Blockchain: Is it the future to education?

- By Ambarish Datta

MD & CEO of BSE Institute and a member of the Board of Directors for BFSI Sector Skill Council of India

Blockchain – the new kid on the block has been making news for some time now. While there are many who have been skeptic about it, there are a few who have started exploring its use. Block chain – now Blockchain is a distributed database that maintains a continuously growing list of ordered records called blocks. Each block contains a timestamp and a link to a previous block. Blockchain by design are non editable.Bitcoin the new crypto currency is built using the Blockchain framework. Currently Blockchain seems extremely popular for the financial services Industry with multiple type of applications being explored. However, does Blockchain have any application to a completely diverse industry like Education & Skills?

One of key systemic shifts in learning is that it has become decentralized and beyond any boundaries. Diversified across multiple channels, learners now are breaking conventional stereotyped ways to acquiring new knowledge on blocks. No longer is it necessary to visit a college to acquire knowledge or skills. With technology, learners are finding newer ways to do so without any fuss. These alternate ways to learn are now challenging the very existence of universities and colleges across the globe. Also, learners are realizing that smaller chunks of learning, acquired over a period of time works much better than a conventional credential driven certificate from the college. It no longer matters where these knowledge blocks are acquired, as long as the learner can demonstrate successfully the knowledge or skills purposefully. So, can Blockchain be used in education?

Recordkeeping:

One key challenge for the education and skill domain has been the need to keep a reliable repository of academic and workmanship records. There are many examples where prospective employees have overstated academic accomplishments and experiences helping build an entirely new industry for employee verification services. A secure repository of such records, time stamped can be a big help for all stakeholders including students, universities, employers and others.

Badges:

With learning blocks being acquired from multiple platforms (classroom, online, peer to peer, activity led etc), it is time that a newer way to record such learning’s is established. The current format of using “ certificates” only as the way to record needs a review, since all learning’s now necessarily do not lead to a formal certificate. Say a badge for every learning block acquired could be issued. Using Blockchain such badges would be recorded and time – stamped and like a stack of cans be kept in a database. Badges could subsequently be used for up-skilling and used as learning currency for progression.

Credentialing:

Conventional academic degrees received from colleges are falling out of favor lately. Especially for a country like India, where academic degrees have not meant necessarily, employability, credential recordings need a review. An end of the course examination to test knowledge, which leads to a certificate, is no good if the learner cannot demonstrate the same for the purpose of employment or earning a livelihood. Using badges for each learning block which are peer certified and non-editable, instead can be used to keep a record of all credentials earned during a lifetime. Using the Blockchain technology, such credentials would be more valuable to establish competencies than the current practice of issuing certificates.

On the Job training:

Learning on the job is a critical part of the overall learning process, especially for an apprentice. Currently with over emphasis on classroom training and very little on, on the job training – any new talent struggles when they are made to work in the real work environment. With the new apprehentice act already in place, a greater focus on this is expected soon in India. Blockchain technology could help centralize such humongous data but also validate the process and certification for such learners.

Continuous Professional education:

In this hyper active world today, the need to constantly upgrade is a critical need for professional and personal growth. However, such continuous learning’s are from multiple sources including conferences, formal classroom sessions, mentorship sessions, on the job, peer to peer and many more. Sadly this is difficult to track today and is highly fragmented. How about using Blockchain technology to seamless record this and stack this up in a repository?

Blockchain is showing an exciting promise to change the way we currently do things in education. While there are a few who are willing to experiment, it is probably very early days. Sony Education sometime last year announced a Blockchain project to conduct assessments. Little is known about the current status of the project. While these baby steps are being taken, it is also important to know the concerns about using such a technology for education. Prime amongst those being privacy issues. Also Blockchain is like a ledger. So is learning transactional now? And like financial transactions in a ledger, can this be used for recording learning blocks? The future has already started yesterday, but are we late? Or is the best yet to come? Only time will tell.

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

Blockchain: Is it the Future of Education?​

In recent years, blockchain technology has transcended its initial use in cryptocurrencies and is being explored for a wide array of applications, including education. The immutable and decentralized nature of blockchain offers a promising framework for addressing several challenges in the educational sector, from credential verification to personalized learning. This article delves into the potential of blockchain in education and examines whether it could be the future of this critical field.

What is Blockchain?​

Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that allows data to be stored globally on thousands of servers, with no single point of failure. This system ensures that once data is added to the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted, providing a high level of transparency and security. Originally developed for the digital currency Bitcoin, blockchain's applications have expanded to various industries, including finance, supply chain management, and now, education.

Credential Verification and Transparency​

One of the most significant challenges in education is the verification of academic credentials. Traditional systems often involve manual processes, which can be time-consuming and susceptible to fraud. Blockchain can provide a more efficient and secure solution by creating a tamper-proof record of educational achievements. These records can be accessed and verified by employers, universities, and other stakeholders without the need for intermediaries.

For example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has already begun issuing digital diplomas on the blockchain. This initiative not only reduces the risk of diploma fraud but also allows graduates to share their credentials with potential employers instantly and securely. The transparency and immutability of blockchain ensure that these credentials are genuine and up-to-date, enhancing trust in the educational system.

Personalized Learning and Micro-Credentials​

Education is increasingly moving towards a more personalized and modular approach, where learners can acquire specific skills and knowledge through micro-credentials. Blockchain can support this shift by enabling the creation and management of these micro-credentials. Each micro-credential can be recorded on the blockchain, providing a detailed and verifiable record of a learner's skills and competencies.

This system allows learners to build a comprehensive portfolio of their educational and professional achievements, which can be shared with employers or used to progress to more advanced courses. For instance, a learner could complete a series of blockchain-based micro-credentials in areas such as data analysis, project management, and programming, and present these to potential employers as a demonstration of their expertise.

Secure and Transparent Funding​

Education often relies on funding from various sources, including governments, private institutions, and donors. Blockchain can improve the transparency and efficiency of these funding processes. By using smart contracts, blockchain can automate the distribution of funds based on predefined conditions, reducing the potential for mismanagement and fraud.

For example, a blockchain-based platform could ensure that funds intended for specific educational programs are only released when those programs meet certain performance criteria. This not only increases accountability but also instills greater confidence among donors and stakeholders in the educational system.

Peer-to-Peer Learning and Collaboration​

Blockchain can also facilitate peer-to-peer learning and collaboration. By creating a decentralized platform, learners and educators can connect directly, share resources, and collaborate on projects without the need for traditional intermediaries. This can lead to a more dynamic and inclusive learning environment, where knowledge and skills are exchanged more freely.

For instance, a blockchain-based platform could allow students to form study groups, share notes, and collaborate on assignments, with all interactions recorded on the blockchain. This ensures that contributions are acknowledged and rewarded, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among learners.

Challenges and Considerations​

While the potential benefits of blockchain in education are significant, several challenges must be addressed before it can be widely adopted. These include:

1. Scalability: Blockchain technology must be able to handle the large volume of data and transactions generated by educational institutions.
2. Interoperability: Different educational systems and platforms need to be able to communicate and share data seamlessly.
3. Privacy: While transparency is a key feature of blockchain, it is essential to balance this with the need to protect sensitive student data.
4. Cost: Implementing blockchain technology can be expensive, and educational institutions may need to weigh the costs against the benefits.
5. Regulatory Frameworks: Governments and educational authorities need to develop clear guidelines and regulations for the use of blockchain in education.

Conclusion​

Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the education sector by enhancing credential verification, supporting personalized learning, improving funding transparency, and fostering peer-to-peer collaboration. However, its widespread adoption will depend on addressing the challenges of scalability, interoperability, privacy, cost, and regulatory frameworks. As the technology continues to evolve and mature, it is likely that we will see more innovative applications of blockchain in education, making it a promising tool for shaping the future of learning.

 

[LekshmiGPilllai]

- By Ambarish Datta

MD & CEO of BSE Institute and a member of the Board of Directors for BFSI Sector Skill Council of India

Blockchain – the new kid on the block has been making news for some time now. While there are many who have been skeptic about it, there are a few who have started exploring its use. Block chain – now Blockchain is a distributed database that maintains a continuously growing list of ordered records called blocks. Each block contains a timestamp and a link to a previous block. Blockchain by design are non editable.Bitcoin the new crypto currency is built using the Blockchain framework. Currently Blockchain seems extremely popular for the financial services Industry with multiple type of applications being explored. However, does Blockchain have any application to a completely diverse industry like Education & Skills?

One of key systemic shifts in learning is that it has become decentralized and beyond any boundaries. Diversified across multiple channels, learners now are breaking conventional stereotyped ways to acquiring new knowledge on blocks. No longer is it necessary to visit a college to acquire knowledge or skills. With technology, learners are finding newer ways to do so without any fuss. These alternate ways to learn are now challenging the very existence of universities and colleges across the globe. Also, learners are realizing that smaller chunks of learning, acquired over a period of time works much better than a conventional credential driven certificate from the college. It no longer matters where these knowledge blocks are acquired, as long as the learner can demonstrate successfully the knowledge or skills purposefully. So, can Blockchain be used in education?

Recordkeeping:

One key challenge for the education and skill domain has been the need to keep a reliable repository of academic and workmanship records. There are many examples where prospective employees have overstated academic accomplishments and experiences helping build an entirely new industry for employee verification services. A secure repository of such records, time stamped can be a big help for all stakeholders including students, universities, employers and others.

Badges:

With learning blocks being acquired from multiple platforms (classroom, online, peer to peer, activity led etc), it is time that a newer way to record such learning’s is established. The current format of using “ certificates” only as the way to record needs a review, since all learning’s now necessarily do not lead to a formal certificate. Say a badge for every learning block acquired could be issued. Using Blockchain such badges would be recorded and time – stamped and like a stack of cans be kept in a database. Badges could subsequently be used for up-skilling and used as learning currency for progression.

