Education at $35… Dreaming big?
The comparisons between Apple iPad and this $35 ‘still unnamed’ mobile device are so unfair. The online buzz about this new product is almost deafening. Ever since the Indian government announced the launch of the ‘$35 m -device’ (lets call it that, since it does not have a name yet, and this anyway seems to be the most exciting ‘fact’ about it), discussions abound on its viability, price, wasted funds, its not-so-successful predecessors, apps that it can offer and its future. While debate on all of these is justified, some more thoughts:
Why is cost such a big issue?
- Even before establishing the viability of $35 tag, talks about taking it to $20 and $10 are underway. So will that cheaper version be sans the solar recharging facility?
- Isn’t inclusive education reason enough to pray that this product survives launch phase and moves on to the next level… Even if it means a few bucks more?
- Considering the Indian government that has millions of rupees allocated to ICT in education, to repeat my earlier question, why is cost really an issue? Funds exist, where they go is another matter altogether.
- If we believe $35 is cheap and that the poor students will buy it, then the euphoria is misplaced, because they will not.
What is the purpose of this m-device?
Inclusive education… said the Indian HRD minister Kapil Sibal… his pet project is aimed at making sure that all Indian children gain access to education. So will this m-device -
- Fill in for the non-existent teachers?
- Replace the non-competent teachers?
- Add to the information available in books?
- Reach where books are not available?
- Not need any repairs, ever?
Logistical challenges mostly, but unfortunately very real. What is this little m-device aiming at? And do we have back up plan ready to make sure that it does achieve, what it has set out to do. This is of course assuming that by 2012 mass production will be well underway, and all those looking to benefit from it are queuing up to own it.
This brings me to some other concerns…
- The first thing that the government did was launch it. Was it a product launch, or an idea launch?
- How many education experts were consulted about how would it be used, where and by whom?
- How many manufacturers were consulted about commercial viability?
- Why did not he government first identify or at least shortlist partners in this noble cause who are willing to manufacture it?
Information on at least some of these questions would have assuaged a number of skeptics. Optimism pays but being real pays even more…
Going back to why comparison is unfair, one was an Apple product, the other is a government initiative, do I really need to say more?
Last 5 posts by Deepali
- Contract outsourcing – outsource to manage better - August 10th, 2011
- LPOs need to think like partners - November 22nd, 2010
- How long before PPP bridges the education demand supply gap? - May 24th, 2010
- Indian education: Giant leap to globalization - March 31st, 2010
- 'Deemed' – Not fit - January 20th, 2010
