India’s Education Reform Gains Momentum with Canva–NCERT Digital Training Programme

Teachers Nationwide to Gain Creative and AI Skills Through Canva–NCERT Initiative

India's education system has undergone a transformative shift, evolving from traditional chalk-and-talk classrooms to embracing smart, technology-driven learning environments. With widespread adoption of digital platforms, blended teaching methods, and policy reforms like the National Education Policy 2020, it has aligned itself with global educational advancements, proving that Indian education is no longer catching up but actively shaping the future.

In a forward-thinking initiative aimed at advancing digital literacy in education, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has partnered with Canva, a leading visual communication platform founded in 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Known for its intuitive design tools and templates, Canva operates in over 190 countries, supports more than 100 languages, and currently serves 220 million monthly active users, including 60 million students and teachers through its Canva for Education offering. Its widespread influence extends beyond education, with 85% of Fortune 500 companies reportedly relying on the platform for design solutions.

Building on its global momentum, Canva’s education programme added over 25 million students and teachers in 2024 alone, contributing to a user base of over 100 million. The platform also recorded a 50% increase in teacher engagement and a 107% rise in student activity, driven by features such as Dream Lab, which allows educators to create customised visuals that support digital learning.

As part of the MoU, NCERT and Canva will roll out three self-paced digital training and certification programmes that are free of cost and designed to develop teachers’ digital, creative, and collaborative competencies. These programmes will be hosted on DIKSHA, India’s national digital platform for school education and also broadcast via PM eVidya’s DTH TV channels. This dual delivery approach has been crafted to ensure equitable access across diverse regions, including areas with limited internet connectivity. Furthermore, the availability of content in multiple Indian languages aims to foster broader participation and inclusivity.

Teachers enrolling in the programme will learn to use Canva Education for designing interactive lesson plans, infographics, and presentations, along with strategies for collaborative teaching and classroom-based AI integration. Upon successful completion, educators will be awarded joint certification by NCERT and Canva, affirming their proficiency in modern teaching tools.

Under the collaboration, Canva will provide free platform access and support the development of teaching resources, while NCERT will tailor the content to fit national curriculum standards and regional requirements. The training also aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, placing emphasis on visual learning, critical thinking, and design-led pedagogical innovation. Crucially, Indian educators will gain access to Canva Education’s extensive resource library, comprising more than 500 tools and apps, ranging from games and translation services to worksheets and AI-powered planning tools, spanning all subjects and educational levels. This partnership represents a meaningful step toward empowering educators with the tools and confidence needed to create more engaging and future-ready learning environments.

Editor’s Note:

The collaboration between NCERT and Canva represents more than a technological upgrade; it signals a paradigm shift in how education is delivered and experienced across India. By equipping teachers with digital, creative, and collaborative tools, this initiative is helping bridge the gap between traditional classroom practices and the demands of a rapidly evolving learning landscape. The fact that these courses are free, multilingual, and accessible through both digital platforms and television channels reflects a deep commitment to inclusivity and nationwide impact. This shift toward digital empowerment strengthens teacher capabilities and helps build more engaging, future-ready classrooms. As India moves forward with the National Education Policy 2020, partnerships like this serve as key milestones in the country’s educational transformation. By integrating visual learning, AI, and design-led teaching, the education system is entering a new era, where creativity, accessibility, and innovation come together to reshape both teaching and learning.

Skoobuzz believes this collaboration will mark a turning point for Indian education, proving that when technology meets education, the possibilities for impact are limitless.