‘Digital shift in edu a chance for data renaissance’

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 1

While many in the education sector still debate whether the ongoing shift from conventional teaching to digitalisation will improve the quality of education in schools, eminent educationists participating in the FICCI FLO education summit felt that the changes in the sector in the past one year will be the great leveller rather than create a disparity.

“I think the gap between government schools and private schools is narrowing with transition towards technology-driven teaching and it will continue to be so. The fact that this change was brought upon us in a span of one year instead of five years is another achievement. There are so many schools in villages now that have adapted to digital classrooms and continue to receive assistance to bridge the learning gap,” said Dr Sumer Singh, president, Boarding School Association of India.

Agreeing to his opinion was Jayshree Periwal, chairperson, Jayshree Periwal International School, Jaipur. “Knowledge is now one click away and there are so many digital platforms that offer free lectures and free curriculum and are easily accessible. It’s time for digital renaissance for the children and data renaissance for the government. The government must take this opportunity to create data on software for learning assistance and to enhance the skills of teachers keeping in mind this technological transition. A kid from remote village has now the opportunity to learn from the best teachers in the world,” she said.

Stressing on developing technology-assisted learning a part of the school curriculum, the educationists were of the view that digital data must be used to ensure no student is left behind. “Before the pandemic too, there were many who were left outside the education circle. Technology offers us a chance to overcome this isolation and focus on inclusive learning through consolidated community efforts and through technology transfer. We, for example, initiated efforts to digitally transfer readymade learning material to local community schools in our area,” said Lt Gen Surendra Kulkarni, director, Mayo College, Ajmer. They also talked of overcoming the learning gap of past year to combat long-term repercussions.

“To think that schools can begin afresh, without doing anything to bridge the learning gap brought about by the pandemic, will be a wrong move. One has to overcome that gap, especially for primary students, to avoid any long-term learning challenges,” said Lt Gen Kulkarni.