Right to Education in the Digital Era: A Legal-Policy Review

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Praveen Reddy

Independent Researcher

Telangana, India

Abstract
The advent of the digital era has transformed the traditional understanding of the Right to Education (RTE), demanding a comprehensive reexamination of legal and policy frameworks to ensure equitable, high-quality learning opportunities for all. This manuscript delves into the multifaceted implications of digitization on education rights by conducting a legal-policy review across international instruments and representative national statutes. It synthesizes existing scholarship on digital inclusion, data privacy, pedagogical quality, and governance mechanisms; applies a structured comparative analysis to identify gaps in statutory recognition, access provisions, accreditation standards, and oversight structures; and proposes targeted reforms aimed at fortifying RTE guarantees in digitally mediated contexts. Our findings reveal inconsistent recognition of online modalities, fragmented approaches to infrastructure provisioning, underdeveloped quality assurance protocols for e-learning, and scant protections for learner data. To address these deficiencies, we recommend explicit statutory inclusion of digital education within RTE guarantees; binding targets for universal connectivity and device provision; integration of digital pedagogy criteria and mandatory certification for online instructors; enactment of sector-specific data protection regulations; and establishment of empowered, independent oversight bodies with enforcement authority. These measures will not only bridge existing legal-policy lacunae but also equip educational systems to harness the full potential of digital technologies in fulfilling the fundamental human right to education. This expanded analysis underscores the urgency of adaptive, forward-looking legal instruments that uphold equity, quality, and learner dignity in an increasingly digital learning ecosystem.

Keywords
Right to Education, Digital Era, Legal-Policy Review, Digital Inclusion, Education Law

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