In FY21, the government utilised Rs 14.7 crore to promote e-learning during COVID-19. Due to the nationwide lockdown, schools started to shift online. DIKSHA, Swayam Prabha and Shiksha Vani programmes in focus.

Education ministry planning to widen education channels from class 1 to 12, PM e-vidya electronic education, which is supported by education ministry is expected to grow. Government could increase the spend by 30 per cent in FY22.

Swayam Prabha is a group of 32 DTH channels dedicated to telecast educational programmes on 24/7 basis using the GSAT-15 satellite. This will include 12 channels, one for each class.

“There is an additional thrust on the PM e-Vidya programme. It is the need of the hour. A special emphasis will be on initiatives like DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) and Swayam Prabha,” said an official.

“Even if a student does not have access to laptops or computers, he/she would be able to watch educational channels for their respective class on television. This ensures academic continuity,” another official added.

DIKSHA platform initiates the students and parents learning material. QR codes, textbooks will be available on the DIKSHA application, where students can scan it and get access.