World Earth Day: Doodling greener facts to ‘Invest in our Planet’

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April 22, 2023

“Invest in our Planet” – This year’s theme of World Earth Day is apt according to our
mother Earth’s conditions, it’s high time that we invest in our planet and make it a better
home for our future generation— Remember, there is no planet B. Today, as much as we
are planning to become a sustainable ecosystem, we are somehow lagging far behind.
This year’s theme tries to focus on measures that are eco-friendly, with a sharp emphasis
on reducing carbon footprints and promoting green initiatives and at the same time,
conserving the energy that we have by using it in a sustainable way.

The promotion of sustainable development and the raising of awareness about ecological
issues are crucial goals that can be effectively achieved through environmental education.
With the advent of digital technology, access to information has been revolutionized, and
digital libraries have emerged as a key resource in supporting this education. By
providing convenient access to a vast repository of resources, including scientific
publications, research papers, and multimedia content, these libraries encourage
engagement and critical thinking, making them an invaluable tool for promoting
environmental education.

Digital Libraries are a significant effort towards making this planet a sustainable one. In
digital libraries, we have a diverse range of books and information that too with
minimum damage to the environment, more specifically trees which are the primary
source of making a piece of paper. According to a report by UNESCO, Digital libraries
have been credited with enhancing education for sustainable development (ESD).

Though the revolutionising technologies are creating a lot of innovations in education
sector, at the same time there are reports which show the dark side of using the
technology. Interestingly, the buzzing word ChatGPT – the latest application of AI and
NLP is not only turning pages for a lot of job opportunity, it is adding a different chapter
to the resources we have for our future generation. The University of California Riverside
and the University of Texas Arlington have released a paper titled “Making AI Less
Thirsty”; that examines the environmental impact of AI training. The study highlights the
substantial amount of electricity and water required to cool data centers. The researchers
specifically focused on companies like OpenAI and Google, and their data processing
centers. The findings reveal that Microsoft, which is partnered with OpenAI, consumed a
staggering 185,000 gallons of water during the training of GPT-3 alone.

In today’s world where sustainability is a major goal, it is crucial to invest wisely in
every step. We have One Earth and We are going to have only one in future as well. We
need to think and use practices which conserve energy, and reduce carbon footprints just
like the use of digital libraries and have to stop using resources which are hazardous and
causing an alarming situation for mother earth. Let’s pledge to act wisely and conserve
our Planet Earth on this ‘ World Earth Day’.

BYJU’S to raise $400-600 Mn from 10X AD and Apollo Global Management

Corporate Updates

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 21, 2023

According to reports, the edtech decacorn BYJU’S is in discussions to raise between $400 million and $600 million with the US-based Apollo Global Management and the Abu Dhabi-based fund 10X AD.

If the deal is approved, 10X AD could invest $150–200 Mn in either the parent business Think and Learn Private Ltd. of BYJU or a subsidiary called Aakash Education Services. The edtech leader, on the other hand, has also contacted Apollo Global to request a $200–250 Mn structured finance for Aakash.

Sources claim that 10X AD is considering both alternatives, including leading an investor consortium and going it alone. In addition, the Abu Dhabi-based fund has requested guaranteed internal rates of return (IRRs), select options, and preference rights as “downside protection” in the deal.

The late-stage tech-focused fund is known to bring in other investors and organisations, like ADQ, to shore up the pool size, though it typically invests between $30 and $50 million on its own. A few more local small investment groups may potentially participate in the deal.

According to the reports, Disrupt AD, the venture capital arm of ADQ, is considering increasing its initial interest in the leading provider of edtech and may participate in the fundraising.

For its subsidiary Aakash, BYJU’S has additionally asked Apollo Global for funding. A preferred instrument with a fixed, previously agreed-upon IRR and downside protection may be used to make this $200–250 million investment, or it could occur at a discount to the following round.

It’s interesting to note that the PE company rejected BYJU’s earlier attempt to obtain funding from Apollo Global.

The turbulence in indian edtech industry- lessons from layoffs

Features

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Sheeba Chauhan, Senior Sub Editor

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April 21, 2023

Over the past few years, there has been a growing interest in edtech, with many claiming that it could revolutionise the way we learn and teach. From digital textbooks to online learning platforms and interactive whiteboards, edtech has promised to make education more accessible, engaging, and effective. However, despite the hype and investments pouring into the sector, edtech has yet to deliver on its promises. In fact, there are signs that edtech might be heading for a downfall, with upcoming challenges that could make it even more difficult for it to succeed.

