India Report on Digital Education 2020

India Report on Digital Education 2020 | UPSC

HEADLINES:

Union Minister for HRD Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launches India Report- Digital Education June 2020

WHY IN NEWS:

Union Minister for HRD Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ today virtually launched India Report on Digital Education, 2020.

MINISTRY? :-Ministry of Human Resource Development

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:HUMAN RESOURCE : EDUCATION : REPORT

LEARNING:

For PRELIMS do not worry about state wise initiatives . But yes ! Remember your state initiative . That can be asked in interview .

For MAINS this article has sufficient online learning initiatives to support your gigantic answers . Let us dive in !

CONTEXT:

The quality digital education has acquired a new urgency in the present context of globalization.

INDIA REPORT- DIGITAL EDUCATION 2020

TITLE

India Report- Digital Education June 2020

RELEASED BY

Ministry of Human Resource Development

The report has been prepared by Digital Education Division of MHRD in consultation with Education Departments of States and UTs.

AIM

The report elaborates on the innovative methods adopted by Ministry of HRD.

Education Departments of States and Union Territories for ensuring accessible and inclusive education to children at home and reducing learning gaps.

This report brings a better understanding of the various initiatives taken to facilitate remote learning and education for all by taking schools to the students.

SIGNIFICANCE

Ministry has initiated many projects to assist teachers, scholars and students in their pursuit of learning.
State/ UT Governments have also managed the critical task of providing digital education at the door step of the students.
Some of the major medium to connect were tools like WhatsApp Group for all the classes, Online classes through YouTube channel, Google meet, Skype etc

E-learning portal, TV (Doordarshan & regional channels), Radio (AIR), use of Diksha was most prominent choice of all the stakeholders.

STATE WISE EFFORTS

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 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’.

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.
ASSAM has launched the Biswa Vidya Assam Mobile Application for class 6 to 10.
BIHAR has launched Vidyavahini App with e-books for class 1 to 12.
CHANDIGARH has launched Phoenix Mobile application to assess the learning outcome for the students of class 1 to 8.
MAHARASHTRA has launched the Learning Outcomes Smart Q Mobile App to facilitate learning for students in the state.
PUNJAB has launched iScuela Learn Mobile Application for class 1 to 10.
Sikkim Edutech App connects all the schools of SIKKIM under the State Education Department, Parents also have login access along with students, teachers and administrative units.
TRIPURA has an application titled ‘EmpowerU Shiksha Darpan’ in order to facilitate student’s appraisal.
UTTAR PRADESH launches ‘Top Parent’ app targeting children from 3-8years age.

States are also pioneering Whatsapp as a medium for education and to encourage teachers, parents, and students to stay connected.

ODISHA Shiksha Sanjog – a Whatsapp based digital learning programme has been launched in Odisha .
Education through Whatsapp is also being dispensed in PUNJAB, PUDUCHERRY.
Mission Prerna ki e-Pathshala is a Teacher to student whatsapp group in UTTAR PRADESH.
In ARUNACHAL PRADESH, primary class students are receiving interesting Radio talks in their mother tongue through All India Radio, Itanagar.
The districts of JHARKHAND have localized actual teachers addressing children through regional Doordarshan and available radio slots.
Similar is PUDUCHERRY’s initiative telecasting the classes through virtual control rooms on local TV channels.
MANIPUR has started comic books for students of class 3-5 to help them learn concepts in a fun way.
LADAKH is collaborating with NGOs like EMBIBE Bangalore and 17000 feet in providing online education to students even in low connectivity zones.
Popular features like quiz competitions are held by the state of HARYANA.
ANDHRA PRADESH has started Toll Free Call Centre and Toll Free Video call centre for students for understanding critical topics and clearing their doubts.
CHHATTISGARH has started Motor iskool.
The state has also started a toll free number as VFS (Virtual Field Support).
JHARKHAND has started the Roving teacher where many teachers keep moving to teach children.
GUJARAT started a Reading Campaign for Oral Reading Fluency- Vanchan Abhiyan .
WEST BENGAL has also started an exclusive and dedicated toll-free helpline number to enable students to call and clarify doubts.

States and UTs have also distributed textbooks at children’s doorsteps.

Some of the states that have taken this initiative to reach students are ODISHA, MADHYA PRADESH (under Dakshata Unnayan Programme).
LAKSHADWEEP has distributed tablets equipped with e-contents to students.
NAGALAND has distributed study material through DVD/Pen drive to students at nominal cost.
JAMMU & KASHMIR has distributed free tabs to students, along with laptops & Braille tactile readers for visually impaired learners.
GOA has partnered with Embibe, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered online platform for learning, practicing, 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.
DELHI for higher classes, amid lockdown mental well-being of children has also taken care of through happiness classes channelized through SMS/IVR for primary grade children.

IASbhai WINDUP:

State’s education departments together are determined and committed to curb the learning crisis remotely.

To grapple with the challenges of providing remote learning, NIOS & Swayam Prabha contents are disseminated focusing on children who are not connected to the internet and have limited access to radio & TV.
The initiatives from states to make available the content through innovative mediums are ensuring inclusion.

SUGGESTED READING : https://mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/India_Report_Digital_Education_0.pdf

SOURCES:PIB | India Report on Digital Education 2020 | UPSC

DISCOVER MORE : REPORTS

DONATE FOR A CAUSE

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis & Answer writing video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.