SWAYAM Courses Face Setback: Under 4% Completion Rate Since 2017, Content Lags Behind

SWAYAM Course Completion Below 4% Since 2017: Panel Cites Outdated Content, Digital Divide

Less than 4% of students enrolled in SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active–Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) courses have successfully completed their programs since 2017, according to a recent parliamentary committee report. The committee, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, highlighted several key issues behind the low completion rate—including outdated course material, inflexible teaching methods, and inadequate digital infrastructure.

The panel emphasized that unless the Ministry of Education actively assists in student placements or creates a platform within SWAYAM to connect learners with recruiters, digital education initiatives will continue to see limited engagement.

"Teachers face inadequate training, low pay, and frequent technical challenges, which hampers their ability to teach effectively," the report noted. The 1:15 teacher-student ratio, crucial in traditional learning, is often ignored in SWAYAM's online model, leading to overcrowded virtual classrooms.

Equity remains a major concern as well. A 2022 Oxfam India report cited by the panel reveals that just 4% of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, and only 7% of Other Backward Classes (OBC) students have access to internet-enabled computers—raising serious questions about the inclusivity of the National Digital University (NDU) model.

To address these challenges, the committee recommends:

• Proactive placement assistance through a recruiter-student portal integrated with SWAYAM.
• Creation of a dedicated cell to increase participation from underprivileged communities.
• Regular monitoring of enrolment and student progress.
• Stronger efforts to ensure course completion, learning from the shortcomings of private online platforms.