Getting Education to Get Smart

Context: Digital education as a game-changer in the education system.

Significance of digital education

• It will help in delivering uninterrupted education: during difficult times like COVID 19 pandemic.
• It makes education inclusive: As it allows imparting quality education to children located in places where setting up physical schools is difficult.
• Cost-effectivein the long run: As the same device can be used to store books, design presentations, do course work and partake in group projects and classroom discussions etc.
• Can impart uniform education: As digital platforms enable 10,000s of schools to study together.

Challenges against unleashing digital education

• Low internet access:
  • The National Sample Survey (NSS) data shows that only 12.5% of the households of students in India have internet access at home.
  • Only one-third of households have some member with access to the internet.
• Rural-Urban divide: 27% have access in urban areas and only 5% in rural areas.
• Lack of devices: only half of the households with any access to the internet own a computing device, smartphones included.

Way forward: Develop three pillars to unleash a game-changer in education through digital education

1. Create high-speed networks across the country: E.g. 5G network.
2. Provide high-quality devices at affordable prices to students: for the benefit of most underserved citizens in remote locations.
3. Support and train teacher community.

Conclusion: Building out a robust network to support digital educationbenefits not only the providers but also the receivers as it transforms their lives from the have-nots to the haves.