Everything You Need to Know About Digitizing Education in India

Indian education has dramatically evolved from traditional gurukuls, where students learned outdoors from their guru, to modern-day EdTech, where a record number of learners now study at home or work using digital platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the adoption of eLearning across all education levels.

 The Rise of EdTech in India

EdTech is now a mainstream element of education in India, thanks to digitization and increased mobile penetration. With approximately 665 million mobile users and a 14% annual growth in internet access, the market for EdTech products has expanded significantly. A KPMG study forecasts that India's online education market will reach $1.96 billion, serving over 9.6 million users by 2021.

 The Demographic Dividend

By 2030, India will have the largest global pool of adults aged 16-65, entering a "demographic dividend" phase marked by rapid economic growth due to an expanding working-age population. As 250 million Indians join the workforce, there will be a surge in demand for both traditional and alternative higher education to prepare for careers.

 Upskilling in the Workforce

The World Economic Forum predicts that over half of the global workforce will need significant reskilling or upskilling within the next three years due to the rapid obsolescence of skills in the digital age. EdTech solutions, such as online courses and certifications, can help the Indian workforce stay updated with changing skill requirements.

 The Impact of COVID-19

Prior to the pandemic, EdTech adoption was already on the rise due to the increasing popularity of open-source educational material, video-based content, and the positive perception of online education. COVID-19 has further accelerated this trend, with educators adopting EdTech products for the 2020-2021 school year, potentially making them a permanent part of the educational landscape. 

 Future Prospects

The pandemic has blurred the lines between traditional learning and EdTech, fostering a growing acceptance of digital education among educators and employers. This shift can significantly improve access to learning and career opportunities for disadvantaged students. According to a Gray Matters Capital study, 89% of Indians are willing to pay for educational apps, with Android being the preferred platform for development.

 Ensuring Effective Implementation

To maximize the benefits of EdTech, innovators need to quickly develop and deploy apps using DevOps pipelines and adopt a "fail fast" approach with data-informed decisions. Distributing standardized student tablets, locked to eLearning content, can enhance safety and accessibility, though careful management is necessary to avoid security, privacy, and productivity risks. 

Adopting a robust student device management strategy can help schools create effective digital learning environments and maintain communication between students, instructors, and peers.