In today’s world, technology occupies centre stage. It is essential to implement new digitised education tools in rural India. Introduction of such ed-tech tools can solve the problems of mass reach, quality, and relevant education. The fact that such initiatives and programmes are well-received proves that rural schools are ready for new-age teaching methods through digital classrooms. All they need is implementation on a large-scale to ensure quality education.

When Gandhi Fellows Javed Akhter & Kunal Mishra identified this gap in schools as well as the community during their Community Immersion, they planned to start empowering education through technology workshops. They connected with the community and began spreading awareness about the workshops.

In the span of 15 days, with the support of community members, the workshops conducted by Javed and Kunal have made technology a part of the lives of the children in the remote village Seuwa.

Through regular workshops, 40 students are being provided with basic computer training that is making them familiar with computers and software like MS Word and Excel.

The Fellows approached community members and discussed this idea of providing digital education to the children. The community members supported the idea and provided Atal Seva Kendra (Village IT Centre) to conduct the workshops. “In spite of challenges like no proper electricity supply, lack of infrastructure, their own engagement for panchayat level work at the centre, we decided to divide students in groups of three or four and started training them. We nominated a few technology ambassadors based on their interest levels and strong passion towards technology to lead the activities in our absence.” explained the Fellows.

The digital literacy sessions exposed the children to digital devices and their functions, fundamentals of MS Word, Excel, Internet browsing, social media. The aim is to gradually develop these students into future instructors to enrich rural digital education through their own human resources.

Empowering rural India using IT is a daunting task. Gandhi Fellows with the support of a highly motivated community of Seuwa & Bhuwadi are helping to fill the digital gap and empower rural communities by imparting digital literacy in rural schools. One of the major objectives is to build confidence and enable access to information available on the Internet, which promotes overall well-being and competence in students as they face the realities of life. Students are made aware of their role as responsible citizens and see how they can contribute to the development of their village.