Ignite’s Digital Roshni Learning Pods in F-9 Park and Saidpur Village will offer free Urdu digital education for children, youth, women and marginalized groups in Islamabad.
The Ministry of IT and Telecom and Ignite National Technology Fund are launching two outdoor Digital Roshni Learning Pods in Islamabad, bringing free digital education to open public spaces. The new initiative is part of the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan Vision and aims to reduce digital inequality by making technology training accessible to everyone, not just those in formal classrooms.
The pods will be installed at F-9 Park and Saidpur Village, two busy community hubs in the capital. By placing learning spaces in such locations, Ignite hopes to reach people who might never otherwise attend a training centre or afford paid digital courses.
Community-Centred Digital Classrooms in Public Spaces
Each Digital Roshni pod is designed as a small community classroom built in an outdoor setting. The structures will include a large digital screen for lessons, a seating area for participants, stable internet connectivity and backup power so that sessions can continue even during outages.
The idea is to create a welcoming space where families, students and workers can stop by, learn new skills and explore digital tools at their own pace. Because the pods are placed in open public places, they are visible and easy to access for people from all backgrounds.
Inclusive Learning for Youth, Women and Marginalised Communities
One of the key features of the Digital Roshni initiative is its focus on inclusion. All content in the pods will be available in Urdu, making it easier for people who are not comfortable with English to follow along.
The curriculum is designed for a wide audience, including children, youth, women, persons with disabilities and the transgender community. This means sessions will cover different levels and use simple, clear language so that even first-time learners can understand.
By creating a safe and welcoming environment, Ignite aims to remove social and financial barriers that have kept many people away from digital education. The pods will be a place where everyone can sit together, learn and ask questions without feeling judged.
What Will Be Taught at Digital Roshni Pods?
The Digital Roshni curriculum covers a wide range of basic and emerging skills that can help people improve their daily lives and future earning potential. Topics include:
– Digital literacy, such as using smartphones, computers, apps and the internet safely.
– Freelancing basics, introducing online work platforms and how to get started.
– Civic awareness and understanding of citizen rights and responsibilities.
– Financial education, including budgeting, savings and simple digital payments.
– Health and hygiene, with practical tips for families and communities.
– Introductory lessons on new technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
Each pod will have a dedicated facilitator who will run daily sessions, guide participants through the content and help them use the equipment. This human support is meant to make the experience more interactive and less intimidating for people who are new to technology.
Pilot Project, Partnerships and Future Expansion
Ignite has described the Digital Roshni Learning Pods as a 13-month pilot project. During this period, the team will test not only the content and technology, but also the sustainability model needed to keep the pods running over the long term.
The implementing organisation will be required to secure sponsorships or partnerships to support ongoing operations, maintenance and upgrades. If this model proves successful, similar pods could be rolled out in other cities across Pakistan.
To ensure broad participation, Ignite is also planning outreach in collaboration with NGOs, civil society groups and local influencers. These partners will help spread awareness, mobilise communities and encourage regular attendance at the pods.
The structures themselves are modular and weather-resistant, designed for continuous use in outdoor settings. This makes them flexible enough to be replicated in parks, town centres and other shared spaces in the future.
By bringing free, Urdu-based digital education directly into public places, the Digital Roshni Learning Pods represent a new way of thinking about community learning in Pakistan. If the Islamabad pilot is successful, it could become a model for how to reach underserved groups with practical, life-changing digital skills.
For children, youth, women and marginalised communities, these pods could be the first step toward greater confidence, better job opportunities and more active participation in the digital economy.
