EdTech can be the great equalizer in bridging India’s educational gaps – Shrinidhi RS

The rapid growth of educational technology (EdTech) in India is reshaping the landscape of learning, offering innovative solutions to bridge the long-standing divide between urban and rural education.

In a country marked by vast socio-economic diversity, the potential of EdTech to democratize access to quality education is immense. With digital platforms, students in the most remote areas can now tap into resources that were once the privilege of urban schools, leveling the playing field for millions of learners.

The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, accelerating the adoption of digital education tools. However, the journey toward widespread digital inclusion is fraught with challenges. Issues such as inadequate digital infrastructure, limited internet connectivity, and the affordability of devices pose significant barriers, particularly in rural regions.

Despite these challenges, the opportunities that EdTech presents are undeniable, from personalized learning experiences to the ability to overcome traditional constraints of geography and resource availability.

Government initiatives, such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, have laid the groundwork for digital learning's integration into the mainstream education system. The policy emphasizes the need for a blended approach, combining traditional and digital methods to create a more robust and inclusive education framework.

In this interview with Education Post, Shrinidhi RS, Founder and CEO of CherriLearn, highlighted the critical role of EdTech in addressing these inequalities. He discussed how collaborations between the government and the private sector could enhance digital infrastructure and make technology more accessible to rural students.

Mr. Shrinidhi's insights underscore the need for a concerted effort to harness the power of EdTech, ensuring that no student, regardless of their location, is left behind in the digital age of education.

Q. The growth of EdTech in India has accelerated significantly, especially post-pandemic. How do you view the overall role of EdTech in addressing educational inequalities across rural and urban areas, particularly in the context of India’s vast socio-economic diversity?

EdTech holds the potential to be a great equalizer in India’s education system, bridging gaps that arise from socio-economic and geographical disparities. By making quality educational resources available online, students in rural areas can access the same learning opportunities as their urban counterparts. This is crucial in a country where access to qualified teachers and standardized resources often depends on location and economic background. The use of vernacular languages in digital content further ensures inclusivity, allowing students from diverse linguistic backgrounds to learn effectively.

However, the real challenge lies in reaching regions with limited digital infrastructure and ensuring that the affordability of these solutions matches the economic realities of rural families.

Q. With the National Education Policy (NEP) introduced back in 2020 promoting digital learning, what challenges and opportunities do you see for the EdTech industry in scaling quality education to rural regions, and what role can government policy play in enabling this?

The NEP 2020 has been a game-changer, emphasizing digital learning as a core part of education reform. The opportunities include the potential to scale personalized, localized education and increase teacher support through digital tools. However, challenges such as limited internet penetration, lack of device availability, and low digital literacy in rural areas persist.

Government policies can play a transformative role by strengthening digital infrastructure, such as expanding broadband access through BharatNet, and introducing subsidies for smart devices to make technology accessible to underprivileged students. Additionally, training programs for teachers to effectively use digital tools are essential to ensuring the scalability of these efforts in rural regions.

Q. In the context of India's digital infrastructure, how do you think the EdTech industry can collaborate with government initiatives to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that rural students have equitable access to online learning?

Collaboration between the EdTech industry and government initiatives is critical for bridging the digital divide. Government programs like BharatNet, Diksha, and e-Pathshala are already paving the way for digital inclusion. The EdTech industry can complement these efforts by creating localized, low-bandwidth content optimized for rural users. Joint initiatives, such as public-private partnerships, can address infrastructure gaps while ensuring that rural schools receive the training and tools they need to adopt digital learning effectively.

For example, offering devices to students through subsidized programs or creating offline-compatible solutions can ensure equitable access to learning, even in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Q. Given the rapid evolution of education technology, what shifts do you foresee in how EdTech companies will interact with traditional education systems in the coming years, and how can these interactions improve education outcomes at a national level?

The future of education in India lies in a hybrid model where EdTech complements traditional education. Schools and educators will increasingly use digital tools to enhance classroom learning, offering personalized learning paths, real-time assessments, and access to global resources. This integration can improve outcomes by addressing gaps in teacher-student ratios and standardizing the quality of education across regions. For instance, digital platforms can enable rural schools to access expert content and live sessions, reducing the dependency on local infrastructure or teacher availability. Over time, such collaborations can lead to a more inclusive and outcome-driven education system, benefiting students nationwide.

Q. As EdTech continues to expand into rural markets, what do you believe are the key areas of policy support needed from the government to foster innovation while ensuring educational equity and quality?

Policy support should focus on three primary areas: infrastructure, affordability, and content localization. Expanding internet coverage and providing affordable digital devices are foundational to scaling EdTech solutions in rural markets. Policies promoting content creation in regional languages and alignment with local curricula can ensure relevance and effectiveness.

Additionally, regulatory frameworks that incentivize innovation while maintaining quality standards are necessary. For instance, offering tax benefits or grants for EdTech companies focusing on rural education can encourage investments in underserved areas. Finally, fostering partnerships between schools, NGOs, and EdTech platforms can create a collaborative ecosystem aimed at achieving educational equity.

Q. Looking at the broader global landscape, what lessons can India’s EdTech sector learn from other countries in terms of leveraging technology to improve access to education, and how can these insights inform future government-industry collaborations?

India can draw several lessons from global pioneers in EdTech. Countries like Finland emphasize integrating technology from an early age, ensuring digital literacy becomes a core skill. African nations have adopted innovative mobile-first approaches to deliver education in low-resource settings, a model that aligns well with India’s rural context.

Another key takeaway is the importance of government-industry collaboration. For example, Singapore’s EdTech ecosystem benefits from robust public-private partnerships that focus on teacher training and scalable technology solutions. By adopting similar models, India can enhance its approach to rural education, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for inclusion rather than deepening existing divides.