Advancing smart school initiatives: A case study of Zahedan city

This mixed-methods case study evaluates Iran's Smart Schools Project in Zahedan, a socioeconomically heterogeneous city, to identify barriers and scalable interventions for technology-enhanced schooling in resource-constrained contexts. Data comprise structured surveys (n = 150), semi-structured interviews with policymakers (n = 10), and classroom observations across urban, semi-urban and rural schools. Findings reveal stark infrastructure and access gaps (rural device-sharing 1:175; chronic power outages; intermittent urban connectivity). Targeted, low-cost interventions (solar microgrids, offline learning-management systems, and Raspberry Pi deployments) produced measurable gains (rural literacy +25%; STEM engagement +18%). Cultural resistance was substantially reduced through engagement with religious leaders, raising parental approval from 20% to 65%. Analysis is situated within TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) frameworks. Policy implications include tiered funding that prioritizes rural allocation (proposed 60% share), promotion of domestic low-cost device manufacturing, and decentralized, context-sensitive teacher training. The study demonstrates that equity-driven, culturally attuned strategies can align national smart-school ambitions with local realities, offering a replicable model for other resource-limited regions seeking to close the urban–rural digital divide.