Education’s future is phygital—blending strong foundations with intelligent technology

As India’s school education system undergoes a transformative phase with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework, the role of technology, teacher empowerment, and inclusive learning ecosystems has become more crucial than ever. In this insightful conversation with Praveen Singh, the CEO of AASOKA – a digital learning platform by the MBD Group – shares perspectives on how classrooms are evolving beyond rote learning towards conceptual understanding, competency-based assessments, and technology-enabled pedagogy. The discussion also explores the growing importance of AI-driven learning tools, teacher training, and bridging the urban–rural education divide. Conducted by Education Post’s Prabhav Anand, this interview highlights how the future of education will increasingly be shaped by a balanced “phygital” approach that blends traditional academic foundations with innovative digital learning solutions.

1. The Indian school education ecosystem is currently witnessing a major transition with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework. From your vantage point, working closely with schools across the country, what are the most significant changes you see unfolding in classrooms today, and how prepared do you think schools are for this transformation?

With the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework, students are shifting from rote learning towards conceptual understanding. Today, more classrooms are becoming interactive, with a focus on project-based and collaborative learning that motivate students to apply what they have learned. Another important priority under NEP 2020 is strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy in the early years of schooling. Schools are increasingly recognising that strong reading, writing, and numeracy skills in the foundational stage play a critical role in shaping students’ long-term academic progress.

Based on my experience at MBD and AASOKA, it is evident that schools are eager to adopt and implement the suggested changes but they require additional support in many areas such as teacher training, assessment planning, teaching learning resources etc. Hence, schools with access to such academic support services are better positioned to adapt smoothly to NEP 2020. We are also seeing greater discussion around competency-based assessments. Instead of focusing only on memorisation, schools are beginning to explore ways to evaluate whether students can analyse, apply, and interpret what they have learned.

2. Over the past decade, digital learning has moved from being an optional add-on to becoming an integral part of the classroom experience. However, many educators still struggle to integrate technology meaningfully into pedagogy. In your view, what does effective technology integration in schools actually look like beyond smart boards and digital content?

Effective technology integration in schools is not just about installing smart boards or adding digital resources to the classroom. It is about using it in ways that genuinely improve how students learn and teachers plan more effectively. Today, tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) are beginning to play an important role in this shift. AI can personalize learning experiences, provide real-time feedback, and give teachers deeper insights into how students are progressing. When used thoughtfully, technology moves beyond replicating traditional teaching methods and instead helps make learning more responsive and adaptive.

The most meaningful digital transformation occurs when technology subtly supports the educational process without overwhelming the classroom. Technology can help teachers plan more effectively, evaluate student results more clearly, and quickly identify where students might be struggling. Ultimately, it’s about making classrooms more engaging and efficient, while eliminating some of the everyday stresses teachers deal with so they can concentrate on what’s most important: teaching and mentoring students.

3. Teachers often remain at the center of any educational reform, yet they are frequently overwhelmed by administrative work, new technologies, and changing expectations. What kind of support systems—training, tools, or policy interventions—do you believe are most critical today to truly empower teachers in this evolving environment?

There is no doubt that teachers continue to hold the key to driving changes in education. However, they are under an increased pressure to successfully adopt new teaching methods and effectively incorporate technology into their classrooms.

Empowering teachers through constant training and development is essential. Through our work with schools, we have also had the opportunity to train more than 80,000 teachersyear-on-year, which has further reinforced how important continuous professional development is in helping educators adapt to new pedagogical approaches. The next important aspect is providing teachers with well designed teaching resources and an effective support system within the organization. Professional development programmes should focus on strengthening both pedagogical and digital teaching skills.

At the same time, digital platforms can help reduce routine administrative tasks by offering structured lesson plans, automated assessments, and learning insights. When teachers are supported with the right ecosystem, they are able to focus more on what truly matters, helping students develop curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking.

4. There is an ongoing debate about the role of artificial intelligence, coding, and robotics in school education. Some believe early exposure to these technologies is essential, while others argue that foundational learning should remain the priority. How do you see this balance playing out in the K-12 education landscape?

This shouldn’t be viewed as a choice between foundational learning and new technologies. Literacy, numeracy, and a solid understanding of basic concepts are always going to be at the heart of good education. At the same time, as the world becomes more complex, students are also expected to be familiar with new technologies such as robotics, coding, even artificial intelligence.

