A parliamentary panel led by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh has flagged concerns over the SWAYAM platform, indicating that less than 4% of students enrolled in its courses have completed their programs since the inception of SWAYAM in 2017. The report cites several factors for this abysmally low completion rate, including content that is often outdated, rigid teaching methods, and inadequate infrastructure.

SWAYAM is an initiative of the Government of India launched with the objectives of providing affordable, high-quality education to all students in India. The website contains a vast number of courses under various domains like Mathematics, Science, Architecture, Law, Humanities, Design, Engineering, and Technology. It caters to learners in a wide age group, including Class 9 to postgraduate levels, so it is really a comprehensive education for a lot of people.

According to the vision articulated on the SWAYAM website, the platform was designed to realize the three principles enshrined in the National Education Policy: access, equity, and quality. Specifically, it was hoped that the best resources of teaching and learning would be brought to all the students who might otherwise have been on the other side of this revolution and excluded from the educational opportunities generated by the digital revolution. SWAYAM aims to bridge the digital divide by ensuring that learners from every corner of the nation, irrespective of their socioeconomic status or geographical location, have equal access to top-tier educational content.

Despite these noble intentions, the platform has been criticized for its abysmally low completion rates. The low rate of course completion has raised questions about the effectiveness of SWAYAM in achieving its objectives. Experts have pointed to a variety of reasons for this. One major issue is the outdated content available on the platform. Many learners have expressed dissatisfaction with the material, citing that it does not reflect current trends, teaching methods, or real-world applications. As a result, students often lose interest or feel that the material is not relevant to their needs or career aspirations.

The low completion rate can be attributed to the rigidity of the teaching methods used on SWAYAM. The courses are designed entirely online, but the lack of personalized interaction, real-time guidance, and face-to-face communication with instructors have made it difficult for many students to fully engage with the material. Some students have also complained that the courses are too structured, which makes it difficult for them to complete them at their own pace. This has been a challenge to working professionals or those with time constraints, who may not be able to keep up with the prescribed pace of the courses.

The infrastructure of the platform has also faced major criticism. Even though it is free, SWAYAM has not been able to deliver an uninterrupted learning experience. The technical glitches, such as navigating the platform, not using proper video quality, and slow uploading processes, have frustrated the users. This problem is compounded by the fact that most students in rural areas have poor internet connectivity that makes online interaction an issue.

In addition, though SWAYAM offers free access to course materials, a student who wishes to obtain a certificate has to register for a proctored exam, which is paid. The inconvenience of attending these exams in person at designated centers on specific dates has been a cause of concern for many students, especially those from far-flung areas or those with scheduling conflicts. The cost of the exam and traveling to an exam center is a deterrent to some learners, which may also impact their motivation to complete the course.

Although these are the setbacks, SWAYAM is still an important initiative for the promotion of digital education in India. The platform has made tremendous strides in making learning resources available, but the impact is limited by the issues identified. Challenges of content relevancy, teaching flexibility, and infrastructure-related must be worked on so that the platform delivers equitable and quality education that will bring about a greater percentage of completion rates. Reviewing the certification process and the requirements set for the exam may also help in diminishing some of the barriers preventing students from completing their courses.

As the platform evolves, serious concerns from these stakeholders will force policymakers to respond to these grievances and implement mechanisms that improve overall user experience on the platform. Improving its mechanisms, SWAYAM may be a potential game-changer in the education system of India, empowering its learners with skill and knowledge so that they thrive in the era of digital development.