According to global data, Indian edtech market size was valued at $3.42 billion in 2021 and is expected to achieve a CAGR of more than 30 per cent during 2021-2026. The increased internet penetration into the youth has pushed varied industries to go digital and education is one of the major sectors that followed digitisation to a great extent. With the advent of education going digital, edtech market has shown only an inclined graph. The current scenario however seems gloomy, while the Indian edtech market was the third largest in 2021. However, after the global boom of edtech during, and post-pandemic, the situation seems to turn out. Money Control research and other media reports said that 3,700 edtech employees were laid off alone till June 2022. As per a report by Inc42, initially, 60 employees from the tech and product teams were laid off. This round of layoffs witnessed at LEAD comes as an annual exercise. The list is endless from the unicorn edtechs like BYJU’S, Unacademy, UpGrad, Eruditus, and LEAD who laid off several employees despite having several rounds of funding.

An impetus on sudden ‘pitfall’

One of the main reasons for the downfall of edtech is the faith of the parents to trust a complete digital resource for their wards’ future. However, the same was mitigated to a larger extent during covid when schools were closed and entire schools shifted to screens. The process worked well in the unprecedented times and the faith of parents was gained. But once the situation got settled with the new normal, a lot of parents shifted back to brick and mortar. Also, despite the promises of personalised learning and improved outcomes, there is little research to support these claims, especially for early childhood education.

Furthermore, many edtech products are not rigorously tested or evaluated, and then often show mixed or inconclusive results. In some cases, the use of edtech can even be detrimental to learning, as it can distract students or lead to a shallow understanding of concepts.

Another factor contributing to the downfall of edtech is the digital divide. While edtech has the potential to democratise access to education, it also exacerbates existing inequalities. Not all students have access to the internet, computers, or other devices needed to use edtech products, and even those who do may not have the skills or support needed to use them effectively. This means that edtech can end up widening the achievement gap between privileged and disadvantaged students, rather than narrowing it.

While an upcoming setback can be seen as tweaking the inclined graph of edtechs is the AI tools like ChatGPT. Earlier chatbots were considered useful for edtech as they were generating customised question papers, evaluated students’ performance, and even helped teachers in assessing students. But with the emergence of AI tools like ChatGPT, the need for digital trainers or educators is somehow going to dissolve. The definition of ‘Guru’ seems to evolve with the emergence of such high-end tools.

Industry Speaks

Baseema Anayat, principal, Shah Rasool Memorial Welkin Higher Secondary School, Jammu and Kashmir shared, “If we look at our education system pre and post-COVID, one finds a drastic change. Edtech, Ahhh Change is something that one can not avoid. Like every industry, education too is going through a digital transformation.”

“Now its impact on the school system as I said earlier that any technology that is introduced, will only facilitate us. Besides, traditional education, edtech is here to stay along. We can use technology to provide students with a personalised learning process according to their ability”, she added.

Rashmi Singh, Principal, Poddar Brio International School, Badlapur, Maharashtra shared, “E-learning platforms are transforming the education sector in the country by bridging the gap between supply and demand. With affordable internet charges, even the rural sectors can use such platforms for personal and professional development. Language learning, online tutoring and technology skills development are the dominant themes in the education landscape of the country. The fast-paced emergence of Edtech has transcended beyond classroom boundaries within no time. The education system is evolving and attaining a more holistic approach. With industries directly connecting with e-learning institutions. the content has never been so up-to-date. Together, all this makes e-learning platforms complete, and students and working professionals future-ready, in a matter of months.”

The e-Learning penetration is observed in various large and medium-sized organizations for a cost-effective mode of skill development and training sessions. In the current scenario of technological disruption, professionals have to re-skill themselves every 4 to 5 years for being relevant to their existing job roles. As already hinted, the Government of India is taking a lot of initiatives to boost and accentuate the e-learning sector. Thus it is adapting to the technological revolution. “E-learning platforms are bringing a measurable difference in students’ engagement and performance. It is reducing gaps in the delivery of education and giving a new dimension to the education space.”

According to renowned educator Welton Fitzwater, “The future of the world is in my classroom today.” The statement is true to its core with the emergence of the new-age classroom in the era of digital transformation. Edtech is one of the major sectors that have been affected by digitisation. The multi-channel approach to the education sector has enabled students to gain knowledge via various mediums besides classrooms, like smartphones, desktops, laptops, tablets etc, she added.

