Digital learning was once touted as the way forward. However, 15 years after books were replaced by computers, Sweden is now investing €104 million to bring back printed textbooks. The reason? Officials believe that the digital-first approach has failed to develop basic skills like reading and writing. Once again, computers are being set aside to make room for traditional textbooks in the curriculum.

In a country like India, where we often look to the West for inspiration, this decision raises important questions. What impact can this change in Sweden have on India? Additionally, how prevalent is digital education here, and has it penetrated deeply enough to impact students in the same way?

Swedish perspective

After Sweden introduced digital education in schools, schools in Ireland followed suit. However, the Swedish government, after more than a decade of experimenting with digital-first education, recognized a worrying trend: students’ reading and writing skills were declining. Schools Minister Lotta Edholm stressed the importance of analog environments to develop fundamental skills, announcing significant investment in textbooks and the reintroduction of traditional teaching methods.

This doesn’t mean that Sweden is abandoning technology altogether – it’s about striking a balance. UNESCO has similarly cautioned against over-reliance on digital devices while advocating for teacher-led, in-person learning.

India: a digital paradox in education

India, with its socio-economic diversity and huge student population, faces unique challenges in integrating digital education. According to Praneet Mungali, trustee of Sanskriti Group Schools, initiatives like Right to Education and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan have improved access to education, but reading habits are largely limited to textbooks.

For millions of students, especially in rural areas, digital education remains a distant dream due to limited resources. Meanwhile, urban schools are increasingly adopting digital tools, creating a stark divide.

Anu Singh (name changed), a teacher at a reputed school in Delhi and mother of two, shares, “In India, we are still in the blackboard teaching era, and textbooks are an integral part of the curriculum of most students. Unless it is an IB school where digital learning is fully integrated, access to such resources is limited. Yes, many students have access to phones at home, but this is where the problem arises. While some people use them for better understanding of the subjects, parental discretion is important in this regard.

She agrees with Mungali’s views, and says that for many students, owning a textbook is a luxury in itself, making the idea of ​​relying on digital learning seem almost unrealistic.

Are we reading less?

The problem in India is not with digital learning but with the dominance of visual media. According to a report by the National Literacy Trust (NLT) organization in 2024, which included over 76,000 responses, it shows that only 34.6% of children aged 8 to 18 enjoy reading in their free time.

Amazon Fire TV’s annual streaming trends report last year revealed that Indians now spend an average of more than four hours per day watching content on their Fire TV devices. With the number of smartphone users in India crossing the 1 billion mark, 90% of them prefer to consume video content online.

The increase in screen time among students is not a result of schools adopting digital learning; Rather, it arises from excessive exposure of content on OTT platforms.

As consumption of digital content increases, traditional reading appears to be in decline – a pattern mirrored globally. Arzoo Wadhawan, clinical psychologist at Artemis Hospitals, highlights several factors:

• Instant gratification: Platforms like Netflix provide instant, visual entertainment requiring less cognitive effort.
• Attention spans: Social media and multitasking culture reduce deep, focused engagement with text.
• The shift to shorter formats: blogs, tweets and audiobooks cater to modern lifestyles, but compromise critical thinking and concentration.

Role of libraries, policies and book fairs

However, Swagat Sengupta, CEO of Oxford Bookstores, offers a more optimistic view, noting that readership is not declining uniformly. “We see a dynamic presence of kids, Gen Z and beyond,” he says, crediting initiatives like book fairs and literary workshops for developing lifelong reading habits.

India’s public and school-based libraries are important in bridging this gap. Yet, many lack sufficient funding or modern management. Mungali advocates investment in schools and public libraries to make books accessible to all socio-economic groups. Government schemes like the National Library Mission provide a starting point, but much still needs to be done.

Screen Time and Learning

Sweden’s return to textbook policy stems from growing evidence that screen time can interfere with basic education. “Repeated multitasking takes a toll on the brain, reducing the ability to focus and read deeply,” explains Wadhawan. In India too, concerns are rising over excessive screen exposure of children, necessitating a balanced approach towards technology.

way forward

India’s challenge is not digital education itself, yet the numbers show a decline in readership. The mother of a class VIII student, who will soon be promoted to class ninth, shares her experience: “Every Friday, my daughter gets a book from the school library as part of her curriculum. But when she comes home, the book is locked in her drawer, untouched. Instead, she uses her phone – whether for homework, gaming, or watching videos. The library book eventually goes back unread. I believe, we need strong incentives and creative strategies to develop the habit of reading, which is becoming difficult with each passing day.”

Experts suggest:

• Strengthening school libraries: As centers of analog learning, these can promote reading beyond examinations.
• Promoting family reading: Making reading a social activity can counter OTT-driven habits.
• Simplifying the reading experience: Apps that combine books with interactive elements can engage tech-savvy students.