A non-governmental organization, Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies, recently organized eINDIA 2008, an event on Information Communication and Technology ICT. As published in one news release by Beta News, D.Purandeswari, Minister of State for Higher Education said: “The government aims to provide $10 laptops, and the research is on.”
Ten-dollar laptops indeed seem to be a lucrative option to revolutionize the education with the aid of ICT. Many private IT companies have suggested the extension and application of different learning solutions facilitated by the advanced technological solutions. On one hand we have digital boards replacing the traditional black boards in modern schools, Internet facilities, online tests, etc and at the same time none of these are available and applicable in the rural areas.
One development story that runs parallel to these newly introduced initiatives is that of community radios.
Decades ago development scientists believed that community participation was necessary to develop the regions that are cut off from the rest of the world. They stressed on the intervention of media agencies and provisions for community radio sets. In many places, the community radio sets proved to be a great success.
Technical and industrial experts contemplate that solutions like e-learning or inexpensive digital learning aids can help a lot to enhance the education standards in the country outback.
However, many private institutions are too much interested as their commercial interests may get great opportunities. A check needs to be maintained against any unnecessary haste that might cost the country a lot of money and have very little outcome.