I strongly feel all such online platforms and learning sites contribute to the fast-growing Edtech sector of the nation. Besides the online platforms, schools and colleges also take part in the educational revolution and it will better the school education ecosystem, she concluded.

Shakeup despite the funding boom

The Indian edtech market valued at $750 million in 2020 and is predicted to reach $4 billion by 2025, is suddenly facing some turbulence. In 2022, Edtech has seen the most layoffs, followed by consumer services and e-commerce. Four of the seven edtech unicorns laid off 8,000+ employees, and the sector has also seen five startups shut down in 2022. In April 2022, Unacademy laid off 600 employees, followed by Vedantu which laid off 200 employees, and then 800 WhiteHat Jr employees resigned from the Byju’s-owned edtech start-up within a span of 2 months after being asked to work from office. The ride has been topsy-turvy both for the employer, employees and leaders of edtech segment right from the beginning of 2022.

However, there were some surprising moments for the edtech companies as well. Funding in the edtech segment has shown a positive trend in Q3 CY22 compared to the previous quarter (in value terms), as per the PwC India report titled, “Startup Deals Tracker – Q3 CY22.” In Q3 CY22, 81 per cent of funding activity was contributed by upGrad, which raised $225 million, followed by Sunstone, which raised $35 million. According to Inc42 data, Indian startups raised $25 Bn in 2022 which was down 40% compared with the watershed moment that was 2021.

Edtech wave in the education sector was massive and impressive but the shift has revealed deep-seated inequalities in access to technology and internet connectivity. The upcoming challenges for edtech are numerous and complex. One of the main challenges is the need to balance the benefits of technology with the need for human interaction and personalised instruction. As, many limitations of edtech are witnessed in terms of providing social interaction, hands-on learning, and emotional support, which are crucial for many students. While edtech can provide access to vast amounts of information and resources, it cannot replace the guidance and feedback of skilled teachers. Furthermore, edtech products often rely on standardised assessments and algorithms to personalise learning, which can overlook the unique needs, interests, and strengths of individual learners.

Another challenge is the need to address the digital divide and ensure that all students have access to technology and support. This requires not only investment in infrastructure and devices but also training for teachers and families on how to use them effectively. It also requires attention to the social and emotional needs of students, as well as the cultural and linguistic diversity of classrooms.

While the third challenge is the need to promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, which are essential skills for success in the 21st century. Edtech can provide opportunities for exploration and experimentation, it shouldn’t promote passive consumption and rote memorisation. Edtech somehow also isolates students from each other and from real-world contexts, which are crucial for developing empathy, cultural competence, and problem-solving skills.

To overcome these challenges and avoid the downfall of edtech, we need a more holistic and thoughtful approach to technology integration in education. This approach should start with a clear understanding of the goals and values of education, as well as the needs and aspirations of students and teachers. It should also involve ongoing evaluation and improvement of edtech products, based on rigorous research and feedback from users.

Furthermore, this approach should prioritise equity and inclusion, recognising the diversity of learners and the complex social and cultural contexts in which they learn. It should also foster collaboration and dialogue among all stakeholders, including educators, students, parents, policymakers, and industry leaders. By working together, we can create!

Leapfrogging into the future!

India’s education ministry made some significant announcements in the past 6 months. The announcement of setting up foreign university campuses in India, a hands-up for e-degrees, dual degrees & twin degrees as well as a major impetus on skills development is going to snatch a major market for edtech sector.

As per the recent report by Technavio on the Online Education Market, India’s online education market is set to grow at a CAGR of 21 per cent between 2020-24 to reach a market size of US$ 14.33 billion, indicating that prospects of this area are vast. The Edtech segment is one of the fastest to grow with such impressive numbers. Some of the unicorn edtech leaders even stated that the sudden downfall of edtech market will not be lingering for long. The market will rise and will rise high.

Digital-First Approach in Education: Addressing Challenges

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 21, 2023

“In today’s consumer world, the way buyers and sellers interact with each other has fundamentally changed, becoming digital-first. Digital experiences are critical in the buyer’s journey, especially in education”, shared Abhishek Ballabh, Co-Founder, Extraaedge at the 25th Elets World Education Summit in Dubai.

