How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate your answer.

Digital education refers to the use of Digi-tech and digital-media for the purpose of education. It was considered as a new frontier of the IT revolution, whose need was exacerbated as the schools remained shut during COVID induced lockdown.

Prominent Digital education initiatives include:

1. SWAYAM prabha- digital TV channels dedicated to curriculum-based education.

2. National Digital Library- academic textbook repository

3. e-Pathshala- for disseminating e-resources

4. Manodarpan Initiative: Psychological counselling for students

Positive Role of Digital Education in educational sector:

1. Continuity of learning during the lockdown and school closure days

2. Use of tools like AI, Data Analytics to better monitor learning outcomes

3. Interactive learning solutions via a host of graphical and digital interfaces.

4. Breaking the transmission chain without compromising the education process.

5. Accessibility of best teachers and resources from any corner of the country.

Challenges associated with digital education:

1. High digital divide: Urban vs rural leading to education disparity creating a vicious cycle

2. Low affordability of smartphones and low latency internet connection.

3. Health issues like eyesight problems, ringing of ears etc

4. Addiction to mobile phone proves detrimental with respect to cognitive abilities.

5. Laboratory oriented subjects suffered due to lack of access to physical laboratories.

6. Reduction in health metrics due to reduced physical exercises, outdoor games etc.

Online education is a tool to achieve universalisation of education in accordance with Article 21 and New Education Policy 2020. However, challenges associated with it must be addressed by Government by increasing internet penetration and code on digital education, Private sector via CSR funds and civil society via monitoring.