Client Name: Central Square Foundation (CSF)
Location: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat
Background Context: Diksha, a national education technology program of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), supports teachers and students with access to digital resources. One of the products under the Diksha program is the Extended Textbooks (ETB), which includes embedded QR codes to provide links to digital resources.
The Extended Textbooks (ETB) use case has been implemented in 28 states and Union Territories (UTs). The strategy aims to be strengthened in order to transition Diksha into a demand generation phase.
Objectives
CSF is supporting the initiative at the central and state levels and commissioned Development Solutions to conduct a research study addressing key aspects that would strengthen the ETB strategy. The study objectives were:
- Understand current patterns of user consumption, including users' perceptions, the timing of use, and the types of resources found to be useful.
- Assess the adoption and ownership of Diksha, and explore measures for increasing access, promoting continued engagement, and building a community of Diksha champions.
- Facilitate the institutionalization of Diksha in states and identify the best models for its implementation, including documenting best practices and identifying suitable structures for institutionalization.
Approach and Methodology
- Method/ Design: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in three stages:
- Telephone Screener: Schools were selected randomly from the DISE school list for pre-selected districts. Principals were then interviewed by phone to identify schools and teachers using Diksha.
- Quantitative Survey: Based on screener responses, teachers using Diksha, students (Class 4 or above) - in classes taught by teachers using Diksha and parents (of children surveyed in school) were surveyed in person using a structured questionnaire.
- Qualitative Interactions: Semi-structured in-depth interviews and mini-group discussions were conducted with teachers, students, parents, and government officials.
- Key Respondents/ Informants: Teachers, principals, students (class 4 or above), parents, government officials
- Key Areas of Inquiry: Awareness and use of information and communications technology (ICT); awareness and use of Diksha; usage patterns for ICT and Diksha; drivers of use in schools and outside schools; institutional structures that would facilitate Diksha
- Sample: Telephonic screener: 400 schools per state; Quantitative (2426); Qualitative (118)
Impact
Findings from the study were used by the client for engagement with state governments for further improvement in the Diksha program and ETB strategy.
Contact
17/109, Lower Ground Floor, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi – 110024