VISHAl KATOCH speaks to Hardik Shah about how syllabus-based digital education will help students with basic knowledge
What is the USP of E-Class education systemIJ
We have developed syllabus-based digital educational content, which is available in regional languages like Hindi, Urdu, and Marathi and Hinglish along with English. Our K-10 content can be used by all the 20 million school students in Maharashtra Board and all the 1.25 lakh schools. We want to make learning fun while being accessible to all. Our aim is to reach rural as well as cities and make education enjoyable for all.
Who are the beneficiariesIJ
Schools which are a part of our digital classroom programme, students to study at home, for self study. Self-learning has gain a lot of importance, and we are seeing a lot of attraction in individual users purchasing it for their home use. It’s for everyone and anyone who wants access to education through technology.
What made you choose MaharashtraIJ
Our parent company Sundaram Multi Pap has been the market leader in Maharashtra for the last 33 years. We have a strong base here, and considering the growth of this state we had decided to start here. We will gradually move to other States too.
By what time can we accept this E-Class in other StatesIJ
Our plan post Maharashtra is to make generalised content which can be used Pan India which includes competitive exams, spoken English and CBSE syllabus. We are working towards it slowly and steadily.
There are several portals available for learners, why E-ClassIJ
We are the only company which provides complete sync for offline-online world. All our products can be used offline as well as online. There is a USB which can be plugged onto the television set, a memory card for tablets and mobiles and lastly there’s also an app. Internet is still a hassle for many cities in Maharashtra, and therefore offline quality content is the need of the hour. We don’t want any kind of challenge stopping us from making education reachable for all. Also, unlike other portals and content, we have rich HD content which is as per the syllabus and covers all the chapters and details.
How can this system ease stress among studentsIJ
Our main goal is to make learning a fun activity and reduce stress among students. By studying from digital content, these students can understand each chapter better. Children are always fascinated with digital videos such as movies for example. They all remember each movie scene in detail, because while watching a movie all their senses are active. Keeping this in mind, we have converted the black and white textbook to life by having live animations and pictures to explain the chapter, making it easy for them to remember. Hopefully this will making learning lively rather than stressful.
In some parts students don’t even attend classes how can we accept them to learn from TVs and E box’sIJ
The whole point is that they don’t even go to schools and classes and there should be still some way to provide them education. Our product works on a simple TV from the late 90s to a high-fi led smart TV. We believe with the increase in competition and digital awareness all the students want to get their basic education in a simple way. According to me, education isn’t about just going to school or tuitions and rot learning; it’s about gaining knowledge and retaining it for a lifetime so why not think out of the box to make education available to all.
Did you face any barriers in case of E-Class educationIJ
If there are no barriers, you are doing something wrong. We had started this in the year 2010 and digital education at that time was very rare. No one had the idea of this concept, and the fact education can be digital. Marketing and getting the idea out there was a huge barrier. With increased awareness and prices for android phones and technology going down, a lot has changed and the market has opened. Yes we did face initial hiccups in marketing, however, now there’s no looking back.