On 28th July 2020, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Union Minister for Human Resource Development(HRD) launched the compilation India Report – Digital Education June 2020 prepared by the Digital Education Division of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in consultation with Education Departments of States and UTs.
The report highlights the methods adopted by the MHRD and the Education Department of States and Union Territories(UT) to ensure the accessibility to education for the children at home.
Note:
The Ministry of Human Resource Development(MHRD) was renamed as the Ministry of Education(MoE) on 29th July 2020.
India Report – Digital Education:
i.The report discusses on the projects to assist the students, teachers and scholars on digital education like DIKSHA, Swayam Prabha TV Channel, Online MOOC courses, On Air Shiksha Vani, DAISY by NIOS(differently-abled), e-PathShala, National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER) to develop e-content and energized books and other digital initiatives of State and UT Governments.
ii.The social media tools like WhatsApp Group, YouTube channel, Google meet, Skype were used as a medium to connect the students.
iii.The E-learning portals, Television, Radio and DIKSHA were majorly used by the stakeholders.
iv.States and UTs have also distributed textbooks for children to ensure inclusive learning.
Remote learning Initiatives of State Governments:
- Chhattisgarh – Padhai Tunhar duvaar (Education at your doorstep)
- Goa partnered with Embibe, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered online platform to support the entrance exam preparation of the students.
- Jammu – Project Home Classes
- Kerala – educational TV channel (Hi-Tech school programme)
- Lakshadweep – distributed tablets with e-content for students.
- Meghalaya – E-scholar portal as well as free online courses for teachers
- NCT of Delhi – Mission Buniyaad
- Rajasthan – SMILE (Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement)
Telangana – online certificate programs for teachers on ‘Management of mental well-being during COVID’.
- Uttarakhand – uses Sampark Baithak App to provide videos, puzzles, worksheet for primary level students.
Mobile Apps Launched for Remote Learning:
| State | Mobile Application |
|---|---|
| Assam | Biswa Vidya Assam Mobile App |
| Bihar | Vidyavahin app, Mera Mobile Mera Vidyalaya for students and Unnayan Bihar Teacher App |
| Chandigarh | Phoenix Mobile app |
| Madhya Pradesh | Top Parent App |
| Maharashtra | Learning Outcomes Smart Q Mobile App |
| Punjab | iScuela Learn Mobile App |
| Sikkim | Edutech App |
| Tripura | EmpowerU Shiksha Darpan |
| Uttar Pradesh | Top Parent app |
Low tech forms of teaching:
i.Radio talks in mother tongue and Regional Doordarshan are used for teaching in Arunachal Pradesh and districts of Jharkhand.
ii.Classes are telecasted from a virtual control room over the local TV channels in Puducherry.
iii.Comic books for students of classes 3 to 5 are published in Manipur.
iv.To provide online education for students in low network area’s Ladakh collaborated with Non-governmental organisations like EMBIBE Bangalore and 17000 feet.
v.Haryana conducts quiz competition to engage students amid lockdown due to global pandemic.
vi.Toll Free Call Centre and Toll Free Video call centre were started in Andhra Pradesh to support the students with limited access to TV and Radio and no access to internet.
vii.Motor iskool and a toll free number as VFS (Virtual Field Support) were started by Chhattisgarh.
viii.Gujarat initiated Vanchan Abhiyan,a reading campaign and Parivar no maalo-salamat ane humfaalo (family’s nest-safe and warm) to provide socio psychological support for children.
ix.West Bengal also started a toll-free helpline number to clarify the students’ doubts.
x.Karnataka launched Pariksha Vani, an exam preparation program through Doordarshan
xi.Tamil Nadu provides an online practice test for students of government and government aided for NEET exam.
About Ministry of Education(MoE):
The Ministry of Human Resource Development(MHRD) was renamed as the Ministry of Education(MoE) on 29th July 2020.
Union Minister– Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
Minister of State– Sanjay Dhotre.
Recent Related News:
i.Union HRD Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched an Artificial Intelligence(AI) -powered mobile app called the ‘National Test Abhyas’ developed by National Testing Agency(NTA) to enable candidates to take mock tests for JEE Main and NEET.
ii.Union HRD Minister releases three handbooks prepared by CBSE on Cyber security for students, 21st Century Skills and Principals’ handbook.
