Vice President Calls For Bridging The Digital Divide For Universal Education

Source: Hindustan Times

The long imposed lockdown has affected the education industry worst amongst others. The education system has shifted to a digital platform where classes are conducted online and student-teacher interaction is possible virtually. However, many students who belong to economically weaker sections are unable to access online classes due to a lack of technological resources and the inability to afford the same.

This scenario has created a digital divide in the country among the students which is unacceptable. This has made education a luxury for the financially weaker section. 

With the growing concern on the subject, vice-president Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday called for bridging the digital divide to achieve universal primary education and ensure equitable secondary and higher education for students.

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Releasing a book through video conference, Naidu stressed on the need to make technology accessible and affordable and pointed out that many children did not have access to digital devices. “We will have to address the issue of this wide gap,” he said according to a statement. Bridging the digital divide is huge and complex for the government alone to accomplish, Naidu said urging the private sector, especially educational technology firms, to bring products at affordable prices as per the needs of learners. “This is your time to make a momentous contribution to nation-building and to securing a bright future for all our children,” he said.