READING BETWEEN THE LINES

The budgetary cut belies the government’s ambition to overhaul India’s education system and digital infrastructure

- KAUSHIK DEKA

IN THE PAST YEAR, AS INDIA, ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD, grappled with a global pandemic, the education sector underwent unprecedented transformations—schools and colleges remained shut and there was a sudden, unplanned switch to virtual modes of imparting education. Despite poor digital and other physical infrastructure, particularly in remote areas and among the lower strata of society, India embraced online education to avoid a complete breakdown of institutional learning.

Under these circumstances, it’s not surprising that the 2021-22 budget presented by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman included a special emphasis on improving India’s digital architecture. A National Digital Educational Architecture will be set up to support not only teaching and learning but also educational planning, governance and administrative activities.