ShikshaNext selects 11 EdTech solutions to enhance learning for 13 million children

Supported by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Reliance Foundation, and Gates Foundation, the three-year ShikshaNext initiative has identified 11 EdTech and AI solutions to improve learning for children aged 4 to 10 in India. Backed by INR 170 crore, the program is designed to scale these tools through existing government education systems. By 2029, the initiative aims to reach over 13 million children, creating new educational opportunities through the thoughtful application of technology.

The program is organized around three pillars: EdTech ScaleX, EdTech Accelerator, and the EdTech & AI Innovation Hub. Within EdTech ScaleX, five solutions are being implemented after proving their impact through independent research. These include gamified mobile apps, WhatsApp-based home learning, and programs that help parents support their children’s schooling. Each tool has been vetted to ensure it effectively serves the needs of its young users and their families.

Alongside the ScaleX projects, six additional solutions have joined the EdTech Accelerator for further refinement. This group includes AI-based tutoring tools and personalized learning chatbots that are currently undergoing various stages of testing. The primary objective is to gather the evidence necessary to eventually introduce these technologies into classrooms across India on a larger scale.

Generating reliable evidence is central to ShikshaNext, as the initiative seeks to understand how these tools perform in real-world educational settings. By assessing both effectiveness and ease of integration, the program ensures that its solutions remain responsive to students, teachers, and parents alike. This approach reflects a broader commitment from the supporting foundations to use technology in a way that is both responsible and inclusive.

Moving forward, ShikshaNext intends to build collaboration between stakeholders to improve learning outcomes through these new tools. The successful rollout of these EdTech solutions has the potential to change educational practices across India, benefiting millions of children in the coming years. Meanwhile, the development of AI-driven tools continues to offer ways to strengthen teaching and improve student experiences in classrooms with limited resources.