Editorial: Bridging the digital divide

Project to extend broadband service to 140,000 village councils needs new commitment

Hyderabad: While technology is a great equalizer, especially in a diverse country like India, issues of access become critical to fully exploit the transformational benefits of new technologies. The widening gap between the digital haves and have-nots is exacerbating the burden of socioeconomic inequality in the country. Public schools lag behind private schools when it comes to reliable internet connections. Private schools have been accelerating the process of exposing students to new digital learning opportunities. Of India’s 1.02 million public schools, only 247,000 have Internet facilities. The pandemic has highlighted the potential of digital learning solutions and the lasting impact of the digital divide. On the one hand are edtech companies, smart classrooms, robotics and artificial intelligence. On the other side are schools where teacher shortages are a chronic problem, where computers are absent, smartphones are gadgets for home sharing, and low internet speeds are disruptors rather than enablers. Centers and states need to actively promote digital learning. To do this, they need to invest in expanding infrastructure and connectivity. As part of this, a project to expand broadband services to 140,000 village councils will require renewed commitment. Access to information and communication technologies can affect every imaginable aspect of life. Lack of digital infrastructure can deprive individuals of essential resources. The digital divide poses major challenges to distance learning and teaching. During the pandemic, educational institutions have turned to online learning as regular learning has been suspended. Technology has played a key role in making online learning interactive and fluid.

However, there are still many challenges that cause frustration during the learning process. According to a study by Azim Premji Foundation, 60% of school children do not have access to online learning opportunities. Another study by Oxam India reported issues with internet signal and speed. The cost of mobile data has also been a setback, with many struggling to subscribe. Only 20% of school-age children have access to distance education during the pandemic. According to a survey, only about 8% of rural children were able to study online normally during the epidemic. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of access to smartphones in many households. Even among households with smartphones, the proportion of children who study online regularly is only 31% in urban areas and 15% in rural areas. Many children are forced to drop out of school. Digital schooling is the only logical way to continue learning for children during the pandemic. But now, whether traditional or digital education is the main way forward, there needs to be a focus on building a more resilient system for the future.