Govt panel suggests use of satellite TV to bridge digital divide in education

To bridge the learning gap of students caused due to closure of schools in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, a parliamentary panel has recommended the use of satellite television. 

The members of the panel underlined that many poor students are not able to attend online classes due to lack of internet connection. They suggested that several families in the country have TV sets and using this medium will help take classes to more students. The committee also decided to call officials from ISRO and the Education Department to discuss the use of satellite TV for school education. 

Model adopted in Gujarat, Odisha 

They recommended the use of satellite television such as Doordarshan DTH as it has more penetration than smartphones and does not require internet facility. 
The members of the panel said this model has already been adopted by Gujarat and Odisha and other states should also do the same. 

It was decided that officials from the Education Ministry, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and several states will be summoned at the next meeting of the panel to discuss the use of satellite television in terms of bridging the learning gap for students.  

The panel also took cognisance of the issues of convening about five state education secretaries for a detailed presentation about satellite TV classroom and presenting the states of Odisha and Gujarat as role models.  

Last year, when the lockdown was imposed and classes shifted online, a little more than 33% of the students in Odisha could attend the virtual classes because access to internet and smartphones emerged as the biggest hindrance.
Read more: 

• Online classes are good, but they have their own challenges, say IITians 

• Students attend live YouTube classes in Odisha