As we all know, while proper access to Information and Communication Technology is becoming a prime determinant of growth and development of equitable communities, uneven access can create enormous digital divide as it is happening in many developing countries. In this context, the action research work carried out by the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore led consortium in the last five years is helping to understand the key problems and find possible solutions. Today the tele-education project of the consortium, supported by the Government of Karnataka, is reaching nearly 200,000 school children in 1000 schools in rural backward regions in India.
Satellite & Advanced Multimedia Interactive Education (SAMIE) of the project has been able to address the problem of poor quality education in rural Government and aided schools. The technology and delivery mechanism provide live and multi-way interactive education enriched with multimedia content delivered in real time through a studio by well experienced and subject matter experts.
This project had to overcome many challenges with respect to technology, infrastructure and availability of skilled personnel. Innovate methods had to be developed in order to create interactive classes in remote schools with no reliable broadband facility, selection and deployment of solar units and power saving devices, online monitoring system to track real time class run status, automatic message generation from schools to ensure data integrity, real time rating by school teachers to get feedback on each session are some of the innovations done to overcome technology, infrastructure and manpower constraints.
This model of tele-education has been developed through Partnership between Government, Academia and private sector. Government’s openness to conduct this large scale action research with financial support; meticulous planning, designing, periodic evaluation and feedback for midcourse correction by the academia; and technological strength, efficiency and risk taking ability of the private sector have resulted in a successful project that is ready to be replicated.
Therefore, the policy suggestions emerging from this project experience are:
1. providing basic infrastructure such as quality power and connectivity on an urgent basis to reduce the ICT services cost;
2. supporting capacity building in rural areas through proper training; and
3. facilitating partnership between Government, Academia and Private sector and action research to develop appropriate models of ICT services.
Cost Estimation:
Initial cost: Rs 285000 per school for equipment and Recurring cost: Rs 11500 per month per
school
Total number of schools (government and government aided schools) to be covered 26000
Initial investment needed for infrastructure: Rs 740 crores
Annual expenses: Rs 358 crores.
Tele-education to be launched in government schools soon - The Hindu
Results in govt schools won't be SAME again - Deccan Herald