Why Education Should be Zero Rated: The Benefits for Students and Teachers
Internet access has become an integral part of education. Students and teachers need to access the internet to obtain information, conduct research, and communicate with each other. However, access to the internet is not always affordable, especially in developing countries. To overcome this challenge, some countries have implemented zero-rating policies for educational content. In this blog post, we will explore why education should be zero-rated and the benefits it brings to students and teachers.
What Does Zero Rating Mean?
Zero-rating refers to the practice of exempting certain internet services or applications from data charges. For example, if a student is using an educational website, the internet provider might waive data charges for that site, making it free to access. This means that students can access educational content without worrying about the cost of data, making education more accessible to everyone.
Accessibility to Education
Education is a fundamental right, yet many people remain excluded from it due to cost barriers. Zero-rating could help bridge this gap by making education materials accessible to all students regardless of their social status. Students from lower-income households would be able to access and use educational resources just like those from wealthier families. This would help ensure that education is accessible to all, thus promoting equity and fairness.
Improved Student Outcomes
Zero-rating can improve student outcomes by increasing student engagement and achievement. According to a study conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, increased access to digital resources results in better learning outcomes. Zero-rating could influence students to engage more with educational material, giving them access to crucial resources such as e-books, videos, and online courses. By providing affordable and easy access to digital resources, students have a better chance of achieving better results in exams and overall academic performance.
More Opportunities for Teachers
Zero-rating educational content can also benefit teachers in the delivery of their teaching. Teachers can obtain additional resources, materials, and insights to support their lesson planning. In turn, they can improve their teaching abilities and provide quality lessons that positively impact their students’ performance. Additionally, zero-rating can encourage teachers to use more digital content, allowing them to access quality materials from all over the world.
Challenges of Zero Rating
While zero-rating provides significant benefits to students and teachers, there are significant challenges associated with it. One of the main problems is the fact that only certain websites are exempted from data charges. This means that students and teachers may have limited content to access, especially if the exemption is partial or based on certain criteria.
Moreover, some argue that zero-rating does not address the fundamental problem of digital inequality, which relates to inadequate infrastructure, devices, and lack of digital skills. Without addressing these underlying issues, zero-rating may not be enough to ensure equitable access to education.
Conclusion
In conclusion, zero-rating educational content has the potential to impact positively the delivery of education for students and teachers worldwide. It can increase accessibility, improve academic achievements, and provide more opportunities for learning. However, it is imperative to address the challenges associated with zero-rating to ensure that it promotes digital equity effectively. With the right implementation, zero-rating has enormous potential in breaking down the barriers that have limited access to education.
