Edtech cos extend free online learning amid corona scare

Chennai: With schools shutting down in some cities as a result of Coronavirus outbreak, ed tech companies in the K12 space are smelling an opportunity.

Some are offering free live online classes, while few others are doing it at a subsidised rates. Schools in Delhi, Kerala and Bengaluru are shut amid increase in the number of

Covid-19

cases.

Online tutoring platform Vedantu is providing free live classes — which are usually paid — for all its courses, including IIT preparation modules. The live sessions are available at Rs 10 to Rs 900/ hour based on personalisation and class levels. The crash course for IIT can cost upto Rs 30,000.

It is also in talks with schools to offer platform support so that teachers can ‘teach live’ for free. The educational institutions can either use the platform for their own teachers to take classes or access the platform’s existing content for free.

“We are here to support by making our platform free during this crucial time. The students can study from the safety of their home,” said Vamsi Krishna, CEO, Vedantu. Toppr, an online learning

app

for classes 5-12, is providing free access to their live classes until May. Services worth up to Rs 20,000 are now being made free on the app. Byjus on the other hand is offering free access to its learning app until the end of April. “Considering the rigour of the exam season, access to the learning program will further assist students continue with their preparation for the year-end examinations,” a statement from Byjus said. Another platform Educational Initiatives (EI) is offering a 60-day free access to its

Mindspark

maths app for school children across various boards.

In the competitive exam space, Unacademy and Gradeup, are also increasing their free lessons to those appearing for UPSC, banking and railway exams. While Gradeup is doubling the number of free videos, Unacademy is pooling in its educators to offer 20,000 free live classes.

Gaurav Munjal, CEO, Unacademy said that this service will be available until the end of March and if the Covid-19 scare does not die down, the period will be extended to May.