New Delhi: Cloudflare has partnered with UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Giga initiative to help governments, including India, address one of the biggest challenges in the education sector, the lack of reliable internet connectivity in schools.
Announced on 29 September, this collaboration will use Cloudflare’s Speed Test solution to provide real-time data on internet speed, latency and affordability in the classrooms. This data will be integrated into Giga Maps, an open-source platform that enables governments to geolocate schools, assess connectivity status and identify cost-effective solutions to improve access. By generating up to 10 million availability tests every month directly from schools, the project will give policymakers, including those in India, evidence-based tools to frame strategies and track progress in bridging the digital divide.
The initiative comes at a time when about half of students worldwide are still unable to access the internet in schools regularly. In India, where the government has already stepped up efforts to expand digital education through schemes like PM e-Vidya and the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR), such global collaborations are expected to complement ongoing work. Reliable connectivity is central to the government’s vision of transforming classrooms with digital learning platforms, e-content and smart education tools.
UNICEF officials stated that Cloudflare’s support will empower countries to plan investments with precision, ensuring that children gain not just internet access but also quality digital learning opportunities.
With India doubling down on digital infrastructure for schools under the Digital India framework, the partnership offers additional momentum in achieving inclusive and technology-enabled education.
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