Commercialisation of Education through Edtechs

When the pandemic-induced lockdown forced the closure of schools and colleges, it led to parents and children onboarding the online platforms on a massive scale. The move was supported and led by the government, and the private sector merrily hopped on to the bandwagon. The transformative potential of technology was unleashed for the digital makeover of the education sector, meanwhile giving birth to edtech start-ups, some of those now nearing the unicorn status.

There is no doubt that the mindful use of software and technologies can ensure digital connectivity to remote areas, overcome shortage of teachers, enable resource sharing across multiple classrooms, and reduce administrative burden. It can also change the paradigm of pedagogy. The use of visual and audio aids can make the content more interactive and perhaps even inclusive. Access to global resources and digital libraries can overcome the limits of government-mandated curricula. A digital marketplace matching learners and educators transcends the traditional limits of geographies, age, language, and even class—in a way, “deschooling” education.