Digital Divide: A roadblock to Hybrid Model of Education.

Prior to the pandemic, Ministry of Education brought an initiative called UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus). Under this initiative the ministry focused on infrastructure development in schools and educational institutions. Physical infrastructure such as school buildings, toilets, water supply, library, play grounds were developed but enough attention was not paid on digital infrastructure like internet connection, access to basic digital devices such as computers.

Ever since the pandemic has hit us all, every sector has been affected but the education sector has been affected the most. The pandemic has totally shifted the mode of education to online (virtual) format. Even though the internet has been a huge help and is being seen as a silver lining but let's not forget the fact that not everybody is able to access it.  A huge percentage of students and even teachers are missing from the online education platform and this is due to the increased digital divide in the country.

According to the studies conducted by NCERT, Azim Premji Foundation, ASER & Oxfam : 27% - 60% of students could not access online education because of lack of internet, digital devices & suitable learning environment.

Even in the post pandemic world the use of internet and digital devices is not going to subside instead its going to become equally important. Hybrid model of education is going to be the reality and the new normal.


What is Hybrid model of education?

Hybrid model is an approach to teaching and learning that combines both face- to- face classes with some online activities. The use of technology will personalize and increase engagement. Self paced learning & short videos will make the learning environment more productive. 

Unfortunately a large section a student population is not able to afford the internet and can not be benefited from this platform especially the students from the rural areas (where the digital access falls in the range of just 6% - 13% ) as compared to the urban population (where the range is 85% - 87%). This data shows the stark reality that exist. Poor students whose only chance of getting out of the vicious cycle of poverty is by means of quality education are going to lack far behind. Hence digital divide is nothing but a form of deprivation. As rightly said by Amartya Sen - Poverty is not just the lack of money but also the inability to develop one's potential.

Therefore the time has come for the Government to take necessary steps to reduce digital divide in the country & treat it as an essential service.


Important steps Govt. should take to reduce digital divide:

  • Apart from physical infrastructure development under UDIPSE + government should also develop digital infrastructure in government schools and other educational institutions through BSNL or other ISPs.
  • Public fundings, corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, charity and donation funds can be used to fund these govt projects.
  • Public Private Partnership (PPP) can also be take up.
  • Government can expand the ambit of projects like - National Broadband Mission.
  • Government can tie up with hardware manufacturers to recycle old computers as possible item etc.

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