Reviving Government Schools in Rural India: Partnering with Edtech can Pave the Way Forward

Abstract

The study aims to assess learning ecosystem in government schools in rural India and to develop management strategies for the revival of these schools. The article concerns the commercialization of education in India, with the number of private schools increasing, while declining number of government schools struggle to provide quality education. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, with a significant decline in basic reading and arithmetic skills of rural children. The study was conducted in five aspirational districts in eastern India, with a sample size of 450 students. The study focused on three groups: experimental group 1, which had access to traditional classroom teaching, digital content, Android-based fun learning games, and a mentor at a district learning centre; experimental group 2, which had access to traditional classroom teaching, digital content, and fun learning games; and a control group, which had access to traditional classroom teaching only. The results showed that experimental group 1, which had access to premium digital content, fun learning games, and a mentor, had the highest learning outcomes. Linear regression analysis showed that the independent variables, Content App usage (%), Games Completion Rate, and Percentage of attendance at the district learning centre, were positively related to the Overall percentage score. The study highlights the importance of improving the learning ecosystem of government schools in rural India, providing access to digital devices and internet connectivity, and including cost-effective edtech solutions vis-à-vis services. The study suggests that a combination of traditional classroom teaching, digital content, and fun learning games, along with a mentorship program, can lead to significant improvements in the quality of education in government schools. The study recommends that policymakers and stakeholders should work towards bringing about systematic changes in the education system in rural India.