Is Ed- Tech Playing A Role In Closing The Learning Gaps In The Education System?

his year, India's flourishing Ed-tech sector has everything it wants: an unprecedented spike in users, a flurry of billion-dollar investors, and, most significantly, a shift in attitude that supports Ed-tech but can it cater to the education crisis in India?

Ed-tech companies have got the nerve of the Indian education system, they are alternative ways to crack the competitive exams, The reason for this is that the Indian education system is exam-centric. The students are not taught to think critically or to be creative. The focus is on rote learning and getting good marks. This is why most Ed-tech companies are focusing on competitive exams.

Are Ed-tech companies revolutionising the education system?

Most firms that have entered the field to revolutionise education in India have had no choice but to adapt to meet these demands. While online classes have made it easier to provide instruction, they still follow the classroom model. The main change is that instead of using books and exam centres, mock tests and test preparations are now done online. The apps have a fancy user interface with different types of questions and question banks along with enough marketing to attract students.

Is Technology only acting as an alternative delivery tool?

In India's educational system, technology is more of an alternate delivery tool, but the educational process and structure remain conventional. What these firms are doing is making the material more available to those in society who have the purchasing power through digital distribution. The entire model is based on the course they are providing, many ed-tech companies are selling their entire course for self-study. Those who are better at marketing and selling their ideas can attract more funds.

Ed-tech companies are like a top-up to regular classroom books and tuition notes

In most cases, the products and services of these firms supplement what is available in the regular classroom. They are not replacing the teacher, but are giving the student more material and tools to learn from. There is a lot of rote learning in Indian schools, so any tool that can help the student get over this hump is valuable.

Are these companies making an impact?

Many of these firms have only been operational for a few years, so it is too early to tell if they are making an impact. Some firms are starting to make inroads into the system and are having an impact, but this is still limited. The problem is that most of these companies are not innovating, they are just adapting to what is already available in the market packaged in attractive boxes.

The Indian workforce faces serious issues when it comes to specialized technical skills and soft skills, how are ED-tech companies solving this issue?

According to Entrepreneur India, Ed-Tech start-ups are divided into three groups. The first group is for students in grades K-12 with a market capitalisation of roughly $20 billion. They assist pupils in studying and improving their grades at school. The second category caters to students preparing for competitive tests, course selection, and admission to elite schools in India and abroad, their estimated market is worth $8 billion. The third category provides career coaching and job placement assistance to students and professionals and the market is currently valued at over $1 billion.

It will be fascinating to observe whether any Ed-Tech business begins to cater to Indian college students, assisting them in obtaining placements and jobs through their platform. Some platforms are helping students learn communication skills, preparing them to apply for jobs, and giving students the skill set to be market-ready but they are not the ones trending in ads.

Are Ed-tech companies helping to fill the skill gap?

The work skill sets change every year as new markets and technology emerge. Despite the influx of new and creative formats, the educational system's backbone remains conventional as parents continue to place a premium on grades, causing pupils to rely on additional study materials and fees.

Fear of tests and a one-size-fits-all approach drive learning in our educational system, which is still associated with terminology like "board exams," "admission exams," and "marks," although digitised. In India, every curriculum is exam-driven, and society does not trust other evaluation procedures.

Formal educational degrees are insufficient owing to the dynamic nature of the corporate environment. As a result, businesses must identify and interact with individuals in the areas where they do business to design and implement specialised personality and soft skills development programs that address body language, work ethics, time management, team management, and communication skills. Companies can also provide high school graduates with career counseling, practical training, and assistance through apprenticeships.

What should be the long-term goal of Ed-Tech companies?

The key benefits of this learning technology that plays an essential role in solving the educational crisis are the ability to provide Interactive Education, ways to create classroom engagement, Tracking of students' progress, and a way to measure students' progress.

Gamification of the course materials promotes learners to self-learn through active learning. Ed-Tech also enables them to prepare and participate in successful professional assessments by themselves, as well as encouraging students to take charge of their education and acknowledge their achievements.

But the problem that looms is "will ED-tech be able to solve the reading and writing crisis that most kids in India face today?" Or will it lead to even more unemployment as the youths will now think that they can get jobs by simply taking these online courses and not going to college?

The long-term goal of most of these companies is to be the go-to provider for all things education in India. This is a very ambitious goal and one that will take many years to achieve.

The way forward for Ed-Tech is to move away from the rote learning that is so prevalent in India and focus on providing interactive and engaging content that will encourage active learning. Additionally, these companies need to start innovating and not just rely on the tried and tested methods that have been used for decades. Only then will they be able to make a real impact on education in India.