New Delhi, Dec 19 (Bureau) In view of the world moving fast towards a digital mode of education, the government and the institutions need to enhance budgetary outlays to support the creation of necessary infrastructure to make the transition from “chalkboards to keyboards” and equip teachers to be able to lead this transition, says Reach to Teach, a social impact organisation focusing on improving education outcomes by making learning joyful. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has emerged as a beacon of hope in this context. As Ms. Ratna Viswanathan, CEO of Reach to Teach, explains, “As we move forward and commemorate World Computer Literacy Day, we do so with the optimism that over the next few years, equality and equity in access to keyboard learning will grow exponentially as the NEP 2020 recommends the use of digital platforms to provide equal opportunities and access to learning in a phased manner, starting from the primary level.”
In a statement addressing India’s digital education landscape, she shed light on the current state of digital infrastructure in government schools and the path forward for educational technology in the country. “In 2023, as per the data provided by the Ministry of Education to a Parliament question, around 24% of India’s 1,022,386 government schools have digital access. Only 37.7% of government schools have computers, of which about 10% have working computers,” notes Ms. Ratna. She further emphasises that “EdTech has created a number of value-driven apps that unfortunately service a very small percentage of children, most of whom are not in government schools.” The stark reality of India’s digital divide in education becomes evident through these statistics. While private schools in urban areas have readily embraced digital learning tools, government schools, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, continue to face significant infrastructure challenges.
This disparity has created a two-tier education system where access to digital resources remains a privilege rather than a right. However, there’s room for optimism. Ms. Ratna pointed out the progress made since 2017-18, when internet connectivity in government schools was a mere 5.5%. She advocates for increased budget allocations, stating, “There is a need to increase budget outlays for education to support the creation of necessary infrastructure to make the transition from chalkboards to keyboards and equip teachers to be able to lead this transition.” The implementation of NEP 2020’s digital education initiatives requires a multi-pronged approach. This includes not only providing hardware and internet connectivity but also ensuring teacher training, developing appropriate digital content in regional languages, and creating sustainable maintenance systems for the infrastructure. As India positions itself as a global technology hub, ensuring digital literacy across all sections of society becomes paramount. The insights shared by Reach to Teach’s CEO underscore the urgent need for collaborative efforts between government bodies, educational institutions, and private sector organisations to accelerate the digital transformation of India’s education system. The path forward requires sustained commitment, increased resource allocation, and innovative solutions to overcome existing challenges. Only through such concerted efforts can India hope to achieve its goal of universal digital literacy and create a truly equitable education system for all its students.