Mumbai launches distance learning online classrooms

In a pioneering first, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in Mumbai has increased the number of e-learning courses on offer to students across 56 schools.

Following the successful trial of an earlier programme across 24 civic schools at the beginning of 2011, the initiative has been rolled out citing encouraging initial results.

The venture is the brainchild of Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, who believed that the e-learning project would eventually encourage guest lecturers and teachers on to the scheme.

Mr Thackeray said: "Techniques like a virtual classroom or a smart board […] would also create a lot of interest in learning," reports the Calcutta Telegraph.

Earlier this month, a study conducted by Ambient Insight into the global impact and projected profits of online training programs predicted that by 2015, Asia will have replaced Western Europe in terms of total disbursement of e-learning technology.

Tyson Greer, chief executive of Ambient, said the projected results were down to specific countries' individual public sector education systems, commenting: "The global market is transitioning from a corporate story to an academic one."