MCD Launches Digital Literacy Program in 1,514 Schools with Canva Partnership

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is commencing a substantial digital literacy initiative across its 1,514 municipal schools, with the rollout scheduled to begin on March 28, 2026. This educational program is being executed in collaboration with Canva, the Australia-based design and visual communication platform. The primary goal is to enhance digital learning methodologies by training educators to generate custom visual learning aids directly within the classroom setting.

Teachers within the MCD system will receive comprehensive instruction on utilizing Canva's tools to develop custom illustrations, detailed charts, and informative infographics for their lessons. This pedagogical adjustment aligns with the broader mandates of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the integration of technology to promote creativity and critical thinking. A key aspect of this integration involves incorporating content from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) into the Canva platform, allowing educators to convert static curriculum materials into dynamic, interactive digital assets for students.

Yogesh Verma, Chairman of the MCD Education Committee, confirmed that all primary school teaching staff and associated personnel will receive complimentary access to these advanced creative software tools. The implementation plan requires a focused, two-hour training session for all staff members involved in the educational ecosystem, explicitly including sports personnel to ensure broad participation. This investment in digital skills development runs parallel to other 2026 reforms within the MCD education sector, such as the establishment of 'MCD Shri' schools intended for meritorious students.

The launch event is expected to feature the Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, recognizing the international origin of the partner organization. This initiative reflects a growing trend in India where platforms like Canva collaborate with bodies such as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and NCERT to scale up digital and AI training for educators. For context, Indian users created 666 million designs on Canva in 2024 alone, demonstrating the platform's existing reach. By equipping teachers with these visual communication capabilities, the MCD seeks to foster greater student innovation and critical thinking across its network, moving beyond traditional instructional models.