Delhi’s Education Minister Ashish Sood has made headlines by announcing that the capital will adopt a Gujarat-inspired, technology-rich education model in its government schools. But what exactly is this Gujarat model that has so impressed policymakers in Delhi?
Smart Classrooms at Scale
At the core of Gujarat’s education transformation is an aggressive rollout of smart classrooms across government schools. According to official figures, Gujarat has established over one lakh smart classrooms, equipped with interactive smart boards, digital content, and advanced multimedia teaching tools. Even in flood-prone districts, Gujarat managed to deploy these resources, ensuring that learning continues despite weather disruptions.
During recent visit to Surat’s Suman High School No. 6 in Udhna, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood was able to see this firsthand. He reviewed classes taught on smart boards and interacted with students demonstrating projects involving drones, 3D printing, and sophisticated security sensors.
“This initiative will not only improve the quality of education in government schools but also give students practical exposure to future-ready technologies,” Sood told reporters after observing classes in Surat.
AI and Robotics Labs
A standout feature of Gujarat’s tech-driven approach is the introduction of artificial intelligence and robotics labs at the school level. These labs allow students to learn the basics of coding, robotics assembly, and AI-driven automation, making them familiar with tools that could shape tomorrow’s job market.
At Suman High School, for instance, students proudly demonstrated drone navigation and 3D printing prototypes, giving Sood a clear sense of how project-based learning is taking root in Gujarat.
Integrated NEP Vision
Gujarat’s education revamp is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which calls for multidisciplinary, flexible, and technology-aided learning. Sood acknowledged this during his visit:
“An advanced education system featuring AI, smart boards, and robotics—on the lines of Gujarat—will soon be implemented in Delhi’s schools as well,” he declared.
Experts say Gujarat has taken a structured approach to rolling out the NEP, combining curriculum reforms with teacher training to ensure technology is used meaningfully rather than as a showpiece.
Teacher Empowerment
While technology is a big part of Gujarat’s model, another pillar has been teacher capacity-building. Through regular upskilling programs, teachers are trained to use smart boards, operate lab equipment, and guide students through hands-on tech projects. This focus on teachers has been crucial in making the model work on the ground.
A Template for Delhi?
Delhi currently has only a few hundred smart boards across thousands of government schools, as Sood pointed out while criticizing the previous administration. In contrast, Gujarat’s scale and consistency have become a benchmark.
However, replicating this success will not be easy. Delhi faces major challenges, including funding, teacher retraining, and equitable access for students across different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Still, Sood’s open admiration of Gujarat’s achievements suggests Delhi is serious about adopting a future-focused, technology-first education strategy. As the minister put it:
“The self-proclaimed Delhi model of the AAP government and its Education Minister, who went to jail over the liquor scam, have completely failed,” he alleged, contrasting Delhi’s current status with Gujarat’s progress.
What Lies Ahead
For Delhi’s nearly 16 lakh government school students, the promise of drones, 3D printing, robotics, and AI in the classroom could represent a radical shift — if implemented successfully. Whether Delhi can build on Gujarat’s template while addressing local challenges will be the real test in the coming months.
