Overthrowing India's Aging Education System Using Simple Tools and Technology

India is a nation brimming with talent. With the youngest, and the largest, workforce of any country, and an economy that’s the envy of the world, the future is ours for the taking. But that shouldn’t blind us to the very real problems we face.

India’s educational systems have always prioritized rote learning and theoretical knowledge over the real-world application of subject matter. An adherence to antiquated teaching methodologies and a refusal to adopt newly introduced techniques have only compounded these woes. In a country that sees millions of new graduates entering the workforce every year, the ‘demographic dividend’ on offer has yet to be harnessed.

Instead, competition for every job vacancy is fierce, and national unemployment levels remain consistently high. In the face of such a situation, the need for a radical change in the way we do things becomes immediately apparent.

That change, and the answer to many of these woes, can be arrived at in three stages. The first requires the introduction of new learning tools and products into the ecosystem, all of which serve to streamline and enhance the overall educational experience. Then, by automating the administrative side of the learning process, both professors and students can focus solely on their academics.

Ease of access and use is further complemented by gamification. Here game mechanics and elements are integrated into non-game contexts. By presenting information in a fun and interactive manner, learners are more engaged in the lesson and therefore more likely to retain imparted concepts and information.

Dynamic learning methods

Bharat e-Shiksha is a flagship initiative under BharatCares that aims to make quality education accessible with the initiation of a hybrid model of learning for underprivileged students.

They aim to improve the learning outcomes of the school children in their formative years from class 6th to 10th, especially from low-income communities. To achieve our goal, we develop innovative solutions in education, as well engage with the system to drive sustainable and positive impact.

They believe in using technology-based solutions like personalized learning through digital tools and in building a comprehensive pedagogical solution. Under this initiative, teachers and children in rural and remote areas and urban slums are provided with content-loaded tablets or Smart TVs to provide access to digital devices and mentored learning.

Upgrade schooling systems

The initiative aims to bridge the learning gap by setting up Digital Learning Centers, which run under the learned guidance of well-qualified, tech-driven teachers who act as a catalyst of change in the domain of education in their vicinity.

Each Digital Learning Centre (DLC) can cater to 20-25 students who come from marginalized communities facing socio-economic challenges with a lack of provision for online education and relevant academic resources.

Progress mapping

Parents are the key stakeholders in the entire process of making quality education accessible to children. Therefore, they must be aware of the learning mechanism and the improved learning outcomes of their children.

To facilitate this process, BharatCares has started using WhatsApp for Easy Connect. It not only gives weekly updates to the parents about the progress and learning curve of their wards but also highlights the areas of improvement. It also helps in maintaining the overall record of all the students and acts as a platform to discuss and address the challenges.

Roshini Muthukumar

Roshini Muthukumar, a native of Chennai, started her career as a content writer but made a switch to journalism to pursue her passion. She has experience writing about human interest stories, innovative technology, entrepreneurs, research blogs, and more. Previously, Roshini has done internships with The Hindu, Metroplus and worked as a correspondent with The Better India.