Change from Classroom Education to Digital Education is the New Wave in the Education Sector

No.PR-155 July 6, 2020 New Delhi Change from Classroom Education to Digital Education is the New Wave in the Education Sector New Delhi, 6th July 2020- In order to understand the new contours of education system and its way forward, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted an interactive session on ‘Road Map for Education in UP during COVID-19’ with august delegates including Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh, Hon’ble Minister, Department of Secondary and Higher Education, Science and Technology, Electronics and Information Technology, Uttar Pradesh; Smt. Monika S Garg, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Deptt. of Higher Education, Government of U.P; Smt. Aradhana Shukla, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Deptt. of Secondary Education, Government of U.P and Mr. Ashok Ganguly, Ex-Director Edu, Former Chair, CBSE. Dr. D K Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the presidential address deliberated about the effect of the pandemic on the economy and education sector with growing significance of new-learning in today’s time. He appreciated the initiatives and pro-active steps taken under the leadership of Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Dinesh Sharma that has enhanced the speed of adaption to digitalization in the education sector leading to continuity in the field education. The 5 step approach which connects parents, teachers, and students, making use of e- pathshala and using community channels will foster the education sector, said Dr Aggarwal Education is not only about learning, the transmission of information but also, it is creating a value system which will help India to become a superpower for the future, added Dr. D K Aggarwal. He also gave suggestions to amplify the education system for the future which shall include using digital tools and learning platforms, support the education institution in upscaling their infrastructure, and many such innovative ideas. Dr. Dinesh Sharma praised the presence and indispensable support of PHD Chamber in these critical times faced by the Nation. He said that in these changing times, we have to accept the change in the method of imparting education. Giving a brief history of the evolution of education, Dr Sharma, highlighted that the shift from classroom education to digital education is the new wave in the education sector. While we see a lot of challenges, but digital education gives a new opportunity to the industry and other key stakeholders, said Dr Sharma While deliberating about the various developments in the education sector, he talked about the upscaling of e-content and the digitalization that has accelerated the Education sector. While lauding the diligent support and hard works of teachers, educational staff, and institutions in helping the education sector cope up with the changes, Dr Dinesh Sharma, urged PHD Chamber to continue submitting effective representations to the ministries and government. Ms. Aradhana Shukla, talking about secondary education mentioned that we need to design a new education system. She deliberated about the initiatives taken in upscaling and developing the education system at the policy and implementation level. Ms Shukla while mentioning about the many intiatives undertaken by the UP state government, put light on the concept of WhatsApp virtual classes that have been initiated and benefited many students ad the Swayam Prabha Channel and YouTube Channel that has aided to completion of the course of the curriculum. She discussed the challenges faced by secondary education that includes introducing content in Hindi, a chance to drop out of school students, technology backwardness, and replacing teachers with online educators. Mr. Ashok Ganguly while talking about issues and challenges faced by schools post COVID-19 emphasized that this pandemic has impacted every sector of the industry and, there will be a change in the working of schools post this pandemic. It has taught students to be self-discipline and have a self-learning approach. In the future, we can see a hybrid blended learning in school education. Ashok Ganguly said that we are moving from the structured process of learning to the unstructured process of learning. The factors of future learning can be divided into structural changes; shift wise classes; accelerate online classes; classes in open spaces; constant content modification; weekly home assignments; focus on cross-curriculum education; introduce updated courses like Disaster managements, health crisis, Artificial intelligence; change in transactional approach and update teachers. Mr. Ganguly suggested that the students of 10th and 12th standards are to be called first at Schools and then the rest of the classes subsequently. He also suggested the re-opening of the Schools in day wise odd-even shift based classes to prevent further outbreak. He later emphasized on the fact that the time has come when more significance has to be given on Learner-Learner interaction than the traditional Teacher-Learner interaction. He emphasized that we need to engage the students, allow the students to explore, explain them, and extend the knowledge to a real-life situation. The content of online education should be capsulated, short duration, and catchy in learning. There needs a change in mindset and skillset of teachers and assessment policy. He also suggested 4E model (engage, explore expand, Extend) for Education Industry. Lastly he added that a good Education Policy should also be brought in system for all the classes. Ms. Monika S Garg highlighted the need for online education, shared that higher education institutions moved really fast during the lockdown and delivered many e-contents online which has benefited a lot