“The increasing competition, changing student expectations, and the need for digital adoption are the recent trends in education. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the go-to-market strategy for education became digital-first, and this paradigm shift has created challenges for higher education. Challenges such as the admission experience, consistent brand building, effective communication, understanding what courses are selling well, and timely communication are still prevalent in the industry. To address these challenges, higher education institutions need to focus on providing a tailor-made experience, consistent brand building, effective and on-time communication, data-driven decision-making, and real-time communication to meet the expectations of Gen Z”, added Abhishek Ballabh, Co-Founder, Extraaedge.

Our aim at Extra Edge is to assist universities worldwide in becoming more proficient in their go-to-market strategies by addressing their challenges. The key to resolving these obstacles is to create a digital experience that incorporates a human touch. Selling courses is a career-defining move that necessitates human guidance, but it must also be a digital experience, he concluded.

UGC proposes Earn-while-Learn scheme for ‘Disadvantage Group’

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 20, 2023

A significant intervention to make higher education institutions more welcoming and secure for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, including SCs, STs, OBCs, religious and linguistic minorities, among others, has been proposed in the draft guidelines framed by UGC for providing an equitable opportunity for these sections by allowing students to work part-time (20 hours per week) while studying to help them earn and improve employability.

UGC, the organisation that regulates higher education, made the draught of “Guidelines for Equitable Opportunity to the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) in HEIs)” available for public comment.

A nationwide discussion on students’ mental health has been sparked by a recent series of student suicides at higher education institutions, including IITs, central universities, IIMs, and NITs, among others. The Lok Sabha was informed last month that over half of all the students who committed suicide over the previous five years belonged to the SC, ST, and OBC categories.

Additionally, the draft suggests that institutions should offer new students relevant orientation, bridge courses, and professional and psychological counseling. These students may need assistance with language barriers or with a smooth transition to rigorous engineering and other professional courses, so the draught suggests these services. It states that counsellors “must ensure the students’ physical, psychological, and emotional well-being.”

The plan has been designed in accordance with the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which broadly categorises SEDGs based on gender identities, particularly those of women and transgender people, socio-cultural identities, including those of SCs, STs, OBCs, and minorities, geographical identities, including those of students from villages, small towns, and aspirational districts, disabilities, including learning disabilities, and socio-economic conditions.

The ‘Earn-while-Learn (EWL)’ scheme, according to the draft, is a way to assist SEDG students in earning money to support their studies while developing skills and abilities that would improve their employability. Additionally, it will assist in lowering the student dropout rate.

Career prospects in Digital Employer Branding: Amandeep Kaur, Phoenix TalentX Branding

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 20, 2023

Digital employer branding has emerged as a crucial component of recruitment and retention strategies for businesses worldwide. The use of digital platforms to build and promote an employer brand is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the majority of job seekers use the internet to search for and apply for jobs.

In India, the growth of digital employer branding has been particularly impressive, with businesses of all sizes investing heavily in their online presence to attract and retain top talent. The emergence of cutting-edge technologies, such as ChatGPT, metaverse, AR/VR games, video games, and mobile apps, as well as conversational marketing tools like Infobip, have enabled companies to create more engaging and interactive employer branding campaigns. These innovative tools not only help businesses showcase their culture and values but also provide a unique and immersive experience for job seekers, ultimately leading to a more successful recruitment process.

What is Digital Employer Branding?

Digital employer branding involves using online channels to promote a company’s brand image as an employer. It includes the creation and promotion of content that highlights the company’s culture, values, and work environment, as well as its employee benefits, career development opportunities, and other perks. By using digital platforms like social media, company websites, job portals, businesses can build a strong employer brand that attracts top talent and creates a positive reputation in the job market.

According to the Recruitment Outlook 2022 report by People Matters and data from Indeed, companies intend to allocate their budget across various platforms to convey their brand messaging. The report reveals that the majority of employers (80.1%) plan to prioritize marketing efforts on social media. Additionally, almost 3 in 5 (58%) stated that they will be investing more in job boards, career sites, and job aggregators such as Indeed.

Career Prospects in Digital Employer Branding

The demand for professionals with expertise in digital employer branding is on the rise in India, as businesses increasingly recognize the importance of building a strong employer brand.

Employer branding has taken precedence over how candidates prioritize their dream companies. Candidates now prefer Glassdoor reviews and social media sites over Amazon reviews to get the company’s gist. In fact, 86% of job seekers would not prefer to work for a company with bad reviews, irrespective of the paycheck.

