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Rural India is experiencing a silent but significant education revolution

By Kiran Dham

 

The fact that 65% of Indians live in rural regions, as per latest industry reports, underscores the significance of putting a focus on rural education to strengthen the nation’s economy. Even though a major chunk of the Indian population resides in rural areas, there remains a significant educational divide. And what has further expanded this gap was the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

In this period of adversity, what came as a blessing in disguise for the rural areas was the emergence of new-age technologies that brought alternative modes of education such as remote learning into existence. By enabling students to access education from the comfort of their homes, online learning has narrowed the gap between education and students, sparking an education revolution in rural India.

To further make digital education more accessible to students residing in rural areas, the government has also taken action and launched a number of programs such as e-PATHSHALA, Diksha, and Swayam Prabha with the goal of boosting educational possibilities for students by the means of digital educational resources and content. In addition to these efforts, numerous online learning platforms are readily available, providing accessible and convenient means to attain high-quality education.

Digital learning: Simplifying education for rural students

Affordable and advanced learning: Until recently, traditional educational methods presented challenges for rural students due to their high costs & limited feasibility. However, with the advent of remote learning, a new horizon of educational opportunities has opened up, empowering students with improved access to quality education. This advanced approach not only addresses the previous hindrances but also ensures that students from rural areas can now embark on a journey of enhanced learning and personal growth.

from the convenience of their homes, eliminating the expense of travel and accompanying education resources. Furthermore, replacing the physical notes and textbooks, a variety of media-focused learning materials have emerged, providing students with improved learning opportunities, thanks to education technology. According to a study, individuals in online learning programs containing multimedia content retain information five times better than those in traditional face-to-face classes. These digital learning aids not only increase their knowledge but also generate a positive influence on their academic performance, resulting in superior outcomes.

Convenient access to Experts: Thanks to digital learning, students can now readily connect with experts from anywhere in the world. With the aid of expert guidance and cutting-edge learning tools, rural students in particular are benefitting from a customized learning environment, encouraging their own growth and development. In addition to obtaining expert instruction, learners now have improved networking possibilities, facilitating their academic experiences.

Increased flexibility: Given that the majority of rural students are juggling various extracurricular pursuits, digital learning provides them the opportunity to exercise better control and independence over their learning. With this flexibility, learners can manage their education and other responsibilities simultaneously without worrying about one affecting the other. In addition, it allows them to enroll in additional courses and explore other interests.

Breaking the barriers!

Education, regardless of whether a student resides in a rural or urban region, lays the groundwork for future development. Given the lack of proper resources and infrastructure, rural India has witnessed a substantial education gap, affecting student’s access to quality education. However, as the world embraces technological revolutions across various sectors with education being on top, rural India has experienced a silent yet substantial education revolution.

Granting them an improved degree of control over their education, digital learning has immensely benefited students residing in rural areas. And as we advance, given the current upward trend of remote education in rural areas, it is realistic to assume that an educated rural population will make a moving impact and contribute towards greater economic stability in India.

 

(The author is Kiran Dham, CEO of Globus Infocom, and the views expressed in this article are his own)

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