Three terms which first need a bit of detailing before we proceed. We will consider a country like India to build upon these terms.
Affordable - what is affordability? A large percentage of the population earns less than $ 1 every day. And then there are world's richest men and women staying in the same country. Afforability has different connotations across the entire spectrum of population. The rich can afford anything under the sky. The poor can't afford anything, unless provided for by the Government. The middle class, of which the numbers are swelling constantly, determine the affordability pattern in India.
Education - what is education? The Government of India took a big step forward when the Right to Education Bill was adopted recently. Education has always been a central theme in most of the Indian homes. Nearly 30% of the incomes are spent on an average by Indian households for the purpose of education. People really do spend a lot, compared to other countries. But who is really spending? It is again the middle class and the upper class in the financial strata of the country. The poor again have to be provided free education to bring them into the ambit of inclusive growth. I hail the leadership in the government to creatively pursue this course aggressively. An educated youth in the lower financial strata will determine the path of this country - for they would be in pretty large numbers. The more knowledgeable they are, the more profound would be the development of the country.
Devices - what devices? Mobile phones created the voice communication revolution in India, as in many other developing countries. Staying easily connected provided many new opportunities to the citizens. A cobbler in my neighbourhood could increase his turnover by nearly three times. He is old and cannot move much. So, he employed a youth and provided him with a mobile phone. Everyone in the neighbourhood is so used to home delivery. They call up this young gentleman who in turn would pedal around to pick up the repair items. The old cobbler has been able to provide employment to a young man and also increase his income. There are innumerable stories like this across the country. But does a mobile phone provide a mechanism to enhance knowledege, education and skills? Not beyond very simple terms. For that a set of specific devices are required.
Before stepping into my next writing, I want to hear from my fellow bloggers on what they feel is the right mix of devices for creating an affordable education environment.
