Yes, I do share that opinion. Although it has the potential to be helpful, digital transformation cannot solve the structural issues with India’s educational system. Here are a few explanations for this:

Problems with Infrastructure and Access: For digital learning platforms to operate properly, a lot of India still lacks the most basic infrastructure, such as internet access and energy. All pupils cannot be equally reached by digital solutions if these fundamental problems are not addressed.

Content Quality: Digitizing already-existing content is insufficient. To satisfy curriculum standards and educational objectives, it is necessary to guarantee the quality and applicability of educational content. A lot of digital platforms might not provide interactive, interesting material or might not be suited to local circumstances.

Teacher preparation and capacity building: are important since teachers are the backbone of the educational system. Digital resources can help with instruction, but in order to successfully incorporate technology into the classroom, teachers must receive the necessary training. The potential advantages of digital tools might not be realized without the right training.

Inequality and Accessibility: India has a notable digital divide spanning across various socio-economic classes as well as between urban and rural locations. Many students still face obstacles due to the cost of gadgets and internet connectivity, which exacerbates already-existing educational disparities.

Evaluation and Assessment: Digital content delivery alone is not enough to ensure effective learning. To make sure that students are successfully gaining knowledge and skills through digital platforms, assessment techniques must change. In digital endeavors, feedback systems and ongoing assessment are important yet frequently disregarded.

Policy and Implementation Challenges: Adequate finance, strong policy frameworks, and stakeholder cooperation are necessary for the nationwide implementation of digital solutions. In addition to technology, educational and socioeconomic variables must be taken into consideration while making policy decisions.

Due to low literacy and a lack of internet penetration, there is also inequity in access to digital resources. In addition, just 2,22,155 of the 1.4 million schools in the nation have working smart classrooms with interactive whiteboards or digital displays. In addition, in other areas like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura, etc., between 80 and 85 percent of schools do not have internet connectivity.
For India’s education system to overcome these issues, more needs to be done than just digitization. These consist of:

Finances: Education received the “highest ever” allocation in the Union Budget 2023–24, but its share of the GDP of 2.9% is stagnant—much below than the 6% that is suggested.

Focus on learning: Independent bodies and civil society organisations, as well as Ministries, must regularly review learning outcomes.

Addressing gender bias: Classroom and school spaces must be intentionally designed to encourage dialogue and discussion, as well as to address gender prejudices and stereotype reinforcement.
In addition, female students must have simple and safe access to counselling and support in schools.
Equal access to digital education: The digital poor are the same as the material poor. Thus, the answer is based on ensuring economic security through guaranteed basic income.

A comprehensive strategy that incorporates both digital solutions and more extensive educational reforms is needed to address these issues. This include making infrastructural investments, making sure that high-quality content is developed, offering thorough teacher training, closing accessibility gaps, improving assessment procedures, and putting in place efficient policy frameworks. Together with digital change, these fundamental problems can help India improve its school education system more thoroughly and sustainably.