The Rise of Smart Schools in Kolkata & West Bengal

The Rise of Smart Schools in Kolkata & West Bengal: How Digital Classrooms Are Reshaping Education
Smart schools are no longer just a future idea—they are becoming a reality across West Bengal. From city centers to remote districts, educational institutions are adopting modern digital tools to improve access, quality, and student outcomes.
1. A New Era Begins: Government Smart Classroom Rollouts
In 2023, 22 government primary schools in Kolkata were transformed into smart schools through a collaboration between The WE Foundation, Samagra Shiksha, and UTIITSL. Over 5,000 students and 250 teachers received new laptops, projectors, desktops, and smart boards to make learning more engaging and inclusive for children across socioeconomic backgrounds (Non-Profit Organization).
By early 2025, the state education department had equipped a total of 2,691 schools with digital tools—including nearly 2,000 secondary/higher secondary schools and more than 600 primary schools. However, officials have since requested detailed usage reports, citing that some classrooms remain underused or inactive (MillenniumPost).
These initiatives marked a large-scale shift—from access to actual usage—as state authorities look to move beyond infrastructure toward meaningful educational impact.
2. Kolkata’s First Smart Classroom at a Government School
In February 2025, Hare School (Kolkata) became the first state government school in West Bengal to introduce a smart classroom. Using and repairing existing equipment, they set up a functional space for Classes VI to X. Plans are underway to expand it with formal government support (The Times of India).
These pilot projects aim to validate that advanced classrooms can be delivered economically and sustainably—even in historic institutions.
3. Smart Classrooms as Part of Education Reform in Mirik and Darjeeling
In the Darjeeling hills, educational authorities piloted smart classrooms at Manju Tea Estate Primary School in Mirik. Equipped with Android TVs, multiple computers, digital screens, and modern furniture, the initiative serves about 60 local children. Officials hope to replicate this across Kalimpong, Kurseong, and other subdivisions, expanding modern classrooms into rural and hillside areas (MillenniumPost, Telegraph India).
4. Bundling Digital Tools with Educational Administration
The state platform BanglarShiksha 3.0 now covers nearly 95,000 schools and 1.9 crore students. It created a centralized digital system that records enrolments, tracks student transfers, integrates schemes like Sabooj Sathi, and reports attendance. As a result, the dropout rate in West Bengal has declined from 3.3% to 1.5%—despite the national rate rising from 4% to 5.5% (GovStack).
This system is a backbone for digital classroom projects, ensuring infrastructure and student data are connected and supported by administrative telephony-to-digit.
5. Innovation on the Ground: School Projects Show Promise
Local students are using science and technology in creative ways. In a recent event, government school students showcased practical projects—such as a smart medicine box with visual reminders and buzzer alerts—to address everyday challenges. This reflects a growing culture of innovation fostered through better access to labs and digital learning (The Week).
6. Challenges Remain: Connectivity and Intentional Use
Even in Kolkata, schools face inconsistent internet access. A recent rally disrupted in-person classes, leading many schools to switch to online lessons. Technical issues—poor connectivity, inactive cameras, and low engagement—made the digital sessions less effective, with some schools postponing lessons entirely rather than relying on remote learning (The Times of India).
Meanwhile, teachers in West Bengal have protested job losses and systemic disruptions. Addressing these educational concerns requires careful planning and support—not just new classrooms (en.wikipedia.org).
7. Why Smart Classrooms Must Be Paired with School ERP Systems
Smart classrooms produce more data—attendance records, lesson logs, multimedia content, student interactions. A robust School Management ERP system brings structure and value to that data:
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Keeps attendance and lesson logs in one dashboard
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Records student progress and behavior in real time
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Sends reports to parents and administrators
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Manages resource allocation and ensures digital tools are used effectively
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Supports analytics to track impact across classrooms or schools
For institutions in Kolkata, North Bengal, or Siliguri, using an ERP system ensures that smart classrooms don’t just look good—they deliver on learning goals.
8. Meet the ERP That Complements Smart Classrooms
If your school is looking for a system that connects smart classroom data with core administration and communication tools, MyLeading Campus® offers:
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Centralised dashboards for attendance, homework, and lesson tracking
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Modules for lesson uploads, digital content, and classroom scheduling
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Mobile apps for parents, teachers, and students
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Built-in communication through WhatsApp, SMS, and email
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Analytics to measure usage and student performance across classes and grades
It’s always built for Indian schools—with local support and affordable pricing.
Final Thought
Smart classrooms are the future—and in West Bengal, they are here already. But impact only comes when infrastructure meets intent, and voice meets visibility. Smart schools need smart systems—and only then does innovation translate into learning.
If your school is building its digital classroom future, pairing it with a trusted ERP can ensure that transformation is real, measurable, and sustainable. Want help evaluating how your school is using its technology? I’m happy to assist.