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Lifelines India

This information and communication technology (ICT) initiative uses mobile technology and an interactive voice response system to provide academic support and instructional training to rural elementary school teachers in West Bengal, India. In partnership with One World South Asia, Vikramshila Educational Society, British Telecom (BT), and CISCO, this project equips teachers with mobile phones and links them to an information database and an expert panel where they can access answers to specific queries. The adaptation of the Lifelines India model for educational purposes is being carried out under the auspices of the Quality Education and Skills Training (QUEST) Alliance, part of the International Youth Foundation (IYF)'s regional initiative, Education and Employment Alliance (EEA). The goal is to improve the quality of teaching in rural schools.

Communication Strategies: 

Lifelines India facilitates exchange of critical and timely information using the power of voice as the primary means of knowledge dissemination and information exchange. Specifically, Lifelines provides communities access to a network of global expertise and a repository of context-specific knowledge. This question-and-answer (Q&A)-based service is available on both fixed-line/mobile phones, as well as on the internet.

The service is based on an interactive voice response system, which teachers use to register their queries related to subject matter, paedagogy, classroom management, and so on. Teacher queries are answered within 24 to 48 hours - by phone or email - by a qualified panel of experts. Lifelines India thus helps link teachers with training resource persons, subject matter experts, and field-level educational administrators. Local language interaction in voice mode is designed to enable the teachers to easily and proactively use the service.

Development Issues: 

Education, Technology.

Key Points: 

Initially created by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in India, the QUEST Alliance is now part of the global EEA, which is a 3-year USAID initiative. QUEST promotes the effective and responsible use of educational technologies in order to enhance the quality and relevance of formal elementary education and employability training for disadvantaged children and youth.

Partner Text: 

QUEST, One World South Asia, Vikramshila Educational Society, British Telecom (BT), CISCO.

Contact Information: 
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Very clearly written and informative. Thank you!

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