●
STEM education with a focus on gender
inclusivity benefits 110,216 students.
●
Over 397 teachers trained, 17,830 teachers
engaged through webinars.
●
Numerous Maker Spaces introduced to ignite
curiosity.
●
Easy to understand modules and pedagogy
developed for faster learning.
Gurugram:
With shared vision of building a future-ready generation, BMW Group
and UNICEF today highlighted the annual impact of their global BRIDGE
partnership in India. Since its launch in December 2024, the initiative has
reached around 110,216 children and 397 educators in India across multiple
states by strengthening foundational learning and expanding access to hands-on
STEM education.
The BRIDGE initiative is part of a long-term global collaboration between BMW Group and UNICEF till 2030, aimed at equipping children with future-ready skills through supporting state governments on STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). In India, the programme adopts a two-pronged approach to education reform - strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy in early grades, and expanding access to practical, experiential STEM learning for adolescents.
Implemented
in close collaboration with state governments, the initiative is currently
active across Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam and Tamil Nadu. The programme
creates inclusive STEM learning environments through strengthening teacher
capacity and experiential learning using low-cost maker spaces, STEM kits, and
new science labs in under-served schools.
Commenting
on the partnership, Mr. Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India,
said, “The BMW Group’s global partnership with UNICEF underscores our
commitment to education as a catalyst for lasting social and economic progress.
In India, we are proud of the strides made in strengthening foundational
learning and creating opportunities for children, especially girls, to explore
STEM. We remain dedicated to supporting scalable, high-impact initiatives that
empower the next generation for a brighter future. Through the long-term
programme spread over several years, we will ensure that this progress goes a
long way towards creating real, on-ground impact.”
Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative said, “Today’s employment opportunities come with greater demands for competencies in STEM. Girls, in particular, miss out on opportunities to learn and practice STEM. For this very reason, the BMW-UNICEF partnership is investing in making education more accessible and inclusive, especially for girls, leading to greater economic and social self-reliance.”
During
the first year of implementation, the partnership delivered measurable outcomes
on ground. A total of 397 educators across 142 schools were trained in
evidence-based practices to improve early-grade literacy and numeracy, while
large-scale digital webinars reached 17,830 teachers, strengthening classroom
instruction and foundational pedagogy at scale. A situational analysis helped
develop a state-level action plan to strengthen supervisory systems. The
engagement of parents and caregivers was successfully strengthened through
regular meetings, fostering closer home home–school collaboration.
West
Bengal
In
West Bengal, a STEM Instructional Manual with 90 experiential activities was
developed, including the use of household items to explain fractions and 10
maker spaces were set up. A digital supervision app now tracks classroom
practices such as inclusion, use of learning materials, creating a safe and
engaging environment, and encouraging active participation. Supervisors use the
app’s data to give feedback and plan improvements with teachers. Since October
2024, over 8,000 school visits have been logged. In addition, large-scale
events, like the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, engaged
nearly 59,000 students, promoting gender equity.
Assam
Hands-on
STEM content was successfully piloted in 30 schools, reaching over 7,000
students in Assam. Classroom observations and teacher surveys were carried out
to inform the redesign of difficult topics. Interactive learning packages were
piloted, including experiments using local materials to explain concepts like
motion and fractions.
Jharkhand
Evidence
points out that children learn best when taught in their most familiar
language. To help children do so, the development of bilingual textbooks for
Grades 1 and 2 in Assam and Jharkhand was supported. These books align with the
state curriculum and reflect local contexts, enabling a smooth transition from
home language to the language used at school. Jharkhand also received support
to equip 11 STEM labs in girls’ residential schools (KGBVs) and distribute STEM
kits in 82 KGBVs. STEM kits give students the chance to learn through practical
experiments. With simple tools like soldering irons, batteries, and other basic
components, these kits make science and technology more accessible and
engaging. They help strengthen problem problem-solving skills and spark curiosity,
turning abstract concepts into real-world applications. Moreover, 130 activity
activity-based modules were developed for hard hard-to-learn topics such as
algebra and molecular structures, using clay modelling, bead-and-wire models,
and local art forms for geometry.
Tamil
Nadu
The
‘STEM on Wheels’ programme brought mobile demonstrations of science and math
experiments to schools in rural and coastal areas, enabling hands-on learning.
Globally,
the BMW Group–UNICEF partnership aims to reach more than 10 million children
and young people every year through education and training initiatives,
including STEM learning, across five countries where BMW Group has a strong
operational presence - India, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, and Thailand.
The
BMW Group
With
its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the
world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also
provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises
over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in
more than 140 countries.
In
2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more than
210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2024
was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to € 142.4 billion. As of 31 December
2024, the BMW Group had a workforce of 159,104 employees.
The
economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking
and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s
corporate strategy and covers all products from the supply chain and production
to the end of their useful life.
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About
UNICEF
UNICEF
works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most
disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work
for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more
information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org
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For
more information, please contact:
BMW
Group:
Richa
Sharma, Head of Press and Corporate Affairs
Cell:
+91 99100 22148; Email: Richa.Sharma@bmw.in
UNICEF
India:
Alka
Gupta, Communication Specialist, +91 730 325 9183, agupta@unicef.org
Sonia
Sarkar, Communication Officer (Media), +91 9810170289, ssarkar@unicef.org