Basic education is one of the highest priorities on the development agenda. Despite the unprecedented efforts by Government and Civil Society for Universalisation of Elementary Education, there is a serious problem that is detracting from access and persistence gains: the daunting and all-encompassing problem of equitable access to quality and relevant education. The problems of quality and relevance of basic education are multi-faceted, involving issues of policy, strategy, innovation and knowledge. An alliance approach hypothesizes that, by multi-channeling resources, increasing the knowledge base, putting innovative ideas and rationalizing support systems, higher levels of impact can be achieved as compared to single, like-minded organizations operating alone, and often in a limited “project” mode.

This inspiration laid the foundation of QUEST Alliance in India, as a brain child of USAID and International Youth Foundation, to provide a platform for Donors, Government, Corporate and Non Government Organisations for improving education and employability among disadvantaged youth. This unique association brings expertise and stature, resources and influence, while others share their experiences and knowledge to address the problem of quality and relevance of education.

Soon after the deliberation, the alliance realizes the need to be selective and strategic for the interventions to achieve the concrete goal with specific time frame. The importance of innovative and effective use of Educational Technology tools fulfils the promises laid down in the agenda. Since then, QUEST (Quality Education and Skills Training Alliance), a partnership of public, private and NGOs started working together to create, pilot and institutionalize technology tools for improving the quality of education and workforce development training for disadvantaged youth. The alliance aims to:

• Demonstrate and scale the use of cost effective, replicable and sustainable ET tools and delivery systems that enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
• Move education technology mediated quality and relevance solutions into the public and policy arenas through research, outreach, advocacy, dialogue and lobbying.

QUEST along with its alliance partners is piloting some innovative projects to improve quality education using ET tools. QUEST play a important role in demystifying the usage of technology by exploring and advocating for effective usages of various existing educational technology tools which is easily accessible and adaptable in the constraint environment. Some of these innovations are:

a) Lifeline Education Project: Lifeline Education Project uses mobile technology and an interactive voice response system to provide critical academic support and instructional training to rural elementary school teachers in West Bengal. In partnership with One World South Asia, Vikramshila Educational Society and British Telecom, this innovative project equips teachers with mobile phones and links them to an information database where they can access answers to specific subject matter and instructional queries.

b) Education Community Video Unit (Videoshala): A group of organization (Video Volunteers, DRISHTI Media Collective and Udaan) join hand to come out with an innovative solution to develop educational video created by community producer in partnership with teachers and students.