It is unlikely that adult education will lead to potential developments or innovation that would raise the society as a whole. Unlikely, but not impossible.

Anyhow, the opportunity cost of educating somebody might mean that we are ignoring the root cause of why we want to educate them. If it is to make better consumers out of them – of goods, services – or better sellers – of products they make, then possibly it could be done in another way. Perhaps then, e-chaupals are not such a bad idea but personal laptops might be, as e-chaupals enable the illiterate village folk gain more knowledge reliably, which they can use for immediate benefit.

Shouldn’t we then, focus on educating the next generation, as it is obviously them who will take us further and for now, be content with the miserly services we provide the adult poor with?

Of course I am talking in a macro sense – some basic education should be imparted and must be universal – but a working knowledge would suffice in most cases. Exceptional adults can be identified and offered scholarships to pursue studies further if possible.

Also, your chalk and blackboard theory ignores the human capital that will be necessary – it just might not be possible to have a permanent teacher at that location, so ICT might be able to help there.

Overall though, I agree that most organizations try and shove down ICT solutions down every throat and that they should be a bit restrained and evaluate all possibilities and angles first.

[...]