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Amazon enters the test preparation market, BYJU S is in talks for a billion dollar acquisition, and Facebook-backed Unacademy raises more funds – a big day in India s edtech
Amazon enters the test preparation market, BYJU S is in talks for a billion dollar acquisition, and Facebook-backed Unacademy raises more funds – a big day in India s edtech
Sanchita DashJan 13, 2021, 18:57 IST
BI India
India’s education sector is poised to grow from the current $117 billion to $225 billion by FY25.
And to have a piece of the pie, the biggest players are scrambling for customers, acquisitions and moolah.
Here’s how just one day in India’s
Amazon is launching Amazon Academy to cater to students preparing for the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) for entrance to engineering colleges. The move would enable it to take on top edtech companies such as Byju’s, Unacademy, Vedantu and traditional education institutes and tap country’s $180-billion education sector which has gone online to adapt to the new reality. The online preparation offering will equip students with in-depth knowledge and practice routines required for the JEE, through curated learning material, live lectures and comprehensive assessments in Math, Physics and Chemistry. The beta version of Amazon Academy will be available free of cost on the web and the Google Play store
Edtech decacorn Byju’s is in talks to acquire exam preparation firm Aakash Educational Services Limited for about $700 million-$750 million, according to the sources. “But the conversations are very early. Even the term sheet has not been signed yet,” said an industry source with direct knowledge about the matter. If the deal is signed, it would become one of the biggest edtech acquisitions in the world. New Delhi-based Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) is the biggest education organisation in India. It provides comprehensive test preparatory services for students preparing for medical and engineering entrance examinations. It also provides services related to school and board exams and competitive exams such as NTSE, KVPY, and Olympiads.
Updated Dec 22, 2020 | 19:16 IST
NEET 2021 dates have not been announced as yet. Following changes in JEE Main, experts now expect positive changes in NEET exam as well and are hoping for introduction of online exams this year. NEET 2021: Experts suggest conducting exam in online mode | Photo Credit: Representative Image
After the announcement of JEE Main 2021 schedule, all eyes are on National Testing Agency, NTA and Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal for announcement on NEET 2021. Speaking on the changes introduced in JEE Main, experts have welcomed the changes and have asked for similar measures for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET 2021 as well.