The Delhi government is urging schools to enhance collaborations with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) entities through the Vidyanjali portal, which is part of a Union government initiative designed to foster community engagement in education.
A circular released by the Directorate of Education (DoE) indicates that this initiative aligns with the objectives set forth in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing the importance of volunteerism and collaboration in reforming the educational landscape of the country.
According to the directive, NGOs, non-profit organizations, and CSR partners can offer their services to both Delhi government schools and aided institutions via the Vidyanjali platform. Schools are encouraged to take full advantage of the resources available through this portal, while also ensuring that the personal or sensitive data of students remains confidential and is not disclosed to external parties.
The DoE referenced guidelines from the Ministry of Education“s Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), which highlighted the “adopt-a-School” module now accessible on the official Vidyanjali website. This module facilitates formal partnerships between schools and external organizations, aimed at providing sustained support and enhancing resources.
The concept note for this module was released by DoSEL on January 20, 2025, following a meeting led by the economic adviser. The recent circular states that school principals and heads of schools (HoS) are empowered to accept proposals from CSR partners through the Vidyanjali portal, tailored to the specific needs of their institutions.
For routine projects, no additional permissions or no objection certificates from the directorate are required. However, for significant undertakings, such as constructing classrooms or toilets, formal approval from the directorate must be sought through the e-office system.
The circular further stipulates that all proposals from CSR partners should be submitted exclusively via the Vidyanjali portal, and all formalities must be jointly completed by the school and the contributing entity. Maintenance of any assets should ideally be included under the manufacturer”s warranty, although schools may utilize funds from the approved Composite School Grant for maintenance as needed.
Once projects receive state-level approval on the portal, CSR entities are permitted to contribute through activities, sponsorships, or assets, as outlined in the circular.
