DRASS, NOVEMBER 18: M3M Foundation has partnered with the Army Goodwill School Drass, supported by the Indian Army, to bring digital learning to one of India’s most remote and challenging regions. This initiative includes the installation of nine smart classrooms at Drass, Ladakh.
Located at an altitude of 10,800 feet, Drass, often referred to as the “Gateway to Ladakh” and one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, faces unique educational challenges due to its severe winters and rugged terrain.
This transformative initiative benefits 290 students and 17 teachers by equipping the school with interactive flat panels, smartboards, and digital learning content. These tools aim to bridge the educational divide in this isolated area, empowering children with modern learning capabilities to thrive in the 21st century.
“We are honoured to have our pro bono collaboration with the Army in Drass to extend digital learning and enhanced infrastructure to more schools in need across this region. It is truly fulfilling to see the Indian Army’s vision of transforming AGS Drass into a model digital school come to life. This initiative marks the beginning of a new chapter, bringing 21st-century learning to all Army Goodwill Schools in Ladakh. I believe that organizations like ours have a crucial role in fostering effective public-private partnerships, aligning with the government’s vision of nation-building and national security,” said Dr. Payal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee of M3M Foundation.
“The installation of these smart classrooms marks a significant milestone for the students of Drass. This initiative will not only elevate the quality of education but also provide our students with essential digital skills to succeed in the 21st century. We are proud to partner with M3M Foundation to bring advanced learning tools to this remote and challenging region,” said an AGS official.
For content, M3M Foundation is collaborating with iDream Education, a Gurgaon-based edtech organization. iDream Education has developed the iPAL and iPrep content, featuring multiple tests and audio-video learning tools for students from kindergarten to Grade 12 in multiple languages. Teachers expressed great enthusiasm for this initiative, and M3M Foundation announced that each teacher would receive a tablet to effectively integrate digital learning into their classrooms.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan, Managing Trustee and President of M3M Foundation, along with Lt Col Peter, Lt Col Rajesh Bandhe, and Major Harvinder Singh of the Indian Army. The event was led by the students of Drass—over 300 children from kindergarten to Grade 8—who now have access to interactive and engaging learning content.
