Edulyte Marketplace is an edtech startup that aims to make quality education accessible to all. Edulyte connects students across India from metros to towns to tier 3 cities with the teachers who share their knowledge & information with the learners. Recently Team IT-Voice interacted with Gajendra Jaiswal, Founder & CEO of Edulyte Marketplace. Here is a brief from the short interaction.
Prateek: What is the vision behind Edulyte Marketplace?
Gajendra Jaiswal: We strive to revolutionize the learning environment and create a valuable relationship between educators, learners, and technology. We focus on creating new ways to learn and experiment. Quality education with technology at its core is to be made accessible within a shared economy model. We believe that the upliftment of teachers equals a better society and an inspired world.
Prateek: With the inception of technology, much-needed changes are being seen in the Education sector. What trends will dominate in the coming years?
Gajendra Jaiswal: Edulyte Marketplace firmly believes that AI, Hybrid Learning, Gamification, and the adoption of personalized learning will dominate the education sector. These are not merely trends but phenomena that will be governing and modifying the face of education. Their impact can be felt already and we know it is just the beginning.
Prateek: What are some of the challenges & gaps in the Indian Ecosystem?
Gajendra Jaiswal: As the pandemic has shown, digital learning is yet to reach the grassroots level. There is a stark difference between those who have access to technology and affordable data and those who do not. This has emerged as a major challenge in the Indian education ecosystem.
Teacher education and their ability to adapt to quickly evolving technology is another major issue in our education system. There is a great need to train and equip the teachers to handle scenarios beyond the conventional classrooms and teaching techniques.
The other challenging area I can think of is the development of a fair and equitable assessment system where it’s not just rote learning which is rewarded but critical thinking, innovation, and life skills are assessed. Multiple entries and exit pathways at various levels will improve the productivity & competitiveness of the Indian labor market; as a result, candidates will start thinking beyond government jobs. Optimal infrastructure and funding are the need of the hour.
Prateek: Has the pandemic proved as a catalyst for growth or vice versa?
Gajendra Jaiswal: The pandemic has done many things which would otherwise not have been possible even in 10 years’ time. Changing the habits and mindset for the good of the masses is very very difficult. We as a society started experimenting with new technologies, learning and teaching from home are a new normal now.
Covid19 has shaken the entire education structure in a much-desired manner. A greater number of educationalists, academicians, leaders, and not just teachers and parents are now working towards a much refined and dynamic education ecosystem. A system that is in tandem with the times and contemporary technology. So yes it’s proved to be a catalyst for growth.
Prateek: What will be your plan for expansion in the coming time?
Gajendra Jaiswal: We are determined to build a world-class community of experts and learners where everyone involved is a winner i.e. a win-win situation. Our team is building a proprietary system to connect educators with students in a meaningful way.
As you can imagine, good things do take time so we are learning and improving our infrastructure, processes, and systems every day. We will definitely expand into tier 2 and tier 3 cities and then towns and villages as internet users keep growing in India. There is no doubt tech-driven learning is the future.
Prateek: Tell us how could the Startup ecosystem in India evolve for the good?
Gajendra Jaiswal: Let me start by thanking the government for the start-up India initiative, we are also a recognized startup. There are plenty of activities going on in the startup ecosystem but that’s not enough given the diversity of our nation and low access to capital. We’ve recently seen many new unicorns (companies with a valuation of 1 billion dollars and above) from India, however, I feel the focus should be not just on valuation but creating businesses that can survive the test of time. Government must come forward to help great ideas thrive and help entrepreneurs so that founders are not forced to sell their companies prematurely because of lack of funding.
There is no dearth of incubators and accelerators but there is a gap when it comes to innovation. The short-term focus is not going to help the startup ecosystem. Good businesses need nurturing like a baby, a skilled workforce has to be created and encouraged to build upon their ideas with complete plans for their feasibility and knack of cracking the market at an opportune time. Risk-taking must be encouraged, failure should not be punished as we know we learn big time when we fail.
Complicated regulations, and at times their sudden changes can leave the startups struggling in the dark as the uncertainty hits them harder than well-established companies. Rules must be relaxed for startups so that they can swiftly execute their plans, some steps have been taken but those are not enough. Indian startups also need some impetus to compete against giant conglomerates and enterprises. Reaching customers in a market as diverse as India’s and ensuring customers’ willingness to try a new product is not an easy feat.
For any such interaction opportunities, you may write to us at [email protected].