of students but a lot more need to be done for further spread. She flagged the issues and challenges faced for imparting education in the remote areas and urged the education institutions to put the time table on the website, use television as a vehicle for education, prescribing tablets with pre-loaded e-content, using the digital library, wifi-enabled campus, strengthen bandwidth and electric connections. She also suggested making the e-content available in Hindi and other regional languages. She deliberated about Rashtriya Shiksha Abhiyan, Smart Classrooms, and highlighted that department of higher education is developing their e-content portal. There needs to a balance between online and on-campus education. There needs to an optimal mix so that there is segregation on online and offline teaching is possible through planning and strategizing. We need to introduce technical and academic assistance for the students. We need to redraft the exam system, industry-based curriculum, skill development course, and introduce innovation hubs on the campus. We need to focus on practicing meditation and imparting education on ethics said, Monika S Garg. The other esteemed delegates who deliberated in the webinar were Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore; Mr. Sharad Jaipuria, Former President, PHDCCI, Chair, Seth M R Jaipuria School & Jaipuria Institute of Management; Prof. Arvind Mohan, Dean Academics, Head, Department of Economics, University of Lucknow; Dr. Martin West, Associate Professor, Ajman University; Ms. Sunali Rohra, Executive Vice President, Government and Institutional Business, HDFC Bank and Mr. Masoodul Haq, Chair – Birla Open Minds International School. Prof. Himanshu Rai, talking about the education and learning, highlighted that school and colleges need to rethink on their mission on enhancing the need for civic sense in the students and introduce subjects which can help students to take care of health, serve the nation-building and impart value to each other. Prof. Arvind Mohan, while giving a present industry outlook which has proposed challenges and opportunities leading to change in the technology usage and mindset, emphasized the need for online classes and e-content policy. We need to create online classrooms, learning management system, and creating other academic platforms which will accelerate education to new heights. Dr. Martin West, while giving a global perspective, discussed on the online assessment procedure, submission, and exam process. He discussed the other software and tools used that helped in conducting assessments and exams. Ms. Sunali Rohra mentioned the importance of education and the various significant steps taken by HDFC Bank for providing the custom-made product and services that have benefited the school and other educations institutions. She discussed the initiatives to provide digitalization in schools and providing training to teachers and other school staff. She also discussed challenges faced by the education industry at the national and global levels. Mr. Masoodul Haq, while deliberating in the session gave a small brief about himself and the objective of establishing Birla Open Minds. He gave an overview of the education sector in these times of COVID-19 pandemic. He discussed the two important methodologies of education that include synchronous learning and asynchronous learning. Mr. Sharad Jaipuria talked about the robust initiatives and measures taken by Jaipuria Group in fostering the spread of education in these challenging times at the same time looking after the social, emotional, and cultural development of the students of all ages. He appreciates the constant efforts of the UP Government that has led to continuity and smooth flow of education system in the state and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry is in full support and solidarity with the government. Mr. Manoj Gaur, Chair, PHD Chamber of Commerce, UP Chapter in his welcome remarks, talked about the need for fostering the education system in the nation. Undergoing the potential threats of our lifetime, we witnessed a complete nationwide shut down since March 2020. With no immediate solution to the outbreak, the school and university closure had a short term impact on the continuity of learning. With having a lot of young learners, this is a crucial time for the education sector as many prominent and professional exams are held during this period. This is a good time to rethink on the education policy with innovation, partnerships, tie-ups, and other developments, added Mr Gaur Dr. Lalit Khaitan, Mentor, PHD Chamber of Commerce, UP Chapter highlighted that education is the passport to the future and lauded the initiatives taken by UP Government. Education sector is one of the largest employment generators in Uttar Pradesh and despite this pandemic, the flow and streamlining of education didn’t stop. He talked about the need for meditation, teamwork, emotional, and physical intelligence sessions and highlighted the suggestive measures for further streamlining the education sector that included reducing GST, re-opening schools and sending students on 1/3rd basis per day, among others. Mr. Gaurav Prakash, Co-Chair, PHD Chamber of Commerce, UP Chapter gave concluding remarks and delivered a vote of thanks to all the esteemed delegates and participants. The session was also attended by Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary-General along with other senior members of PHD Chamber. The session was moderated by Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Principal Director, PHD Chamber, and witnessed a participation of more than 500 participants pan-India. The session was in support of Birla Open Mind, HDFC Bank, Radico Khaitan Group, Jaipuria Institute of Management. Ends Media Division PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry