Smart Schools in 217 Mumbai locations activated as part of the 'Smart School-Smart Block' initiative by BMC and Sampark Foundation
In a significant stride towards enhancing educational quality, the Sampark Foundation, in partnership with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has launched the Smart School-Smart Block program. The initiative aims to transform 273 classrooms into dynamic smart learning spaces in 217 schools across Mumbai, benefiting 3,078 students and 434 teachers.
The program, which was inaugurated by Mr. Bhushan Gagrani, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator, BMC, at the Commissioner's Office, features Sampark FLN TV - a tech-enabled solution for Classes 1 to 5. Each Sampark FLN TV device comes pre-loaded with over 1,000 hours of offline content, designed to improve foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) outcomes.
The Smart School-Smart Block program has shown promising effectiveness in Mumbai government schools. Reports suggest a 20 percent improvement in student learning outcomes, with over 75% of students reporting better conceptual understanding through smart classes. Additionally, 83% of students demonstrated strong collaboration skills, and 75% showed improved communication.
This initiative builds on Sampark Foundation’s broader work in Maharashtra, where over 14,000 classrooms have been converted into smart classrooms, and nearly 10,000 teachers have been trained, indicating a solid track record in enhancing educational quality through technology-driven pedagogy.
The program emphasizes extensive teacher training to embed innovative teaching-learning materials and pedagogy, a critical factor in its effectiveness. The training includes educating teachers, master trainers, and education officials.
The Smart School-Smart Block program is more than just a technological intervention. It involves community engagement initiatives to build a strong, supportive learning ecosystem.
Dr. K. Rajeswara Rao, Chairman of Sampark Foundation, and Vineet Nayar, Founder & Chairman of Sampark Foundation, were among the dignitaries present at the inauguration. Dr. Amit Saini, Additional Municipal Commissioner, BMC, was also in attendance.
The program will be reviewed monthly at district and block levels to ensure continuous improvement and effectiveness. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has joined a program led by Sampark Foundation to strengthen foundational learning across the state.
The Smart School-Smart Block program has driven notable gains in FLN outcomes, with learning levels improving from 23% to 43% between 2024 and 2025. The program has impacted over 1.8 crore children across more than 1.4 lakh government schools nationwide. With its focus on technology, teacher capacity building, and community engagement, the Smart School-Smart Block program is set to revolutionize education in Mumbai.
The Smart School-Smart Block program, aimed at transforming traditional classrooms, also includes online education resources such as Sampark FLN TV, offering over 1,000 hours of offline content to improve foundational learning. This initiative, led by the Sampark Foundation in partnership with the BMC, also focuses on education-and-self-development by encouraging collaboration and communication skills among students. The program is not only a technological intervention but also involves community engagement initiatives to foster a strong, supportive learning ecosystem.
