Friday, December 05, 2025

India’s Big Leap in Gender-Transformative ICT Education: SCERT Uttarakhand’s Work Featured in UNESCO Global Guide

Technology is reshaping education faster than ever before. But the true progress happens when digital transformation is inclusive, equitable, and gender-responsive—ensuring that girls are equally empowered to participate, create, innovate, and lead. In this direction, India has achieved a remarkable milestone.

UNESCO IITE has released its global publication,
“Guide for Educators to Support Gender Transformative Integration of ICT and AI into Secondary and TVET Classrooms in the Global South.”
The guide features real case studies from 10 countries, showcasing practical approaches for making ICT and AI education more gender-inclusive.

Among these examples, the efforts of SCERT Uttarakhand have been recognized through a detailed case study featured on pages 104–107 of the guide

Guidelines-Gender-ICT-Global-So… 

Source: UNESCO Institute  for Information Technologies in Education

This case study highlights how Uttarakhand is building pathways for girls to enter STEM, ICT, and AI learning confidently.

What the Case Study Highlights

The UNESCO guide documents several impactful initiatives led by Ramesh Prasad Badoni, IT Faculty, SCERT Uttarakhand, including:

  • Uttarakhand Techno Fair—a platform where girls showcase digital innovations, AI-based solutions, and ICT skills.
  • School-level ICT challenges encourage girls to participate in problem-solving and creative technology projects.
  • Hands-on training and mentoring, boosting girls’ confidence in using digital tools.

  • Community and teacher engagement, breaking stereotypes, and encouraging families to support girls in technology fields.

These efforts demonstrate how “digital inclusion” becomes meaningful when girls are empowered not only to use technology but to create with it.


Why This Matters for India

The UNESCO publication emphasizes that ICT and AI can accelerate gender equality only when educators adopt a gender-transformative approach. SCERT Uttarakhand’s model shows how schools in the Global South—despite resource limitations—can create supportive, inspiring environments for girls to excel in technology.

This recognition reflects India’s broader commitment under:

  • National Education Policy 2020

  • Samagra Shiksha digital initiatives

  • Digital India and AI-for-All movement

It also encourages educators across the country to foster safe, inclusive, stereotype-free learning spaces where every girl can pursue STEM and AI without fear or bias.



Message Received from UNESCO Team

UNESCO and Istidama Consulting shared their appreciation:

“Your work supporting girls and women in tech is inspiring. We are glad that your experiences will help educators across the Global South.”

A Proud Moment for SCERT Uttarakhand

This achievement not only showcases the state’s pioneering initiatives but also motivates schools, teachers, and administrators across India to strengthen gender-equitable ICT classrooms.

As India moves forward, empowering girls in digital skills, AI, and innovation will play a transformative role in shaping an inclusive, skilled, tech-ready generation.

For more details: Click here    For complete guide, click here 

Message from Director Academic, Bandana Garbyal

"It is a matter of immense pride that SCERT Uttarakhand’s pioneering work in ICT and AI integration has been recognized globally by UNESCO. This achievement reflects our collective vision of empowering every learner, especially girls, with digital confidence and future-ready skills. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the team and reaffirm our commitment to building inclusive, equitable, and technology-enabled classrooms across the state."

Message from Additional Director, Padmendra Saklani

"The inclusion of SCERT Uttarakhand’s case study in UNESCO’s global guide is a testimony to the dedication and innovation of our educators. ICT and AI are not just tools but transformative enablers of equity in education. I commend the leadership and efforts that have brought Uttarakhand to the global stage and look forward to scaling these practices across all schools."

Message from Deputy Director,  Ajeet Bhandari

"This recognition by UNESCO is a milestone for Uttarakhand’s education system. It highlights how our initiatives in ICT fairs, innovation challenges, and techno-fests have created opportunities for girls to thrive in digital learning. I congratulate the team for their vision and perseverance, and I am confident that these efforts will inspire many more educators to embrace technology for inclusive growth."

Message from Assistant Director, Dr. K. N. Bijalwan

"The global acknowledgment of SCERT Uttarakhand’s work in ICT and AI integration is both an honor and a responsibility. It shows that with creativity, commitment, and inclusivity, we can bridge the digital divide and empower learners. I extend my best wishes to all educators and stakeholders who have contributed to this journey, and I look forward to strengthening our mission of digital literacy and AI readiness in education."