---
title: "UNICEF Jammu & Kashmir - Out-of-School Children (OOSC) Digital Application \"Talaash\""
url: https://www.velsof.com/case-studies/unicef-jammu-kashmir-out-of-school-children-oosc-digital-application-talaash/
date: 2026-02-23
type: case_study
author: Velocity Software Solutions
client: "UNICEF India (Jammu & Kashmir Field Office)"
industry: Education / Child Welfare / International Development
location: "Jammu & Kashmir, India"
categories: Case Studies
tags: Dashboard, Education, Offline App, Training, UNICEF
---

## The Challenge

Jammu & Kashmir, with its unique geographical and socio-political landscape, faces distinct challenges in ensuring every child has access to education. A significant number of children remain out of school due to factors including remote terrain, seasonal disruptions, conflict-affected areas, and marginalized communities with limited access to educational infrastructure. UNICEF, in partnership with the Education Department of J&K, required a dedicated digital application — named “Talaash” (meaning “Search”) — to systematically identify, track, and mainstream out-of-school children across the union territory.

The Talaash application had been previously developed and deployed, but continued support was essential to ensure sustained functionality, incorporate government-requested modifications, train field-level education functionaries, and prepare for a structured handover to the Education Department.

Key challenges included:

– Operating and maintaining a digital application across the challenging terrain and connectivity landscape of J&K

– Training government education staff and master trainers on application usage in a region with unique logistical constraints

– Generating actionable reports at state, district, and sub-district levels

– Supporting data interoperability through API-based data exchange

– Building government capacity for long-term independent maintenance of the application

– Ensuring data security during server transitions in a sensitive region

– Providing responsive technical support despite geographical challenges

## Velocity’s Solution

### Scope of Work

Velocity Software Solutions provided comprehensive maintenance, enhancement, training, and handover support for the Talaash OOSC application in Jammu & Kashmir. The engagement covered application maintenance, stakeholder training, documentation, multi-level reporting, and a structured technology transfer to the Education Department.

### Key Features & Deliverables

- **Application Maintenance**: Continuous updating, monitoring, and optimization of the Talaash application to ensure reliable performance across J&K’s varied connectivity conditions
- **User Training Programs**: Training for OoSC teams and Alternative Learning Support Coordinators (ALSCos) on application usage, including master trainer development through face-to-face sessions
- **User Manual & Video Documentation**: Comprehensive user manuals and video tutorials with YouTube links for self-paced learning by field staff
- **Multi-Level Report Generation**: On-demand generation of reports at state, district, and block levels for evidence-based planning and intervention
- **API-Based Data Integration**: Import and export capabilities in API format to support department data workflows
- **Source Code Handover**: Complete transfer of the digital application and source code to the Education Department with formal handover procedures
- **Regular Stakeholder Engagement**: Monthly face-to-face meetings with OoSC teams, IT teams, and senior officials for application internalization
- **Technical Staff Capacity Building**: Training of government-nominated technical personnel to maintain the application independently
- **Dedicated Help Desk**: Technical support help desk with designated contact personnel for issue resolution
- **Adaptive Modifications**: Implementation of modifications and enhancements based on department feedback and evolving requirements
- **Server Transition Assistance**: Technical support for server migration with full data security assurance

### Technology Stack

- Web-based application with offline-capable features (for low-connectivity areas)
- [RESTful](https://www.velsof.com/software-development/) API architecture for data integration
- Cloud/server-hosted infrastructure
- Open-source technologies
- Optimized for low-bandwidth environments

## Implementation Approach

Velocity implemented a **phased support and knowledge transfer** methodology tailored to J&K’s unique context:

1. **Assessment & Stabilization Phase**: Evaluated the existing application performance in J&K’s operational context, addressed critical bugs, and optimized for local infrastructure conditions
2. **Training & Documentation Phase**: Conducted face-to-face training workshops with master trainers and field functionaries, developed comprehensive user documentation including video tutorials
3. **Reporting & Analytics Phase**: Configured multi-level reporting at state, district, and block levels, enabled API-based data exchange with departmental systems
4. **Stakeholder Alignment Phase**: Facilitated monthly meetings with government officials and IT teams over six months for thorough application internalization and buy-in
5. **Handover & Sustainability Phase**: Executed systematic transfer of source code, documentation, and operational knowledge to government-nominated technical staff, ensuring long-term sustainability

## Key Outcomes & Impact

- **Comprehensive Coverage**: Successfully maintained and supported the Talaash application across all districts of Jammu & Kashmir, enabling systematic OOSC identification and tracking
- **Government Ownership**: Built capacity within the Education Department’s technical team to independently operate and maintain the application
- **Evidence-Based Interventions**: Multi-level reporting empowered state and district officials to plan targeted interventions for the most marginalized out-of-school children
- **Sustainable Handover**: Complete technology transfer with source code, documentation, and trained personnel ensured continuity beyond the project period
- **Field-Level Adoption**: Trained master trainers and field functionaries ensured widespread adoption and effective use of the digital tool
- **Responsive Support Delivery**: Dedicated help desk maintained system reliability and user confidence despite geographical and logistical challenges

## Why Velocity

Velocity Software Solutions was the natural choice for this engagement due to:

– **Multi-State OOSC Experience**: Proven track record of developing and maintaining OOSC applications across multiple Indian states, with deep understanding of the unique challenges in each context

– **UNICEF Partnership**: Established LTA (Long-Term Agreement) relationship with UNICEF for IT services, ensuring seamless contractual and operational processes

– **Challenging Geography Expertise**: Experience working in states with difficult terrain and connectivity constraints, including adaptation of solutions for low-bandwidth environments

– **Government Training Proficiency**: Demonstrated ability to train government functionaries at multiple levels, including in regions with unique operational challenges

– **End-to-End Service Delivery**: Comprehensive capabilities spanning development, maintenance, training, documentation, help desk support, and structured handover

– **Information Security Standards**: ISO 27001:2013 certification ensuring data security — particularly critical in the sensitive J&K context