SOS Children’s Villages Launches Digital Learning Centre in Delhi

SOS Children’s Villages India has inaugurated its second Mobile Digital Learning Centre (MDLC) in Delhi to improve access to digital education and technology-based skills among children, young people and women from economically disadvantaged communities.The initiative, launched in partnership with Informa Exhibitions, features a specially equipped bus fitted with computers and a projector screen. The mobile facility will travel to underserved neighbourhoods, bringing digital learning opportunities closer to communities where access to technology and internet connectivity remains limited.

The launch took place on November 10, ahead of National Education Day, which is observed in India on November 11. The initiative is designed to provide free digital skills training, employment-oriented learning and opportunities to build confidence in using technology.According to the organisation, its mobile digital learning programme is currently operational in Delhi, Pune and Raipur. The initiative has reached 804 beneficiaries across these cities, including 152 children. With the addition of the second mobile centre in Delhi, the organisation aims to reach more than 800 additional beneficiaries in the capital over the coming year.

Digital Learning to Address the Technology Gap

North and North-West Delhi have been identified as key areas for the initiative because of the digital access challenges faced by economically vulnerable communities.The organisation cited estimates suggesting that Delhi has around 60,000 street-connected children, with a significant number living in its northern and north-western areas. It also highlighted the presence of approximately three lakh slum households across 675 clusters in the region.

According to figures shared by SOS Children’s Villages India, around 45% of government school students in the identified areas lack access to smartphones or reliable internet connectivity. Additionally, approximately 77% of young people in North-West Delhi reportedly have had no previous exposure to digital literacy.

Sumanta Kar, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages India, said digital inclusion plays an important role in education, employment and social mobility. He noted that mobile learning facilities help bring technology and educational resources directly to communities where financial and geographical barriers restrict access.He added that the second mobile centre in Delhi represents another step towards equipping children, young people and women with the knowledge and confidence required to participate in an increasingly digital world.

Five Key Areas Covered Under the Digital Learning Programme

The Mobile Digital Learning Centre focuses on five major areas of development:

Digital literacy and basic computer skills
Cyber safety and responsible internet usage
Financial literacy
Life skills and personal development
Certified assessments to evaluate learning outcomes

The organisation has also reported positive outcomes from its existing mobile learning programme. During its first year, five beneficiaries secured employment, while eight children returned to formal schooling. The initiative additionally facilitated 28 connections to scholarships and government schemes and 32 linkages to higher education opportunities.

Part of a Wider Digital Education Network

The mobile learning initiative forms part of SOS Children’s Villages India's broader vocational training and digital education network, which operates across seven states and eight cities, according to the organisation.The network follows three delivery models. Mobile Digital Learning Centres use specially equipped buses to reach underserved and remote communities. Standalone Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) provide intensive vocational and digital skills training to young people aged 18–27. Meanwhile, after-school VTCs operate through schools and cater to students aged 14–17.

These programmes aim to improve academic progress, digital employability, financial inclusion, cyber safety awareness and access to government services and welfare schemes. The organisation reports that around 2,610 young people participate in these training programmes annually.Through the expansion of its mobile learning facilities, SOS Children’s Villages India aims to reduce the digital divide and help children, youth and women from disadvantaged backgrounds gain access to education, skills and better livelihood opportunities.

About SOS Children’s Villages India

Established in 1964, SOS Children’s Villages India works to support children without parental care and those at risk of losing parental care. Its programmes include family-based care, family strengthening, foster care, kinship care, emergency childcare, youth skilling and other child development initiatives.

The organisation works across multiple states and union territories through its network of children's villages and community-based programmes. Its broader objective is to help vulnerable children and families achieve greater stability, independence and opportunities for a better future.