Working with corporates and corporate foundations to transform education through updated technology and content in high schools

Implementation Partner

About the Program:

The vital role that technology plays in present-day education is undeniable. However, a large population of individuals have limited or no access to technology and thereby miss out on important educational content.

HP ALFA (Accessible Learning for All) Project is one such unique initiative launched by HP India to reduce this digital divide and empower students across Government and Government-aided schools with smart classrooms, further improving their access to digital learning. As part of the project, HP India aims to set up over 2000 smart classrooms pan-India in partnership with like-minded Corporate / Corporate Foundations having similar intent of driving educational interventions as part of their CSR strategy.

Each HP ALFA smart classroom will contain digital screens, content devices, computing devices, printers and other equipment to integrate technology into learning. The project will also conduct teacher-training programs in all schools to help them effectively use the training material and digital classrooms. This program also hopes to foster entrepreneurship among students of higher grades which will help them to begin their entrepreneurial journey. HP India has engaged with NIIT Foundation as an NGO partner to help drive the project on the ground, whereas BYJU'S has been engaged as a content partner to provide e-content for classroom learning.

Who can Apply?

Corporates, and Corporate Foundations, working with Government and Government-aided schools that have senior classes (Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12) in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Daman & Diu, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand can apply to participate in HP ALFA (Accessible Learning for All) Project.

There should be a recommendation of at least 20-25 schools, in one district, from the states mentioned above that the applicant wishes to apply for the project. Preference will be given to schools that currently lack similar digital classroom infrastructure.

Target Beneficiaries:

The beneficiaries would a students from classes 9-12 of Government or Government aided schools across defined locations. The HP ALFA (Accessible Learning for All) Project wants to ensure that these students utilize the digital content and e-learning tools to the maximum and add further value to their learning journey.

The project wishes to support teachers at these schools in presenting digital content in various formats to make learning engaging. The project intends to provide students with more information to help them make better decisions about their careers and professional lives.

Geographies Being Addressed:

The plan is to roll out the project across India. In the first phase, we will be focusing on underserved regions in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Daman & Diu, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.

Selection Criterion:

HP ALFA (Accessible Learning for All) Project aims to develop digital infrastructure within schools and empower teachers to practice technology-led teaching to help integrate technology in the classroom. It will help the teachers incorporate these practices, in lessons, for a profound demonstrable impact on school-going children to enable them to continue to walk their path of discovery and sustainable growth in life. Therefore, the project has specific criteria for the selection of the schools.

  • The project school should necessarily be Government or Government- aided High school/Sr. Secondary schools.
  • The applying Corporate/ Corporate Foundations should already be working in the selected schools and have a good presence in the schools or local communities.
  • Each school should have a minimum strength of 400 students from standard 9th to 12th.
  • Schools should have the space for setting up a digital classroom with teachers' readiness to facilitate students' learning in a digitalized environment.
  • The selected schools should have authorized electricity connections in the classroom, which will likely be converted into a digital classroom.
  • The selected schools should also have a minimum of 4G network connectivity inside the premises.

Partnership / Engagement Model:

Infrastructure Expenses

The complete Infrastructure Expenses for the program will be provided by HP, which would include IT equipment like – Smart TV, an Android box, a multi- function Printer, Webcam, a laptop for the teacher, and an internet dongle on- ground installation and deployment.

Content

E-content for class 9-12th school learning would be provided by BYJU'S completely free of cost

In addition to BYJU'S content, the project would also partner with respective State Boards, NCERT & CBSE to use their specified course content in vernacular languages across select locations wherever required.

Besides academics, additional programs and courses on EDP could also be offered by NIIT Foundation and be made available for students to aid their learning based on the requirement.

ON GROUND IMPLEMENTATION

The applying Corporate / Corporate Foundation and NIIT Foundation will jointly implement the project on the ground.