The real focus should be on bringing these elements together in a balanced way. Educational programs can integrate new technologies while still strengthening core academic skills. The key is to introduce them in an age-appropriate manner so that technology supports learning rather than replacing the fundamentals. When introduced through hands-on activities, these technologies can strengthen logical reasoning, computational thinking, and problem-solving skills.

5. One of the persistent challenges in Indian education is the gap between urban and rural schools in terms of access to resources, technology, and quality learning tools. Based on your experience working with diverse institutions, what practical steps can help bridge this divide and make innovation more inclusive?

The way to bridge the gap between urban and rural schools is not only about bringing technology into the classrooms. It is also about improving the overall learning environment in these places. It is important to train rural school teachers on a regular basis so that they are comfortable working with technology in the classroom. Providing learning resources in regional languages is equally important. Students learn more effectively when educational content reflects the language and cultural context they are familiar with. Also, digital technologies must be available offline as well so that students can continue learning even when they do not have access to the internet.

Working with schools pan-India and abroad for over a decade, one thing that has become very clear is the importance of building digital tools that can function effectively in real-world classroom conditions. This means building tools that can function even on low-bandwidth environments to ensure that students in rural environments have access to quality learning materials. At the same time, creating a more inclusive system will require stronger collaboration between government bodies, education providers, and technology companies so that solutions remain practical, scalable, and accessible to the schools that need them the most.

6. With the rapid growth of educational technology platforms, questions around screen time, student engagement, and data privacy have become increasingly important for parents and educators alike. How should institutions and technology providers address these concerns while still leveraging the benefits of digital learning?

In the era of AI, addressing these concerns in the right manner requires thoughtful action from both educational institutions and technology companies. It is the responsibility of the schools to ensure that digital tools complement classroom interaction rather than replace the relationship between teachers and students. Designing blended learning strategies can be very effective in this regard. Schools can also adopt clear screen-time guidelines so that digital tools are used in a balanced way alongside discussions, activities, and hands-on learning. For example, one weekly assessment for students aged 7 to13 can be conducted under parental guidance to ensure responsible and supervised use of digital platforms.

At the same time, technology providers have an important responsibility to build platforms that prioritize student safety and privacy. This includes adhering to strong data protection standards and clearly communicating how student information is collected and used. When institutions and technology partners work together in this way, it becomes easier to build trust while still benefiting from the opportunities digital learning offers.

7. As someone leading a major digital learning initiative within a legacy education group, how do you see the relationship between traditional educational publishing and new-age digital learning evolving in the coming years? Do you believe the two can coexist effectively, or will one eventually dominate the other?

As the MBD Group, with more than 70 years of experience in education and long-standing relationships with schools across the country, we have seen how traditional educational publishing and digital learning can complement each other rather than compete. Traditional educational materials such as textbooks continue to play an important role in ensuring that learning remains structured, evidence-based, and aligned with the curriculum. At the same time, global publishing trends show that digital formats are growing alongside print rather than replacing them. Digital learning also opens up new possibilities to engage learners through interactivity, analytics, and personalised learning pathways.

This thinking has also shaped the development of AASOKA, which was designed as an evolving learning management system that combines strong academic content with digital resources such as interactive modules, assessments, and classroom support tools, allowing schools and teachers to adapt more easily to changing learning needs.

Another important shift is in how students consume content today. Many learners are already comfortable accessing educational material through digital and video platforms such as YouTube, which makes it important for learning resources to be available across both print and digital formats.

Going forward, education will increasingly move towards a phygital model, where physical and digital learning experiences work together. Strong printed resources will continue to provide the academic foundation, while digital tools will add flexibility, engagement, and better visibility into student progress. When used thoughtfully, this combination allows teachers to deliver richer learning experiences and support students in more meaningful ways.

8. On a personal note, you have spent a significant part of your professional journey working at the intersection of education, technology, and publishing. What experiences have shaped your understanding of the education sector, and what continues to inspire you to work toward improving learning outcomes for students?

Over the past 18 years, I have had the privilege of working closely with schools, educators, and academic institutions, which has given me a deep understanding of how the education ecosystem functions at the ground level. Interacting regularly with teachers and school leaders has been one of the most valuable parts of this journey, as it has helped me understand the real challenges they face in delivering quality education.

Working at the intersection of education, technology, and publishing has shown me how thoughtfully designed learning resources can significantly improve classroom outcomes. What continues to inspire me is the impact education has on shaping future generations. Contributing to solutions that empower teachers and make learning more engaging and accessible for students remains a strong motivation in everything we do at Aasoka.