Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Human Resource Development has virtually launched a report on the innovative measures adopted by the states and union territories to bridge learning gaps during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The report titled ‘India Report- Digital Education June 2020’ for ensuring accessible and inclusive education to children at home and reducing learning gaps.
• It has been prepared by the digital education division of MHRD in consultation with education departments of the states and union territories of the country.

Key points of the Report

• The report elaborates on the innovative methods adopted by Ministry of HRD.
• Education Departments of States and Union Territories for ensuring accessible and inclusive education to children at home and reducing learning gaps.
• This report brings a better understanding of the various initiatives taken to facilitate remote learning and education for all by taking schools to the students.

Initiatives by Ministry of HRD  

It has initiated many projects to assist teachers, scholars and students in their pursuit of learning like - 

• DIKSHA platform - It is a platform for school education which offers teachers, students and parents engaging learning material relevant to the prescribed school curriculum.
• Swayam Prabha TV Channel, Online MOOC courses, 
• On Air – Shiksha Vani,   DAISY by NIOS for differently-abled, e-PathShala, 
• National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER) to develop e-content and energized books etc.

Initiatives by State Governments/UTs  

• Some of the major digital initiatives by State Governments are SMILE (Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement) in Rajasthan, Project Home Classes in Jammu, Padhai Tunhar duvaar (Education at your doorstep) in Chhattisgarh, Unnayan Initiatives in Bihar through portal and mobile application, Mission Buniyaad in NCT of Delhi, Kerala’s own educational TV channel (Hi-Tech school programme), E-scholar portal as well as free online courses for teachers in Meghalaya.  
• Telangana has online certificate programs for teachers on ‘Management of mental well-being during COVID’. 
• Assam has launched the Biswa Vidya Assam Mobile Application for class 6 to 10. Bihar has launched Vidyavahini App with e-books for class 1 to 12. 
• Under Unnayan Bihar Initiative, Bihar has also launched Mera Mobile Mera Vidyalaya for students, and Unnayan Bihar Teacher App.  
• Chandigarh has launched Phoenix Mobile application to assess the learning outcome for the students of class 1 to 8. 
• Maharashtra has launched the Learning Outcomes Smart Q Mobile App to facilitate learning for students in the state. 
• Punjab has launched iScuela Learn Mobile Application for class 1 to 10.  
• Sikkim Edutech App connects all the schools of Sikkim under the State Education Department, Parents also have login access along with students, teachers and administrative units.  
• Tripura has an application titled ‘EmpowerU Shiksha Darpan’ in order to facilitate student’s appraisal.  
• Uttar Pradesh launches ‘Top Parent’ app targeting children from 3-8years age. The application currently houses three high-quality EdTech apps for children – Chimple, Maths Masti and Google Bolo. 
• Odisha Shiksha Sanjog, a Whatsapp based digital learning programme has been launched in Odisha that shares e-content with class groups in a streamlined way.
• KHEL (Knowledge Hub for Electronic Learning), a Game Based Application has also been started, that covers class 1 to 3.

Future plans include

• Developing digital classrooms as an instructional modality – Integration of use of technology with the education system.
• Inclusion of virtual vocational training, virtual labs & skill development courses.
• Multi-mode access to education using web portals, mobile apps, TV channels, radio, podcasts, etc. with coherent user experience.
• Developing quality e-content in local languages.
• Developing framework for enhancing learning within and outside the classroom, and for assessments in the era of digital education.
• Framing of Online/Digital Education Guidelines addressing the digital divide.
• Efforts are also underway for developing mechanisms to provide textbooks to all children at home, upskill teachers to leverage e-learning resources, use of mobiles to increase penetration, etc.
• NCERT has also developed an alternate academic calendar.