Deadline: 25-May-2026
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) initiative in Rajasthan focuses on improving foundational and advanced learning in science and mathematics at the school level. It is aligned with national education reforms such as the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
The programme emphasizes competency-based education, teacher capacity building, and scalable classroom models to improve conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking among adolescents.
Programme Objectives and Focus Areas
The initiative aims to strengthen education systems and improve student learning outcomes through:
- Competency-based science and mathematics education
- Experiential and activity-based learning approaches
- Teacher training and pedagogical strengthening
- Curriculum alignment with national education frameworks
- Conceptual understanding and critical thinking development
- Problem-solving and computational thinking skills
- Inclusive pedagogy and equitable learning practices
- Technology integration in classroom teaching
- Teacher mentoring and continuous professional development
- Classroom model innovation and replication
- Evidence generation and data-driven education improvement
- Supportive supervision and school-level academic support
Target Group and Geographic Focus
The programme primarily targets:
- Students in grades 6 to 8
- Adolescents in Rajasthan, India
- Government and rural school systems
- Teachers, school heads, and academic support personnel
Key stakeholders include:
- Department of Education, Rajasthan
- Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan Rajasthan
- State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT)
- UNICEF implementation partners
Education Context and Challenges
The programme addresses several systemic challenges in Rajasthan’s education system:
- Weak foundational numeracy and literacy skills
- Declining performance in higher grades in science and mathematics
- Limited access to digital infrastructure and smart classrooms
- Low retention rates in secondary education
- Gender disparities in STEM participation
- Insufficient teacher training and mentoring systems
- Rural-urban disparities in learning outcomes
- Rising demand for STEM skills in the digital economy
Programme Strategy and Approach
The intervention is designed to strengthen both teaching and learning systems through:
- Development of scalable classroom models for STEM education
- Teacher training manuals and structured capacity-building programmes
- Pilot interventions in selected districts (Dungarpur and Sirohi)
- Institutionalization of teacher mentoring systems
- Integration of ICT and digital tools in classrooms
- Strengthening of SCERT and district-level academic support systems
Implementation Scale and Reach
The pilot programme is designed to reach:
- 75 schools across selected geographies
- 3,750 direct student beneficiaries
- 10,500 indirect student beneficiaries
- 225 teachers and school heads trained
- 160 State Resource Group (SRG) members trained
- 120 district-level Key Resource Personnel (KRP) engaged
Funding Details
- Indicative budget: USD 25,000
- Funding type: Technical assistance and education system strengthening support
- Focus: Capacity building, pilot implementation, and model development
Expected Outcomes
The programme is expected to deliver:
- Improved student performance in science and mathematics
- Stronger conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities
- Enhanced teacher capacity and pedagogical skills
- Scalable and replicable classroom teaching models
- Better alignment with competency-based education frameworks
- Increased use of technology in teaching and learning
- Strengthened institutional education support systems
Why This Programme Matters
This UNICEF initiative addresses critical learning gaps in science and mathematics education in Rajasthan, where many students lack foundational skills needed for future academic and career success. By strengthening teacher capacity and introducing competency-based learning models, the programme supports long-term improvements in educational quality and equity, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
How the Programme Works
- UNICEF issues a Call for Expression of Interest for implementing partners
- Selected partners collaborate with state education authorities and SCERT
- Teacher training tools and classroom models are co-developed
- Pilot interventions are implemented in selected schools
- Continuous monitoring and evidence collection guide improvements
- Successful models are refined for potential scale-up across the state
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on content delivery instead of competency-based learning
- Weak integration with state education systems and SCERT frameworks
- Lack of measurable learning outcome indicators
- Insufficient teacher engagement or mentoring design
- Overlooking rural and inclusive education needs
- Limited scalability planning for classroom models
Tips for a Strong Application
- Align strongly with NEP 2020 and NCF 2023 frameworks
- Emphasize teacher training and classroom transformation
- Include clear monitoring and learning outcome metrics
- Design scalable and replicable teaching models
- Ensure inclusive pedagogy for diverse learners
- Demonstrate strong collaboration with education authorities
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the UNICEF Rajasthan education programme?
- It is a teacher and classroom development initiative focused on science and mathematics education for grades 6–8
- It aims to improve learning outcomes through competency-based education
- What is the main goal of the programme?
- To strengthen teacher capacity and improve student learning in STEM subjects
- To develop scalable classroom teaching models
- How many schools are involved?
- 75 schools are part of the pilot intervention
- How many beneficiaries are expected?
- 3,750 direct students and 10,500 indirect students
- 225 teachers and school heads involved
- What is the funding amount?
- Approximately USD 25,000
Conclusion
The UNICEF Rajasthan initiative aims to transform science and mathematics education through competency-based learning, teacher strengthening, and scalable classroom innovation. By addressing systemic gaps and improving instructional quality, the programme seeks to enhance foundational learning outcomes and prepare students for future academic and economic opportunities.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
