“Technology-driven education with equity post-COVID,” – the best initiative the government could provide during this crisis phase. With the impossibility of reopening the educational institutions of all kind in fear of putting lakhs of children in danger, technology driven education is the only way to keep learning continue. Considering this important issue, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced the immediate launch ‘Pradhan Mantri e-VIDYA’ initiative for digital education.

Pradhan Mantri e-Vidya scheme will not only benefit the students, but will be a bright opportunity to the educators and ed-tech startups to cater to the home learning requirements.Top 100 universities of the country will be allowed to start online courses by 30 May, Sitharaman said while announcing several measures for the education sector.

In the challenging Pandemic environment, digital learning remains the only way to the Education Department. Moreover, it opens a wide platform to the people associated with the education sector and technology to invest and open business initiatives. Ashvin Vellody, partner, Deloitte India states,

“This should create opportunities for the players in the education sector and technology companies to create, distribute and monetize, relevant digital content targeted at all sections of the society leading to a much wider reach and impact. During these tough times, the right use of digital technologies can go a long way in achieving the goals laid out by the government.”

The Finance Minister also announced that Diksha — the CBSE’s learning platform — would be extended to schools in states and Union territories. E-content and QR coded textbooks would be provided for all grades under a one nation – one digital platform initiative. One TV channel for one grade for all classes 1 to 12 – one class one channel for students who do not have access to internet. Radio, community radio and podcasts would be extensively used for the same.Sitharaman also said that Swayam Prabha DTH channels were launched to support and reach those who do not have access to the internet. Now 12 more channels will be added. The finance minister announced several new initiatives that will be started by the government in the education sector to promote “technology-driven education with equity post-COVID.”Special e-content would be developed for visually and hearing impaired.

Presently, almost all the schools, colleges and universities of India are holding online classes and promoting e-Learning. With the fast-growing technology and the threat of the deadly virus corona, the educators are practising and experimenting their hands in digital teaching. Indeed, the digital route to impart education will soon make the Nation a Technology driven country with more advanced systems of teaching and learning.

Author: Mousumi Sachdeva

The Author of The Pride of Being Different, Love Remains Undefined and Making Impossible Possible, and the Poet of The Blend of the Real and Imagination(Poetry Book), Mousumi Kalita Sachdeva serves as Skill Development Trainer, author, an international poet, a columnist, motivational speaker and the Editor at Damick ,a Self-Publishing House and the Traditional Publishing Head Editor of Turquoise Publication.