Downturn Of EdTech In India: Rebuilding Parental Trust In Foreign Education

Collaborations between well-known foreign institutions can lend credibility to what the EdTech companies are offering.

By Alexander Zheltov

Since pre-covid time, there has been a surge in the EdTech industry, with multiple startups crowding the space of higher education. Between the years 2014 and 2020, the sector witnessed remarkable growth. When the world was under lockdown, both educators and students were transitioning toward tech-enhanced education and e-learning with virtual lessons. In 2021, the Edtech industry was booming, with leading educational platforms leading the way. 

According to market intelligence platform Tracxn, funding in India’s edtech sector took a major hit and plummeted to $712 million from $2.9 billion in 2022. Further, with the reopening of schools and traditional learning systems, the industry once again saw a major shift that changed the face of education. Several factors led to this change, with the primary reason being the loss of trust of Indian parents in Edtech. Bearing this in mind, let us understand how edtech companies can revamp their image in the market and regain the long-lost trust of parents. 

Transparency: Need Of The Hour

It simply means that transparency should be used to rebuild trust. Hundreds of parents have groaned over surprises with unclear course content or hidden costs. Imagine enrolling in what you believe is a clear-cut course, only to be hit with surprise fees. 

EdTech companies should focus on clearly communicating all the expenses, what courses include and involve, job prospects, and any extra charges that may pop up. Other crucial aspects are systematic updates regarding student progress. 

Detailed reports and metrics would be instrumental in showing the value of the education given. 

By providing regular updates regarding their children’s progress, institutions have the opportunity to redeem themselves as trustworthy educational platforms.

Partnerships Help Establish Credibility

Collaborations between well-known foreign institutions can lend credibility to what the EdTech companies are offering. It's like having a seal of approval from a reputable source, reassuring the parents as to the quality of education.

The involvement of industry experts in the development of the curriculum is another wise strategy. These experts bring on board current practical insights that help keep courses relevant. Highlighting the qualifications and experience of instructors can further assuage the parents' concerns as to the quality of education their kids are receiving.

Leveraging Technology For Personalised Learning

Now, turning to the role of technology — which is a strong tool for personalising learning experiences. As far as young people are concerned, AI-driven adaptive learning systems can tailor content based on their needs, thus making learning more engaging and effective. 

They adapt depending on the progress students make and provide a personalised path so that children stay interested and keep moving on. 

Data analytics also plays a very significant role here. The progress of students, with tracking and subsequent analysis, allows the EdTech platform to provide personalised support for growth and hence prove to parents that the company cares about the success of their child.

Ensuring Security And Privacy Of Data

The big issue that comes with all this technology is data security. Parents want to be sure their child's information is safe. 

Of course, strong measures in cybersecurity are a must. This can further be supported by clear data usage policies that explain exactly how children's data is used and stored.

Building Supportive Community

Building a trustworthy community is yet another way of regaining lost trust. Constructing forums that allow for interaction between parents and teachers freely helps keep open lines of communication, and such concerns are nipped in the bud. 

The learning experience could be enhanced if there was peer-to-peer learning and support among the students. Arranging webinars and workshops for parents would give them great insights into learning, therefore letting them get closer and more informed. 

Future Outlook

The future of EdTech in India is still promising. Virtual reality and gamification are just some such innovations that can make learning much more engaging. The companies that focus on transparency, credibility, and community engagement are well-poised and positioned to shape the future of education in India. 

Further, there are chances that it will extend access to unserved areas and provide quality education to students who cannot otherwise afford it. Be it solving the present challenges or regaining lost trust, EdTech is going to play a crucial role in democratising education in India.

Meanwhile, they must focus on transparency, credibility, personalised learning, security of data, and community building to regain parents' trust to further provide valued foreign education opportunities to Indian students.

(The author is the Founder, Educate Online)

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