New Delhi: "India Report on Digital Education, 2020" has been launched virtually by the Union Minister for HRD Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'. During the launch, the minister stated that report highlights the innovative methods adopted by Ministry of HRD, Education Departments of States and Union Territories to ensure accessibly as well as inclusive education to children at home and reducing learning gaps.
He also urged to all to read this report to get a better understanding of the various initiatives taken to facilitate remote learning and education for all by taking schools to the students
India Report on Digital Education, 2020 comprises of various initiatives taken to provide remote learning and education for all by taking schools to the students. Some of the initiatives are as follows: DIKSHA platform, Swayam Prabha TV Channel, Online MOOC courses, On-Air - Shiksha Vani, DAISY by NIOS for differently-abled, e-PathShala, etc.
School education is envisaged as a comprehensive and convergent programme committed to universalizing digital education across the wide spectrum of schools from pre-nursery to higher secondary classes. The quality of digital education has acquired a new urgency in the present context of globalization.
Open Educational Resources (NROER) to develop e-content and energized books, telecast through TV channels, E-learning portals, webinars, chat groups, distribution of books and other digital initiatives along with State/ UT Governments.
The report has messages from the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Union Minister for HRD, Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank”, Minister of State for HRD, Shri Sanjay Dhotre, and Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, MHRD, Smt Anita Karwal. The report has been prepared by the Digital Education Division of MHRD in consultation with Education Departments of States and UTs.
Besides, the central Initiatives State/ UT Governments have also managed the critical task of providing digital education at the doorstep of the students. Some of the major medium to connect to the students were using social media tools like WhatsApp Group for all the classes, Online classes through YouTube channel, Google meet, Skype etc., an E-learning portal, TV (Doordarshan & regional channels), Radio (AIR), use of Diksha was the most prominent choice of all the stakeholders.
Some of the major digital initiatives by State Governments are SMILE (Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement) in Rajasthan, Project Home Classes in Jammu, Padhai Tunhar Duvaar (Education at your doorstep) in Chhattisgarh, Unnayan Initiatives in Bihar through the portal and mobile application, Mission Buniyaad in NCT of Delhi, Kerala’s own educational TV channel (Hi-Tech school programme), E-scholar portal as well as free online courses for teachers in Meghalaya. Telangana has online certificate programs for teachers on ‘Management of mental well-being during COVID’.
Some states have launched innovative mobile apps and portals as a means to facilitate remote learning. Madhya Pradesh has launched Top Parent App, a free mobile app that empowers parents of young children (3-8 years) with knowledge and strategies around child development to help them meaningfully engage with their children. KHEL(Knowledge Hub for Electronic Learning), a Game-Based Application has also been started, that covers class 1-3. Uttarakhand is making use of Sampark Baithak App through which primary school students can access animated videos, audios, worksheet, puzzles, etc.
Digital education initiatives are also enabling enhanced support for students preparing for competitive exams. Goa has partnered with Embibe, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)- powered online platform for learning, practising, and testing, for students preparing for entrance exams in the State. Karnataka has launched Pariksha Vani, an exam preparation program through Doordarshan, and an SSLC Exam Readiness Program. Online Practice tests with detailed analysis are available for Government and Government Aided Students of Tamil Nadu preparing for NEET exam.
Addressing diverse needs by states, personality development along with command over language is focused by NCT of Delhi for higher classes, amid lockdown mental well-being of children is also taken care of through happiness classes channelized through SMS/IVR for primary grade children. Similarly, other states are also focusing on the mental well-being of students like Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are actively focusing on inclusive education for students with Special needs. In such a way, state’s education departments together are determined and committed to curbing the learning crisis remotely.
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