The potential of digital intervention in the area of education in India is enormous The demand for educational online courses has increased four times over the course of 2019 to reach $3 billion. The KPMG analysis revealed it was India was the 2nd biggest marketplace for education online, second only to the US. With the favorable policies and initiatives from the Government of India, such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and more than 500 EdTech start-ups throughout the lifecycle of learning and beyond, the current educational environment is ripe for digital changes.
Additionally, children’s learning levels show the potential to improve. In the National Achievement Survey (NAS) of 2021 found an average grade of 59% in grade 3 4, 49 percent in grade 5 4, 42 percent in grade 8 and 36 percent in the 10th grade. The report indicates a decline in the learning level as a result of an increase in grade levels and has far-reaching implications for the young Indians ready for the 21st century workplace and the nation’s readiness to participate in future challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the digital divide that is caused by the different access to and affordability of technological infrastructure (such as internet connectivity and electricity) as well as devices (such as smartphones and computers). devices). The gap is different across geographical regions as well as demographics and communities. In addition students with disabilities face particular challenges due to the absence of peer support as well as lower concentration levels, as well as the necessity for more parental support.
Promoting learning and reducing inequality
In recognition of the enormous potential of technology in enhancing learning, and the need to decrease disparities in education access to all boys and girls as well, Education 4.0 India is an initiative that education 4.0 india initiative makes use of technological innovations to close the learning gap and ensure that education is accessible for all.
A collaborative effort of The World Economic Forum, UNICEF and YuWaah (Generation Unlimited in India) provides solutions that match and enhance and amplify, India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Digital Education Architecture that was proposed in 2021.
In India, the NEP 2020 aims to improve the quality of education to all learners by using digital methods. From re-designing the structure of education to developing a robust digital learning system The NEP 2020 is aligned with the needs of 21st century education. It is a call to develop the creativity of every child.
Keys are areas in need of intervention.
The report highlights four key areas for intervention including foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) as well as teachers’ capacity building transitions from school to work, and connecting the disconnected. Interventions are classified in five blocks of building which are curriculum content capacity, community, and digital.
1. Numeracy and literacy foundational
For example In FLN, one of the biggest gaps was identified as the absence of “byte-sized” information in early learning that could spark children’s curiosity as well as entice parents who aren’t educated.
Storytelling, reading aloud and interactive media, such as flipbooks and the digital use of tools can help with these issues. FLN solutions are based on the following factors that determine the ability for the product to connect with the family environment and all key players (parents caregivers, parents, and the community) and the flexibility of the solution, and whether it is multimodal (hybrid or physical) in order to reach parents and the communities in the most remote and challenging areas.
2. Teachers” capacity development
Improving the capacity of teachers to teach in more modern formats is crucial and so is their participation and participation in the creation and delivering technology-enabled curriculum. To achieve this the report offers suggestions to improve teachers’ capacity development – for example by improving the quality of teacher instruction, linking education with the progression of their careers, and by involving teachers in the creation of a holistic teacher capacity-building program.
3. Transition from school to work
The third major area is school-to-work transition. It is focused on helping students become job-ready in an ever-changing work environment. More than 90% of Indian schools are HTML0.have not yet implemented vocational classes as part of their curriculum. The report recommends interventions that use hybrid and digital models to train students in order to be a good match for the current and emerging job opportunities.
4. Connecting the inaccessible
The pandemic that has swept the globe has not solely made digital learning central to the teaching of all students However, it has also increased the digital divide, putting those who do not have devices or internet access further left behind. Based on the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2020-2021 survey, just 41.3 percent of schools have access computers and 24.5 percent were connected to the internet between 2020 and 2021.
In the fourth area of focus connectedness for the unconnected the report classifies schools by their accessibility to digital infrastructure. It recommends interventions that will allow schools at all levels to be more connected.
Transformation of the sector of education
The Education 4.0 India initiative is built on the efforts made by both the state and central governments and leverages their intervention. The suggestions made by the initiative could have a huge impact ranging by creating a more inclusive and accessible education system inclusive , to decreasing dropout rates and improving the learning outcomes using adaptive learning systems , as well as involvement of the community.
The report provides a plan to improve India’s school education system and issues an appeal for all players in the edtech sector to work together to transform the field.
