In recent years, India has witnessed a remarkable surge in internet usage and smartphone adoption. The Digital India initiative has played a pivotal role in driving this growth, resulting in a substantial increase in internet connections, reaching a staggering 830 million in 2021. Moreover, the smartphone user base has witnessed a significant expansion and is projected to reach a remarkable milestone of 1 billion by 2026.
These developments have proven to be a boon for India's digital sector, with experts predicting its value to soar to an impressive US$ 1 trillion by 2030. The exponential increase in internet users and smartphone usage, combined with an increase in online content consumption and the demand for skilled young professionals, has notably propelled the growth of the Edtech industry.
By making use of the growing internet trend, Edtech companies in India have been capitalising on the opportunity by providing a diverse range of courses and training programs that cater to learners from various educational backgrounds and proficiency levels. These platforms are affordable and provide the convenience of learning anytime and anywhere. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst for the widespread adoption of online education in India, as educational institutions, from schools to universities, were compelled to transition to remote learning. This has further intensified the demand for Edtech solutions, creating new avenues for growth and innovation within the industry.
Edtech companies are actively working to close the educational divide by providing widespread access to learning opportunities. The innovative products and services provided by these companies enable meeting the diverse needs of learners, including both students and professionals. Here are several ways in which edtech companies are effectively bridging the learning gap:
Enabling Education for All: Edtech enterprises have established interactive platforms that enable learners to access top-notch education conveniently, regardless of their location or schedule. Collaborating with renowned universities and institutions, these companies provide globally recognized online courses. Students are now able to acquire degrees and certificates from these esteemed educational institutions without the need to attend traditional brick-and-mortar classes.
Providing Accessible Education: Edtech enterprises have revolutionized the affordability of education by presenting courses at a lower cost associated with conventional courses. Furthermore, they have pioneered subscription-based structures that enable learners to avail themselves of a diverse array of courses for a predetermined monthly fee.
Delivering Skill-oriented Education: Educational technology (Edtech) firms are offering skill-oriented education tailored to meet the demands of various industries. They provide comprehensive courses in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data science. This empowers learners to acquire highly sought-after skills that are currently in high demand within the job market.
Crafting Personalized Learning Experiences: Educational technology enterprises employ data analytics to comprehend the unique learning preferences of individual students and curate tailor-made educational journeys. They leverage the power of gamification methods to enhance the allure and interactivity of the learning process. This approach aids learners in retaining information more effectively and enhances their overall educational achievements.
The continuous growth in the number of internet users in India is contributing significantly to the expansion of the Edtech industry since the population gets the chance to access mobile phones with better connectivity. However, there is still a large section of the population, especially in the rural area of the country, where internet penetration is still low. As the growth projection of internet penetration predicts, there will be new users in the recent future, presenting the Edtech sector to extend its reach and bridging the learning gap.
(The given article is written by Sarvesh Agrawal is the Founder and CEO of Internshala)