OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL EDUCATION INTO SCHOOL EDUCATION IN WEST BENGAL

This paper investigates the integration of Digital Education in school education in West Bengal, assessing its opportunities, challenges, and future directions. The study is significant for modernizing and diversifying education in West Bengal, aiming to enhance learning outcomes and bridge socio-economic disparities. Introduction: The integration of Digital Education in education is pivotal in the digital age. In West Bengal, initiatives like "Digital West Bengal" highlight the importance of technology in education, promoting student engagement and collaborative learning environments. The study aims to bridge knowledge gaps about Digital Education in West Bengal schools through a descriptive survey method, collecting data from teachers across West Bengal on their utilization, perceptions, and suggestions regarding Digital Education. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to analyze effective strategies for integrating Digital Education, identify opportunities for enhancing teaching and learning, assess challenges hindering successful integration, and propose future directions for maximizing Digital Education benefits in West Bengal school education. Methodology: A descriptive survey method was employed, using a self-constructed questionnaire distributed to a diverse sample of teachers in West Bengal. The questionnaire, designed on a 5-point Likert scale, aimed to gauge perceptions and opinions on Digital Education integration of digital education among teachers. The study involved stratified sampling across urban and rural, public, and private schools at the higher secondary level. Findings: The research found significant disparities in Digital Education integration between urban and rural public schools, with urban schools having a higher level of integration. However, the study found no significant difference between urban and rural private schools. Challenges in Digital Education integration were similar across all schools, emphasizing the need for unified strategies. Opportunities for Digital Education integration did not significantly differ between urban and rural schools, indicating an equitable landscape for Digital Education integration across different school environments in West Bengal. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to bridge the digital divide in rural areas and ensure equitable access to technology-enhanced learning. The findings suggest a need for comprehensive strategies encompassing infrastructure, teacher training, curriculum development, and policy frameworks to support sustainable Digital Education integration efforts.