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Online Education in India
Context:
]The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is preparing to introduce regulations for online education to ensure quality content and delivery platforms.
The Growing Demand for Online Education
- Digital Learning as a Growth Tool: Online education is becoming integral to India’s education system.
- Interest Among Youth: 28% of Gen Z and 23% of millennials in India are keen on higher education and skill enhancement. With 377 million Gen Z individuals and 300 million millennials, online learning presents vast opportunities.
- Educational Revolution: India is on the verge of an educational revolution, fueled by digital learning.
- High demand for online courses in business management, technology, data analytics, and emerging fields like artificial intelligence (AI).
- Over 60 universities (including IITs, IIMs, IIITs) now offer online programs. New Education Policy 2020 ensures that only top institutions provide credible online courses.
Online Education as a Pathway to Professional Advancement
- Specialised online courses help individuals upskill and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving economy.
- Government platforms like Swayam and Coursera provide flexible, accessible courses in high-demand fields like AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and digital marketing.
- These courses offer certifications increasingly recognised by employers as evidence of continuous learning and adaptability.
Need for Standards in Online Education
- The online education sector is rapidly growing but lacks uniform quality standards.
- Variability in course quality affects student learning outcomes.
- Establishing guidelines will ensure accountability and effectiveness in digital learning.
Role of BIS and Government Collaboration
- BIS, under the Department of Consumer Affairs, is developing these norms in coordination with the Ministry of Education.
- The aim is to regulate the quality of online course content and the platforms delivering them.
- Clear rules will ensure institutions follow quality guidelines rather than focusing solely on profitability.
Impact on Online Education Providers
- The new standards will help maintain consistency across e-learning platforms.
- Institutions and content creators will be required to adhere to established quality benchmarks.
- This move will ensure students receive reliable and effective learning resources.
Market Growth and Significance
- India’s e-learning market is valued at over $10 billion and is projected to reach $28.46 billion by 2029 (Arizton Advocacy and Intelligence report).
- The high demand for online courses, including from higher education institutions, makes accountability a timely necessity.
Challenges in Online Education
- Digital Divide: Rural areas lack reliable internet infrastructure.
- Quality Assurance: Ensuring consistency across platforms remains a challenge.
- Digital Literacy & Motivation: Many learners struggle with technology and self-discipline.
- Employer Recognition: Traditional degrees are still favoured by many companies.
- Cultural Barriers: Societal norms, particularly in rural areas, may restrict women’s access to education.
Government Initiatives in Digital Education
- PM E-Vidhya (Launched May 2020): A comprehensive program to unify digital and online education, targeting 25 crore school students across India for better access to e-learning.
- DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing): Launched in 2017 with the vision of ‘One Nation, One Digital Platform’. Covers grades 1 to 12, offering e-content aligned with the curriculum, accessible via web portal or mobile app. It includes assignments and courses for educators as well.
- SWAYAM Prabha TV: Consists of 32 channels broadcasting educational programs with the aim of ‘One Class, One Channel’. Provides asynchronous access to educational content via TV and is partnered with Tata Sky and Airtel for telecast.
- VidyaDaan: Launched in April 2020 to seek donations and contributions for digital education resources. Supported by states like Assam, Goa, Kerala, and several others, including CBSE and NCERT, to contribute content for DIKSHA.
- E-Pathshala: Focuses on students, teachers, and parents by providing E-textbooks with over 3500+ curriculum content in English, Sanskrit, Urdu, and Hindi. Available via web portal or mobile app.
The Road Ahead
- Coordinated Efforts: Policymakers, institutions, and industry leaders must work together.
- Industry Integration: Courses should align with market needs and involve experienced professionals.
- Infrastructure Development: Expanding internet access to rural areas will enable broader participation.
Bureau of Indian Standards
- BIS is India’s National Standard Body, established under the BIS Act 2016.
- Headquarters: Located in New Delhi.
- Regional Offices (ROs): Kolkata (Eastern), Chennai (Southern), Mumbai (Western), Chandigarh (Northern), Delhi (Central).
- Main Objectives:
- Harmonious development of activities related to standardisation, marking, and quality certification of goods.
- Ensures safe and reliable quality goods, minimises health hazards, promotes exports, and substitutes imports.
- Controls the proliferation of varieties through standardisation, certification, and testing.
