ICT Intervention Challenges in Education in Rural India

Abstract

People in rural India encounter greater paucity of facilities and services compared to their urban counterparts in scaling the opportunities created by technological advancement. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have the potential to provide much-needed succor by bridging the challenges of remoteness with satellite, web and mobile based applications. Education, being a critical requirement for social and economic well-being, and primarily a media-based service, lends itself well for technological interventions which aid in addressing the urban-rural divide. The case study that we have done shows that there are challenges in the eco-system that impact the smooth implementation of digital technologies in rural areas. Inadequacy in infrastructure both in terms of quality and quantity, inefficiencies and other systemic issues impact the ICT solution roll-outs causing delays and unmanageable cost escalations, thereby making solutions infeasible. The way forward is urgent, serious and needs concurrent efforts on many dimensions, which require strong collaboration of public as well as private partners.