Employer branding has emerged as a crucial factor in attracting and retaining top talent. LinkedIn reports that companies with strong employer brands can reduce their attrition rate by 28%. Furthermore, candidates who apply for a job with a company that has a positive employer brand are typically 50% more qualified. Moreover, talent acquisition for companies with a good employer brand can be 1-2 times faster, making it easier to recruit the best candidates. Also, 59% of employers see employer branding as a key component of their HR department strategy, while 55% of employers view it as an important investment area. In fact, 75% of job seekers consider the employer brand before even applying for a job, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong employer brand.

As a result, there is a growing need for professionals who can help businesses build and promote their employer brand online.

Some of the key roles in digital employer branding include:

Employer Branding Manager

An employer branding manager is responsible for developing and executing a company’s employer branding strategy. They work closely with HR teams and other stakeholders to identify the company’s unique value proposition as an employer and create compelling content to showcase this to potential candidates. They may also be responsible for managing social media accounts, creating job advertisements, and coordinating recruitment events.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an employer branding manager in India is around ₹16 lakhs per year.

Social Media Manager

A social media manager plays a critical role in promoting a company’s employer brand on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. They create and curate content that showcases the company’s culture, values, and work environment, and engage with potential candidates to build a strong online presence for the company.

Based on the latest salary data from Ambition Box, the average annual salary for a Social Media Manager in India ranges from ₹1.2 Lakhs to ₹10 Lakhs for those with less than 1 year of experience to 8 years, with a median salary of ₹4 Lakhs across 3.9k reported salaries.

Content Creator

A content creator is responsible for developing content that promotes a company’s employer brand across various online channels. They may write blog posts, create videos, design graphics, and develop other types of content that showcase the company’s culture, values, and work environment. They work closely with the employer branding manager to ensure that all content is aligned with the company’s employer branding strategy.

Based on data from 479 reported salaries, Ambition Box indicates that the average annual salary for a Content Creator in India ranges from ₹1.0 Lakhs to ₹8.5 Lakhs, with a median salary of ₹3.6 Lakhs.

Employer branding technology leader

The role of an employer branding technology leader has become increasingly important in today’s market, with the advent of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and ChatGPT4. By leveraging these innovative tools, businesses can enhance their employer brand story and effectively attract and engage top talent. The EBTech leader can play a pivotal role in making the most effective use of these technologies, enabling businesses create an AI-driven careersite that retargets the right talent and fixes interviews automatically, or generate high-performing ad copy using Generative AI tools like Persado.

Additionally, a conversational messaging bot such as Infobip can manage candidate experience from onboarding and beyond, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. By making this a key performance indicator (KPI) for this high-tech, high-performing role, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and stand out in the competitive recruitment landscape.

Conclusion

The growth of digital employer branding in India has created a demand for professionals with expertise in this area. As businesses increasingly recognize the importance of building a strong employer brand, there is a growing need for employer branding managers, social media managers, and content creators who can help them achieve this goal. If you are interested in pursuing a career in digital employer branding, there are ample opportunities in the Indian job market, with competitive salaries and the potential for career growth.

Views expressed by Amandeep Kaur, Founder & CEO, Phoenix TalentX Branding

GrowthSchool launches ‘Project Rise Again’

Corporate Updates

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 20, 2023

‘Project Rise Again,’ a $500,000 scholarship fund, has been established by GrowthSchool, a rapidly expanding ed-tech platform, to assist people who have recently lost their jobs in developing new skills and getting back on their feet. To assist impacted individuals in overcoming their difficulties, GrowthSchool will offer 100% scholarships on its top-rated upskilling programmes.

The scholarship is open to anyone who has recently been laid off, and the selection criteria include factors like CTC in the previous employer, the number of dependents and household income, and the amount of time since the layoff.

Working professionals are facing difficult times, according to Vaibhav Sisinty, CEO and Founder of GrowthSchool, who shared his idea for this effort. Even after making every effort, being laid off can be difficult. In my professional life, I have encountered this circumstance twice, so I am completely aware of the mental and financial strain such events can bring. We seek to empower the laid-off workforce by providing access to our rigorous courses, expert-led counselling, and job assistance, all with the kind assistance of our acclaimed mentors from leading brands. Our mission is to act as a lifeline for those affected by mass layoffs, assisting them in getting back on their feet in the workforce and relaunching their careers. Together, we can rise again and build a brighter future.”

