The Odisha state government’s adoption of radio as a tool for education has been making headlines recently. This initiative was sparked by the poor network coverage in the state, which made online classes inaccessible for most students. The government hopes that through radio broadcasts, they can reach children in even remote areas.
Education Through Radio: Embracing an Old Medium
The School and Mass Education Department of the state has collaborated with All India Radio to facilitate classroom teaching through the radio. It is intended for students from Class I to VIII, who can receive 15-minute lessons from experienced teachers. It has been assessed that a student could cover up to six pages of their textbook in one such 15-minute session.
While teaching through radio may lack some of the benefits of a traditional classroom, the current circumstances have necessitated the exploration of different methods to continue education.
Other Steps Towards Continued Education
In addition to the radio education program, the Odisha state government has also taken other measures to ensure learning continuity. Despite the closure of schools since 17th March 2020, students have received textbooks. Three-hour classroom instruction sessions are broadcast on Doordarshan. In light of the time lost due to school closures, the school syllabus has been reduced by 30%.
Reasons Behind the Shift to Radio
The inability to open schools due to the Covid-19 pandemic led the education department to attempt online classes, mostly conducted through smartphones. However, out of 60 lakh students, only about 22 lakhs were able to participate during the lockdowns.
The situation deteriorated when lockdowns lifted, and parents returned to work, often taking the family’s only smartphone with them. This resulted in a further drop of 6 to 7 lakh in student attendance for virtual classes. Even families with sufficient smart devices faced difficulties due to poor network coverage.
Other Nationwide Education Initiatives Amid the Pandemic
In response to the crisis, central authorities have announced the commencement of the 2020-21 academic year in a virtual format. Plans are underway to provide laptops or tablets to 40% of all college and university students within five years, and to equip all government schools with Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) mobile app has been offered to states as a platform to provide local language content. The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan has also utilized its SWAYAM Prabha portal, which provides lectures online and via direct-to-home (DTH) services.
Various e-learning techniques such as YouTube, Zoom app, and Google Classroom are being employed by certain institutions. In addition, PRAGYATA guidelines on digital education have been introduced.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, these initiatives demonstrate an unwavering commitment to education and a willingness to adapt in order to overcome obstacles.
