Role of ICT in Education

“ICT offers immense potential in improving the quality of education and skill training in India.”

The difficulties faced in imparting quality education and skill training to the rural poor and people living in inaccessible places can be easily overcome with spread of ICT along with penetration of 3G broadband services in rural hinterlands of the country thus overcoming the present day challenges that undermine India’s potential to reap benefits of her demographic dividend.

The basic problem faced in imparting quality basic education and skill training to the unprivileged Indians is unavailability of quality teachers and infrastructure. Teachers refuse to teach in rural settings because of poor salary package, poor pedagogy, poor infrastructure, threat to life on account of extremism, poor living conditions etc.

Difficulties faced:

The Annual Survey of Education Report (ASER) put forth a dismal picture of rural education sector in India. The report pinpointed the pitiable condition of classrooms, unergonomical seating arrangement, in-adequate teacher-pupil ratio, unsanitary toilets, lack of basic amenities such as drinking water etc. The provisioning of these services in a brick and mortar educational institution entails a huge cost which India even after 70 years of independence is finding difficult to afford least reap its demographic dividend. Therefore, given the financial constraints it is certain that brick and mortar classroom version will take time to show effect. In the mean time, technological developments like penetration of broadband in rural hinterlands of the country along with computer awareness can act as a game changer in educating and skilling the masses as the IT infrastructure is affordable and best suited to provide last mile delivery of services.

Convenience imparted by ICT:

With advent of 3G internet that makes streaming of live videos possible, teachers working in the setting of their choice can connect stakeholders in rural areas. Furthermore, as ICT reduces cost of brick and mortar infrastructure, it will enable students sitting at home to interact with teachers at their own convenience. ICT makes available e-books which reduce the cost of purchasing and printing books. In this regard, IGNOU’s recorded lectures on Gyandarshan channel along with material on its website www.egyankosh.com have proven to be great achievements in this regard. The use of satellite communication as well as Fiber to the Home (FTTH) initiative will go a long way in imparting distance education to the masses and thus help realize Gandhi’s dream of empowering the masses.

Skilling the masses using ICT:

The success of skill oriented initiatives such as Roshini and Nai Manzil can be further ensured by providing pre-recorded lectures on various skills online along with periodic live lectures to clear doubts of participants. The availability of skill training lectures online will empower the beneficiary to access them at his own time and cost. This flexibility will enhance the enrollment rate and improve quality as benefactor can proceed with the course as per his own learning curve. The launch of educational schemes such as Rashtriya Uchhtar Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan along with ‘bridge courses’ and Alternate Education Initiatives (AEI) will witness greater stakeholder participation as ICT will give them the flexibility to take the courses as per their own convenience of time and pace. The initiative to train teachers under the Madan Mohan Malviya scheme should train teachers in use of digital platform as well so that they are able to interact with the students in a confident manner. The flexibility in terms of time and cost imparted by use of ICT will in time to come revolutionize the education sector but its success depends on effective broadband penetration and costing.

By: Abhinav