools currently have only a few hundred.
The initiative also includes relaunching 75 government schools as CM-Shri schools, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and experiential learning models. These schools will serve as flagships for the digital classroom project, aiming to bridge the gap between Delhi’s resource-rich status and its lagging educational infrastructure. The move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes technology-driven and skill-based education to prepare students for a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Sood criticized the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, alleging that its much-touted “Delhi education model” failed to deliver substantial progress. He pointed out that despite AAP’s claims of building 22,700 smart classrooms, the ground reality revealed poorly constructed facilities, with some deteriorating within two years. Gupta echoed this, citing a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report flagging irregularities in classroom construction under the previous regime, with legal action promised to address these lapses.
The digital classroom scheme is part of a broader effort to ensure inclusive education. The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) recently announced a second round of admissions for Classes 10 and 12, targeting students who missed the March cycle, though this excludes specialized institutions like Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalayas and Schools of Excellence. Additionally, the DoE has mandated a uniform minimum age of six for Class 1 admissions starting from the 2026–27 session, aligning with NEP 2020’s focus on structured pre-primary education.
The government’s push for digital libraries and language labs aims to enhance students’ exposure to modern technologies and global skills. The language labs, named after A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, will offer specialized instruction to improve communication skills, a critical component of employability. Meanwhile, digital libraries will provide students with access to vast online resources, fostering self-paced learning and research capabilities.
However, challenges remain. Critics argue that the ambitious timeline for rolling out 7,000 smart classrooms by year-end may strain resources and require robust implementation to avoid the pitfalls of past initiatives. The government has promised to address these concerns by adopting best practices from states like Gujarat and ensuring stakeholder involvement. The DoE has invited feedback from teachers, parents, and school management committees to make the transition inclusive and effective.
The scheme also comes amid broader education reforms in Delhi, including stricter regulations on private school fee hikes and efforts to curb malpractices like schools employing bouncers to intimidate parents over unpaid fees. These measures reflect the government’s commitment to making education accessible and equitable while leveraging technology to prepare students for future challenges.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports and official statements from the Delhi government and the Directorate of Education. Information has been sourced from reputable publications such as The Hindu, Times of India, and Oneindia News. The details provided are accurate as of July 3, 2025, and reflect the latest available data. Readers are advised to verify updates through official channels.