Affordability, accessibility could be key growth drivers for startups

The big call for edtech solutions throughout the pandemic has created an possibility for higher learning, but access to the internet remains a task, as does the value of connectivity and computing devices.

Addressing those demanding situations is key to scaling up edtech and making them available to all. It additionally calls for states to look at better regulations to make sure holistic learning, said participants at a Mint Pivot or Perish webinar on Thursday.

“Google platform has been adopted not only in India but worldwide. With 140 million users and most of them coming online in the last couple of months, our role would be to provide those scalable platforms and ensure that there is access. Getting internet access with affordable pricing with devices for both teachers and students is the key,” said Bani Paintal Dhawan, head of education, India and South Asia, Google.

Earlier this month, Maharashtra have become the primary Indian state to collaborate with Google India in a statewide deployment of its Google for Education technology.

As a part of the partnership, Google will roll out G-Suite for Education and Google Classroom technology free of value, equipping over 23 million instructors and college students. The platform can even provide teacher training and free assets around distance learning contracts for educators.

According to investors, India is the most attractive private schooling market in the world. It has the world’s biggest K-12 (Kindergarten to twelfth grade) system with 270 million children, 10 million teachers and 1.five million faculties. And unlike most markets in the developed world, the Indian K-12 schooling is significantly privatized, with parents opting for paid private faculties over free government faculties.

“In government schools, the biggest question is device penetration itself which has come as a big challenge. While most certainly the kids and parents do not have a device, in case they do, it may not be a smartphone. So one way is to introduce edtech inside schools. So many organizations are taking innovative approaches and using philanthropic capital to put a device in the hands of students,” said Sarvesh Kanodia, principal, investments, Omidyar Network India.

Though maximum personal faculties have replied to the covid disaster via way of means of combining self-initiative with freeware to supply schooling at home, 95% of personal faculties are unmarried faculty establishments.

Indian K-12 is behind the curve at the adoption of technology. Less than five% of college students attend establishments with the desired tech infra to deliver remote learning. However, the coronavirus outbreak and the ensuing lockdown has forced schools to prioritize the adoption of online and virtual technologies.