Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched India Report on Digital Education, 2020. 

Pokhriyal said that the report elaborates on the innovative methods adopted by the HRD ministry, education departments of states and Union Territories for ensuring accessible and inclusive education to children at home and reducing learning gaps. 

Significance of digital education

School education is envisaged as a comprehensive and convergent programme committed to universalise digital education across the wide spectrum of schools from pre-nursery to higher secondary classes. The quality digital education has acquired a new urgency in the present conditions.

To address the challenge of remote learning, MHRD has undertaken several initiatives to assist students, scholars, teachers and lifelong learners in their pursuit of education. These initiatives cover educational requirements, ranging from learners in schools to postgraduates. 

A comprehensive initiative called PM eVidya was announced on May 17, 2020, which aims to unify all efforts related to digital/online/on-air education to enable equitable multi-mode access to education. It is envisaged that it will benefit nearly 25 crore students across the country. Digital education initiatives are also enabling enhanced support for students preparing for competitive exams. 

Some of the projects are:

* DIKSHA platform

* Swayam Prabha TV channel

* Online MOOC courses

* On AIR - Shiksha Vani

* DAISY by NIOS for differently-abled

* ePathshala

* National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER) to develop e-content and energised books with QR codes.

* Telecast through TV channels

* E-learning portals

* Webinars

* Chat groups

* Distribution of books

Initiatives launched by states/UTs:

* Whatsapp group for all classes.

* Online classes through YouTube channel, Google Meet, Skype, etc.

* E-learning portal.

* TV (Doordarshan & regional channels), Radio (AIR).

* Use of DIKSHA.

* SMILE (Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement) in Rajasthan. 

* Project Home Classes in Jammu.

* Padhai Tunhar duvaar (Education at your doorstep) in Chhattisgarh.

* Unnayan initiative in Bihar through portal and mobile application.

* Mission Buniyaad in NCT of Delhi.

* Kerala’s own educational TV channel (Hi-Tech school programme).

* E-scholar portal as well as free online courses for teachers in Meghalaya.

* Online certificate programmes for teachers in Telangana on ‘Management of mental well-being during COVID’.

Various apps/portals launched by states/UTs:

* Madhya Pradesh has launched Top Parent app which empowers parents of young children (3-8 years) with knowledge and strategies around child development. The state also has Knowledge Hub for Electronic Learning (KHEL) - a Game based app for Class 1-3.

* Uttarakhand is making use of Sampark Baithak app through which primary school students can access animated videos, audios, worksheet, puzzles, etc.

* Assam launched Biswa Vidya Assam mobile app for classes 6 to 10. 

* Bihar launched Vidyavahini app with e-books for classes 1 to 12. Under Unnayan Bihar initiative, the state also has Mera Mobile Mera Vidyalaya for students, and Unnayan Bihar Teacher App.

* Chandigarh launched Phoenix app to assess the learning outcome for the students of classes 1 to 8.

* Maharashtra has the Learning Outcomes Smart Q mobile app.

* Punjab launched iScuela Learn app for classes 1 to 10.

* Sikkim Edutech app connects all the schools of Sikkim under the State Education Department.

* Tripura has an application titled ‘EmpowerU Shiksha Darpan’ in order to facilitate students’ appraisal.

* Uttar Pradesh launched ‘Top Parent’ app that provides parents of 3-8-year olds with language, strategies, and resources to actively participate in learning.

Steps to ensure inclusive learning in remote areas without Internet:

* In Arunachal Pradesh, primary class students are receiving radio talks in their mother tongue through All India Radio, Itanagar. 

* Jharkhand has teachers addressing children through regional Doordarshan and available radio slots. The state has also started the Roving teacher where many teachers keep moving to teach children

* Puducherry telecasts classes through virtual control rooms on local TV channels. 

* Manipur has started comic books for students of classes 3-5 to help them learn concepts in a fun way. 

* Ladakh is collaborating with NGOs in providing online education to students even in low connectivity zones. 

* NIOS & Swayam Prabha contents are disseminated focusing on children.

* Andhra Pradesh has started toll-free call centre and video call centre for students for understanding topics and clearing their doubts. 

* Chhattisgarh has started Motor iskool and also started a toll free number as VFS (Virtual Field Support).

* Gujarat started a reading campaign for real reading fluency — Vanchan Abhiyan and Parivar no maalo-salamat ane humfaalo (family’s nest-safe and warm) socio psychological support programme for children.

* West Bengal started an exclusive and dedicated toll-free helpline number to enable students to call and clarify doubts.    

* States and UTs have also distributed textbooks at children’s doorsteps.

* Lakshadweep has distributed tablets equipped with e-contents to students.

* Nagaland distributed study material through DVD/pen drive to students at nominal cost.

* Jammu & Kashmir distributed free tablets to students, along with laptops and Braille tactile readers for visually impaired learners.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store