Bridging the rural education gap with low-cost tech tools

“Education is the great equalizer”, a quote by Horace Mann more than 150 years ago, has come to light today more than ever. While he made the statement in context of the societal conditions at the time, the idea that equal opportunities to quality education is essential for the ongoing advancement of humankind and society stands true and undisputed. However, rural education in India, and the world at all, is still far from becoming something you’d call an “equalizer.”

Despite being home to nearly 65% of the country’s population, rural regions continue to grapple with deep-rooted challenges—over one million teacher vacancies, student-teacher ratios often exceeding 47:1, and many schools functioning with just a single teacher. A major concern is the lack of adequate infrastructure. Safe drinking water, functional toilets, reliable supply of electricity and classroom space is a far-fetched dream in a number of schools - which further exacerbates the already high drop-out rates. Absenteeism of older students owing to high transportation costs and economic pressures, along with underqualified teachers, makes for a critical concern. Moreover, according to the ASER 2024 report, only half of Class 5 students in rural India can read a Class 2-level text, and basic math skills are similarly weak. 

This leads me to wonder - what steps can the government take to save the futures of these bright minds, and to grant them their legal right to unimpeded and free education? The digital realm opens up a new door of opportunity. Rural India is poised to become the growth engine of the country’s digital revolution—with 56% of all new internet users expected to emerge from rural areas by 2025. 

Over the years, India has increasingly recognised the importance of research and innovation. This year’s Budget continued this trend with extensive focus on innovation. Fifty thousand Atal Tinkering Labs will be set up in government schools in the next five years to foster curiosity and scientific temper amongst young minds. These labs aim to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, creating a transformative, inclusive, and sustainable innovation ecosystem for students across India. Further, under the PM Research Fellowship, 10,000 fellowships for technological research will be provided across the Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Science.

Next, the Spreading Happiness InDiya Foundation, through its flagship SMITA program, has impacted 60,000+ students by establishing digital classrooms in the remotest of locations, powered by renewable energy, enabling schools to reduce operational costs while enhancing learning through virtual classrooms. Ed-tech platforms like Byjus, Khan Academy, etc. are leveraging technology to allow rural students to access high-quality and free lessons any time, anywhere - which is further supplemented by the increasing smartphone penetration across India. 

The lack of content in local languages is another significant factor contributing to the digital divide. The Budget 2025 introduces the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme, an initiative aimed at providing digital books in vernacular languages for school and higher education. 

Individuals without access to digital technology, however, tend to be left behind in such schemes. Therefore, the government is facilitating the delivery of assisted digital services in rural areas through post offices. The post offices would also facilitate digital financial inclusion through direct benefit transfer and credit services, on the similar lines as Africa’s Shupavu291 that provides students with access to topical lessons and quizzes aligned with the national curriculum through SMS, allowing them to learn without needing internet access. 

Ultimately, while we have a long way to go, the efforts of the government, companies and NGOs in India seem promising. The future of rural education is bright—powered by technology, driven by innovation, and anchored in the belief that every child deserves access to quality learning, regardless of where they live.