Many companies offer online and remote learning courses. In the pandemic, the schools and colleges were closed. Edtech sector received a boost. There are five edtech unicorns in India. There are many fly-by-night operators. China has become stricter in regulating this sector. China prohibits edtech companies to raise public money or foreign capital. This has benefited edtech players there.

The government has advised caution in using the services of edtech companies. The offers must be carefully evaluated. They lure the subscribers to free courses, and do not disclose the auto-debits later on. There are inordinate delays in getting refunds. K–12, i.e. kindergarten to class 12, sector is unregulated. The government has so far treated the sector with kid gloves by just offering warnings to mend the ways. If edtech behaves erratically, there could be heavy scrutiny and regulation.

However, it is so difficult to monitor this sprawling sector. Many companies follow a business model that generates revenues rather than quality education. Investors exit the sector after five years. The government must set the standards and initiate certification process. There should be a lock-in period for investors.

Proper regulation of this sector will spare financial distress to many middle and lower-income families. Education cannot be fully left to the private sector. The government should have thought about public distance learning education modules. That would have benefited large number of students during the lockdowns on account of the pandemic.