Rangers yesterday pledged £300,000 to help educate girls in India, in a bold three-year partnership with the children's organisation UNICEF.

In India, about 5 million children, mostly girls aged from 6 to 11, from disadvantaged familes, receive no education. The club will raise funds for a campaign to improve admissions and provide learning materials.

The move, a first for any Scottish club, sees Rangers join an elite global charitable league with Barcelona, Manchester United and AC Milan, which are also partners.

Sir David Murray, the club chairman, yesterday signed a pledge to raise the money by 2011 to fund a UNICEF education programme in 15 Indian states, helping over 45,000 young people in 150 schools.

Barry Ferguson, the club captain, and “charity champion” of the Rangers Charity Foundation, is to travel to India on behalf of UNICEF. He said yesterday that he had not visited the country and was looking forward to it.

“It's something that touches us and something that I wanted to be involved in,” he said.

“Everyone at the Club is very proud of this new venture and I believe that we can make a real difference and that the power of sport can help us to spread UNICEF's message of hope for vulnerable children.”

The money, which is to be raised by high profile events such as charity balls and evenings with the stars, will pay for a programme called Reducing the Gender Gap: Quality Education for Girls Education.

Many schools have inadequate learning facilities and teaching materials, with classrooms often over crowded and children unable to complete their studies.

The money raised will pay for a public campaign to increase school admissions; provide books and teaching materials; and improve the learning environment and facilities for girls.

Sir David said Rangers shared the same values as UNICEF of health, education, and the promotion of equality. “It is a huge landmark for the Rangers Charity Foundation to establish this partnership with UNICEF and join some of the biggest clubs in the world as one of their football partners,” he said.

“Rangers is a club known across the globe and it is great to see our charitable activities expanding on an international scale, whilst we increase our work at a more local level in Scotland.”

Martin Bain, the chief executive of the club, said it was “massively important” for the club to be leading the field in its partnership with UNICEF and extending its responsibility to society. He said the club was already working with 3,000 young Scots every month on issues such as anti-social behaviour and drug awareness.

The club's charity foundation broke through the £1million barrier in 2007, giving cash, in-kind donations and community grants to charities and other worthwhile organisations.

“Sometimes we believe we don't get the credit for how much we do for Scottish society, or indeed for Glasgow. But I think the figures speak for themselves,” Mr Bain said.

Rangers announced recently its community charity partner is Fairbridge in Scotland, a charity which works with young people. With Unicef its international partner, the club are also to announce a national charity partner next week.

David Bull, UNICEF UK's executive director, said: “I am delighted that Rangers has chosen to support UNICEF's education work in India. Access to education is something we often take for granted. For thousands of children, this project will bring the precious opportunities an education can offer a step closer.”

Times Recommends

• Litvinenko murder suspect's peace offer
• Low rollers seize chance to scoop £5m on the nose
• I wish I were Chancellor now, says Ken Clarke