Ms. Shveta Raina, Founder and CEO, Talerang

Ms. Shveta Raina, Founder and CEO, Talerang

Students across the world have been undoubtedly affected by the pandemic. From being cooped up at home to losing years of academic progress, there have been many harsh realities that the pandemic brought our youth – especially our youngest learners. Those that had the resources to learn virtually were in the minority, and even they now complain of too much screen time. The impact on the mental health of students and the strain on parents has all been written about. However, how has this changed the education system? Has the landscape changed in light of the forced changes during the pandemic? While the NSDC and the NEP have been talking about non-academic skills for years, it is post-pandemic that even higher education and academic institutions have been forced to transform. This has happened due to three key changes.

Firstly, students are more aware about their skill gaps and are working to actively bridge them. With companies being picky for talent during the pandemic and the rising uncertainty in the economy, skill-driven occupations started sweeping the job market. Interview processes became stringent and salaries had to be justified. Students and academic institutions realized the importance of practical skills that directly lead to jobs as opposed to just raking up degrees and certificates. As a result, upskilling programmes started gaining center stage in order to bridge the soft and hard skills gaps and meet industry demands. With a large population working virtually, the importance of communication skills also came into strong focus. With earning potential becoming important right from the college years, students are opting for virtual internships where they can earn and learn outside college hours. Parents are encouraging these internships as are the faculty which has been a shift from pre-pandemic times where academics saw more focus than practical exposure.

Secondly, the rapid adoption of technology has helped the education sector become more efficient. Technology’s rapid development promises to benefit a wide range of industries, including higher education. Artificial intelligence (AI) can also provide significant educational benefits, including learning that is tailored to each student’s needs, as well as the ability to modify the speed and control iterations to improve subject knowledge. Students’ assignments may be checked for plagiarism using AI-powered ed-tech platforms, and faculty lectures can be transcribed in real time. Chatbots can answer concerns about financial aid, registration, and campus life. The application of AI on the vast amounts of data that educational institutions create throughout their study and pedagogical activities could also enhance their administrative processes in 2022.

Third, the growth of Ed-tech has given students more choice and changed the game. From live classes to evaluation tools, content platforms and assessment portals, the Edtech space has burgeoned. The quickly changing learning and technology environment has propelled the industry to $2.8bn in 2020. It is set to cross $10.4bn by 2025. Students now have access to the best teachers and programs across the globe. While the impact of these programs and overall learning by the student is often under the scanner, the sheer volume of students enrolling in them shows the possibilities. Their growing valuations have attracted many to either invest or join as employees. 

Academic institutions are getting pushed into a corner with the relentless lockdowns, and are being forced to innovate. Teachers have adapted to the online medium, evaluations have become more scalable and curriculum that hadn’t been looked at in decades has been updated. In 2022, we expect more change, more transformation. From being a sector that few entrepreneurs and investors wanted to touch, the education space is now one of the hottest sectors for for-profit investors and foundations alike. Everyone wants to be part of the education transformation story and not miss the boat as one of the world’s more critical sectors transforms. With so many of the world’s leaders finally focussing on equipping every graduate with the skills of the future, we are bound to see even more innovation in 2022.

Also Read:India’s education sector to witness a significant digital overhaul