The trend of mass layoffs, which has seen more than 3.15 lakh people lose their jobs globally in the last year alone as major tech companies and digital-first startups reduce their workforce, has severely affected many people’s financial stability, stress levels, and quality of life. As a ray of hope, Project Rise Again offers those affected the chance to learn new skills, improve their employability, and restart their careers. It’s an important step towards reducing the negative consequences of mass layoffs and ensuring a better future for individuals who are dealing with this difficulty.

Project Rise Again is a great endeavour by GrowthSchool, according to Arjun Vaidya, Co-Founder, V3 Ventures, one of the mentors involved with the project. Upskilling and reskilling are critical tactics for tech professionals to find jobs in the present environment of massive layoffs. GrowthSchool’s pledge reveals their unwavering commitment to supporting people during difficult circumstances. My goal as a mentor is to provide students with the most up-to-date knowledge applicable to their business, so I’m happy to be involved with this endeavour. I am certain that Project Rise Again will significantly improve the lives and careers of individuals impacted by mass layoffs, and I wish the best for everyone who is a part of it.

Over 150 professional mentors with extensive experience and a proven track record in a range of jobs will lead the courses under “Project Rise Again.”

Inclusive Education: An approach towards access, equal and quality education: A. Srikanth Reddy, Slate High School

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 20, 2023

It is the need of the hour to provide inclusive education in our country as few countries like China are using AI enabled concentration level indicator head bands to monitor concentration levels of the students, make each and every student concentrate better and excel in academics.

To make inclusive education get implemented in a better way we would need Government to come up with initiation providing access to education and quality education to each and every child of the country. To make it happen a structural approach is to be designed where every school of the country irrespective of the management i.e if it is a Govt. aided or private and irrespective of location i.e if it is situated in a rural, urban or semi urban educational institutes should provide same quality/ standard education.

To provide quality / standard education in the country, teacher training is to be restructured and is also to be made with 4 plus years which along with what we have in B.Ed , D.Ed, professional training modules like Leadership Practices, Vision, Mission, Goal Statement, delegation are to be included. Refreshment courses are to be given to teachers at regular intervals treating all the teachers under which ever the management they work equally. As teachers are the nation builders, how better we transform the teachers, that better quality of education in the country would be.

To have equal access of education by every child of the country, Government should also bring reforms in the budget allotment to education and ensure that every child is given with free education or given with fee reimbursement such that child can study in any institution, whichever he likes. If Government can think of giving quality education spending maximum, in brining reforms in education, infrastructure for a minimum of 15 years. After 15 years all the people will become independent and may not require any support from the Government there after.

So by bringing reforms and giving priority to education, we can make every child access education. To provide equal education to even physically impaired curriculum is to be restructured and teachers are to be trained in every perspective. Quality improves only when standards of teachers get enhanced. So teachers are to be provided with opportunities to get trained in regular intervals.

Views expressed by A. Srikanth Reddy, Chairman, Slate High School, Jannaram, Telangana.

IIT Patna in collaboration with TeamLease edtech launches online master’s degree programmes

Higher Education

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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April 19, 2023

In collaboration with TeamLease EdTech, the Indian Institute of Technology Patna (IIT-P) introduced online master’s degree and certification programmes for working professionals. Professionals in the chosen fields will receive the necessary skills and information from the programmes, which will also assist them in upskilling and advancing their careers.

The MTech in Big Data & Blockchain, MTech in Cloud Computing, Executive MBA in Finance, PG Certification in Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking, PG Certification in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, PG Certification in Financial Planning & Investment Management, and PG Certification in Business Data Analytics were among the online programmes the institute announced would begin in the first phase.

For PG Degree Programmes, a minimum of two years of work experience is required, and for Certification Programmes, a minimum of one year is required. The programmes have been launched for working professionals. You can find more information about the programmes at iitpatna.digivarsity.com.

According to TeamLease, the courses have been created using a hybrid pedagogy, whereby some of the programmes will be taught using an online learning platform, the students will communicate with the faculty of the institute through weekly virtual meetings, and some portions of the programmes will be covered during semester-long campus immersion sessions.

A number of other short-term certification programmes in technical and non-technical fields, geared towards working professionals and recent graduates, will soon be introduced by the institute.

