The computer room at New Delhi’s Lady Irwin primary school – a state-run establishment with 1,400 students – contains 14 desktop computers used to familiarise pupils aged between nine and 11 with digital technology.

The questions “What is an operating system?”, “What is a desktop?” and “What is an icon?” are written neatly on a chalkboard above the machines, which are not connected to the internet. Students practise using Microsoft Excel and Word, and graphics programs. “The kids love to draw and paint on the computer – and play games such as Angry Birds,” says Radhika Bist, a computer teacher.

Lady Irwin’s lessons reflect India’s fumbling but eager embrace of digital technology in education, as schools grapple with how to integrate computers into the curriculum and try to bridge the country’s vast digital divide.