Microsoft and Ed4All partner with the world’s largest open school platform, National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to make learners job-ready

• The partnership will benefit 170 million learners in the open schooling system in India
• BLEAP® for NIOS, a first-of-its-kind customized tech platform for education transformation launched as part of this collaboration

New Delhi, September 2, 2021: Microsoft and Ed4All today announced a partnership with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to transform learning and empower students with digital skills. Through this partnership, Microsoft and Ed4All aim to reach over 170 million learners across the open schooling ecosystem, providing access to tools, experiences, and skills needed to be job-ready in a digital economy.

As part of this collaboration, Microsoft and Ed4All have launched a customized tech platform for the NIOS Virtual Open School, BLEAP® for NIOS, that provides learners a personalized learning experience for improved learning outcomes.  BLEAP® for NIOS brings together live classes and labs, recorded sessions, remote proctored exams and assessments along with skill-based courses and certifications to provide a holistic learning experience. Students across NIOS will also have access to digital courses on technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cyber security and data sciences among others.

Designed to create a better classroom experience that enables student success, the platform will provide easy-to-consume modules including live demos, hands-on workshops and assignments. BLEAP® for NIOS is built on the Microsoft stack of Teams, M365 and Azure, with security at the core.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, commenting on the launch of the NIOS Virtual Open School said, “Education is not a competition to acquire degrees, but a transformative tool. The government is working to ensure that internet reaches village schools across the country. NIOS Virtual School is a new model of learning and is an example how leveraging technology and innovation can facilitate greater inclusion in education. The school will provide advanced digital learning platforms through virtual live classrooms and virtual labs.”

Navtez Bal, Executive Director, Public Sector, Microsoft India, said, “Technology is playing a bigger role than ever in transforming education, improving learning outcomes and better preparing students for the new world of work. Our partnership with NIOS to empower over 170 million learners across the country is an important step in ensuring equity in education and skilling. As we rapidly move towards a digital economy, the skills of the future will look very different from the skills that are needed today. Along with Ed4All, we are committed to providing access to the technology, skills and resources that students need to succeed in a digital world.”

Sanjay Viswanathan, Chairman, Ed4All said, “Ed4All is delighted to partner with Microsoft and NIOS to power NIOS Virtual Open School through BLEAP® for NIOS, a custom-built learning platform developed for NIOS. This will enable every learner in the country to become employable through most advanced Open Schooling. BLEAP® stands for Blended Learning and Pedagogy – a Big Leap in school education. We are excited with Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji’s direction for us and Prof Saroj Sharma Ji, Chairperson, National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), her appetite for rapid implementation. Ed4All is committed to enable India’s 170 million learners with access to affordable, world-class education, and develop them to face challenges of the digital age and be skilled and job-ready.”