Improving gross enrollment ratios not enough to enhance quality of education: Dr. Amrita Vohra, Elpro International School

Interviews

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 19, 2023

India is known for its multicultural and diverse culture. Exposure of the youth to different facets and cultures of India would help the country prosper and flourish. Nowadays, education or learning is not confined but is spread wide open to encompass the entire world, shared Dr. Amrita Vohra, Director Principal, Elpro International School, Pune with Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts:

Union Budget 2023 focused on revamping teacher training. How do you support the move and what are your plans for implementing training at your school?

The times are changing and so are the educational needs of learners. The teachers are the ones who execute the policies and plans at the grass root level. So, if we strengthen the competencies and capacities of our teachers, then we would mould our students into capable future nation builders with all the necessary skills. Hence, I completely support the idea of strengthening and incorporating teacher training programs at all levels in the school.

We have conducted training at regular intervals for the teachers to basically refresh and revamp their skills & knowledge and update them with the latest changes and requirements in skills and teaching methodologies. In the future, we plan to keep relevant training at regular intervals to ensure the teachers are apprised of all the updates in the field of education. For conducting training, we have a ‘Chief Head of Academic Excellence’ who continually conducts observations of teachers, and ensures the right techniques are adopted and followed, and also conducts training to keep the teachers updated with all the necessary tools. We ensure that the teachers attend all the training conducted by CBSE. Constructive engagement of teachers in the training program would be in the plan of action for the new session for the professional development of the teachers and to ensure that learning is progressive and aligned with the changing needs.

Recently, the Education Minister launched the Yuva Sangam portal which will concentrate on organising youth exposure tours for students from North Eastern States to other states and vice versa. How do you think such initiatives are going to develop multicultural education in Indian students?

India is known for its multicultural and diverse culture. Exposure of the youth to different facets and cultures of India would help the country prosper and flourish. Nowadays, education or learning is not confined but is spread wide open to encompass the entire world. If there is strong backing from the government through such progressive programs then it would pave the right path for the youth to imbibe the necessary 21st-century skills. Yuva Sangam is one such avenue that would widen the horizon of our youth, sensitise them towards different cultures and expand their learnings and experiences. When children travel to different countries, they experience the first-hand culture of that country. Interaction with the people enhances their knowledge bank, and they inculcate the necessary skills for building a stronger personality, thinking, and decision-making. A stronger and empowered youth ultimately leads to a stronger and more empowered nation.

NCERT issues guidelines for ‘Early identification and intervention for mental health problems in school-going children and adolescents. How are you planning to work on the same at your school?

Early identification and intervention help in giving the right support at the right time so that these individuals can live their lives independently and in a better way. We plan to strengthen and train our teachers with the necessary knowledge to identify such students. Individualised study plans help such children a lot. Balance in mainstream and individual classes will be taken care of. Extension of timelines in regular schoolwork will also be considered. We will try our best to maintain home–school connect on a regular basis. The assignments and papers are structured, keeping in mind the individual needs of these special children.

Above all, we would ensure the child is always motivated and the classroom environment helps the special children grow to the best of their potential. A positive classroom environment and proper guidance from the school counselor are imperative and would be taken care of.

According to the economic survey 2022- 23, enrollment at the pre-primary level decreased from 1.1 crores [11 million] in 2021 to 1.0 crores [10 million] in 2022. Your comments on the same.

If we consider a school, it is majorly the leadership, staff, and environment that are deciding factors in terms of enrollment. Effectiveness in all is necessary to maintain the optimum level of entrees.

One major reason for the drop could be the pandemic. Parents preferred home tutoring due to several reasons. But children who complete their early learning years, are seen to have stronger foundational skills. We need to make sure we are welcoming our kids back to safe and nurturing environments and building relationships with them.

Schools at all levels showed an improvement in their gross enrollment ratios (GER) for the fiscal year 2021– 22. Do you think the mere improvement in GER will enhance the quality of education?

Enrollment of students in schools indicates that the population is somewhere realising the importance of education in one’s life. But if we just consider the numbers and do not pay heed to the quality of education then we are somewhere ignoring the purpose of education altogether. Quality of education is important considering the hike in enrollment numbers due to increased awareness. Improvement in GER does not ensure quality at all.

The NEP has come into place to restructure the curriculum, pedagogy and reform assessments. While it sounds impressive on paper, the execution on the ground will need drastic measures. While the policy is timely and its objective is noble, it calls for transformational leadership to execute plans to bring about the far-reaching changes visualized to galvanize the Indian education system to attain global standards.

Although increasing GER is the first step toward improving the quality of education because if children step into schools therein begins the roles and responsibilities of the school to give quality education.

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