Operational Expenses

The applying Corporate / Corporate Foundation would bear the operational expenses of the project, which could include:

  1. Cost towards field resource/mobilizer who regularly visits the school (one field coordinator for every 5 schools).
  2. Repair and maintenance cost of equipment inside the lab.
  3. Fulfill basic infrastructure requirements for setting up the lab, including electricity connections and points, required seating arrangement for teachers and students, adequate lighting facility, attending to water seepage issues, and curtains for the labs.
  4. Cost towards MIS and reporting.

Expectations from Applying Organizations (Corporates / Corporate Foundations):

  • Corporate/ Corporate Foundation partners applying for this program should be actively involved in the undertaking and implementation of education-based CSR projects and be committed to their cause.
  • Corporate/ Corporate Foundation should be willing to take up Operational Expenses related to the project as stated above.
  • They should list 20-25 schools in one district they wish to apply for under the HP ALFA (Accessible Learning for All) project.
  • The recommended schools should be part of the existing CSR program of the Corporate/ Corporate Foundation partners.
  • They should be committed to working with higher classes, i.e., grades 9-12.
  • They should have an active ground team for project monitoring and necessary support.
  • The partner and their team would take on the responsibility to ensure 100% utilization of infrastructure properly.
  • The Corporate/ Corporate Foundation partners will be connected with the school faculty on the project utilization. They will submit a project progress report, required data, and impact case studies.

Last Date to Apply:

The last date to apply for the project is
20th August 2022

Project Launch Date:

The project will be officially launched on the
30th August 2022

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. How many school classrooms will get digitalized under this program?

Yes. The scholarship opportunity is open to Class 10th passed students as well as Undergraduate and ITI/Diploma students.

2. What subjects, languages and boards are covered under this program?

Following subjects, languages, classes, and boards are covered under this program
  • Class 8-10- Math, Science & SSC
  • Class 11-12- Commerce: Economic, Business Studies, Accountancy, Statistics, Math
  • Class 11-12- Science: Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology
  • Languages Covered- Hindi, English, along with local vernacular, if any.
  • Board Covered- Central: CBSE & ICSE and respective State Boards.

3. Is Teacher Training part of this program? If yes, what is the duration?

Teacher training is part of this program, which will be conducted for a duration of 4-5 hours.

4. What is the process, and how much time will it take to digitalize the classroom completely?

  • The corporate partner will submit signed consent from the school, indicating their willingness to implement the HP ALFA (Accessible Learning for All) School Digitalization Project in their respective schools.
  • Upon receiving a duly filled form from the Corporate/ Corporate Foundation, the NIIT Foundation team would shortlist the school based on pre-defined and set parameters.
  • Once shortlisted, Corporate/ Corporate Foundation would be notified for further action and engagement.
  • NIIT Foundation will initiate the process to implement the digital classroom in the school with active on-ground support from the corporates / corporate foundations.
  • The entire process will be completed within 30-60 days from the final selection of the school

5. What if any gadget stops working or there is a malfunction?

All hardware installed in the classroom is covered under a standard warranty for a fixed duration. Post the warranty period; the corporate/ corporate foundation would take care of the repair and maintenance of the hardware.

6. Is this School Digitalization Project free or paid for by the students?

HP ALFA (Accessible Learning for All) School Digitalization Project is free of cost for students. The schools or students will not have to pay any money.

7. Does the project offer any additional course/s besides academics?

Yes, additional programs and courses on EDP could be offered based on the requirement.

8. Does the school need to have any specific documentation or requirements to apply for this project?

Yes. The details have been mentioned in the school selection criteria of the webpage.

9. Can multiple branches of the same school group apply for this project?

No.

10. How many states are covered under this project?

16 states are covered under this project in the 1st phase of the project

11. What resources are offered under the HP ALFA (Accessible Learning for All) School Digitalization Project?

Schools eligible for the HP ALFA (Accessible Learning for All) Project will be provided with a complete digital classroom setup funded by HP, which would include IT equipment like – Smart TV, Android box, multi-function Printer, Webcam, and laptop for the teacher. HP, through NIIT Foundation as implementing partner, will also deploy cluster coordinators to monitor the project implementation and progression in a cluster

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