Sitharaman Announces Launch of Digital University, ‘One Class, One TV Channel’ & Reforms in Agri Universities

Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman presented Union Budget 2022-23 yesterday on February 1. This year budget covered some of the key announcements for the education sector. The Minister announced the launch of Digital University & expanding ‘One Class, One TV Channel’ for supplementary education. 

Digital University: 

A Digital University would be established, according to the Minister, to deliver education in the country. The hub and spoke approach will be used to construct the varsity. The digital university will provide lectures in regional languages and through ICT (information and communication technology) platforms. 

Expansion of ‘One Class, One TV Channel’ 

The budget highlighted the importance of digital learning for students which has been affected due to prolonged closure of schools and colleges. To compensate that loss, Nirmala Sitharaman announced  PM eVIDYA's 'One Class, One TV Channel' initiative to be expanded from 12 to 200 TV channels encompassing numerous regional languages, according to FM. 

This channel will be used to give students  with supplemental education. 

In addition, the National Skill Qualification Framework will be updated to reflect changing industry needs. The e-portal Digital Ecosystem for Skilling & Livelihood will be launched to help citizens find relevant jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. Sitharaman announced the creation of a digital environment for skilling and livelihood (DESH-Stack e-portal) to promote online training, along with the establishment of a digital university to create a world-class education ecosystem. 

Focus on Agriculture Education: 

Further, Sitharaman announced that the states will be encouraged to revise the syllabus of agriculture universities to meet the needs of natural zero budget farming, modern-day agriculture, value addition & management. The government will also give a comprehensive package to the farmers to use the right variety of fruits and vegetables, in which the states will also participate.