Credentialing:

Conventional academic degrees received from colleges are falling out of favor lately. Especially for a country like India, where academic degrees have not meant necessarily, employability, credential recordings need a review. An end of the course examination to test knowledge, which leads to a certificate, is no good if the learner cannot demonstrate the same for the purpose of employment or earning a livelihood. Using badges for each learning block which are peer certified and non-editable, instead can be used to keep a record of all credentials earned during a lifetime. Using the Blockchain technology, such credentials would be more valuable to establish competencies than the current practice of issuing certificates.

On the Job training:

Learning on the job is a critical part of the overall learning process, especially for an apprentice. Currently with over emphasis on classroom training and very little on, on the job training – any new talent struggles when they are made to work in the real work environment. With the new apprehentice act already in place, a greater focus on this is expected soon in India. Blockchain technology could help centralize such humongous data but also validate the process and certification for such learners.

Continuous Professional education:

In this hyper active world today, the need to constantly upgrade is a critical need for professional and personal growth. However, such continuous learning’s are from multiple sources including conferences, formal classroom sessions, mentorship sessions, on the job, peer to peer and many more. Sadly this is difficult to track today and is highly fragmented. How about using Blockchain technology to seamless record this and stack this up in a repository?

Blockchain is showing an exciting promise to change the way we currently do things in education. While there are a few who are willing to experiment, it is probably very early days. Sony Education sometime last year announced a Blockchain project to conduct assessments. Little is known about the current status of the project. While these baby steps are being taken, it is also important to know the concerns about using such a technology for education. Prime amongst those being privacy issues. Also Blockchain is like a ledger. So is learning transactional now? And like financial transactions in a ledger, can this be used for recording learning blocks? The future has already started yesterday, but are we late? Or is the best yet to come? Only time will tell.

Thank you, Mr. Datta, for this enlightening exploration of blockchain’s potential in transforming education and skills development. Your detailed analysis highlights how blockchain technology, often associated primarily with financial services, can indeed offer innovative solutions to some of the persistent challenges faced by the education sector.

I particularly appreciate the emphasis on decentralization and the move away from traditional credentialing towards a more flexible, learner-centric model. The idea of breaking knowledge acquisition into smaller “learning blocks” and using blockchain to securely record these as time-stamped badges is compelling. This approach could fundamentally change how learners demonstrate skills and competencies, making lifelong learning more transparent and verifiable across different platforms and geographies.

The problems you identified—such as falsification of academic records and the fragmentation of continuous professional education—are real and widespread. A secure, immutable blockchain ledger that stores verified credentials and training outcomes could greatly enhance trust among learners, educators, and employers alike. This could also democratize access to opportunities by making verified skills portable and recognized regardless of where or how they were acquired.

Your mention of on-the-job training and apprenticeships is also crucial. Integrating experiential learning into this digital ledger system would acknowledge the full spectrum of skills development, beyond formal classroom education.

However, your caution regarding privacy and the transactional nature of recording learning is well-placed. Balancing transparency with individual privacy rights will be critical for any blockchain-based education platform to gain wide acceptance. Furthermore, while blockchain promises permanence and immutability, education should also remain dynamic and adaptable, allowing for revisions, growth, and contextual evaluation.

Sony Education’s initiative is an encouraging sign that organizations are beginning to experiment with these ideas, even if widespread adoption is still nascent. It will be interesting to watch how the education sector addresses the technological, regulatory, and ethical challenges as blockchain applications mature.

In conclusion, blockchain’s promise to revolutionize education lies in its ability to create a trustworthy, decentralized record of learning achievements that empowers learners and employers alike. As you noted, the future may indeed be starting now, and the best is yet to come.

Thank you again for this insightf
ul perspective.

 

[Priyani Gupta]

- By Ambarish Datta

MD & CEO of BSE Institute and a member of the Board of Directors for BFSI Sector Skill Council of India

Blockchain – the new kid on the block has been making news for some time now. While there are many who have been skeptic about it, there are a few who have started exploring its use. Block chain – now Blockchain is a distributed database that maintains a continuously growing list of ordered records called blocks. Each block contains a timestamp and a link to a previous block. Blockchain by design are non editable.Bitcoin the new crypto currency is built using the Blockchain framework. Currently Blockchain seems extremely popular for the financial services Industry with multiple type of applications being explored. However, does Blockchain have any application to a completely diverse industry like Education & Skills?

One of key systemic shifts in learning is that it has become decentralized and beyond any boundaries. Diversified across multiple channels, learners now are breaking conventional stereotyped ways to acquiring new knowledge on blocks. No longer is it necessary to visit a college to acquire knowledge or skills. With technology, learners are finding newer ways to do so without any fuss. These alternate ways to learn are now challenging the very existence of universities and colleges across the globe. Also, learners are realizing that smaller chunks of learning, acquired over a period of time works much better than a conventional credential driven certificate from the college. It no longer matters where these knowledge blocks are acquired, as long as the learner can demonstrate successfully the knowledge or skills purposefully. So, can Blockchain be used in education?

Recordkeeping:

One key challenge for the education and skill domain has been the need to keep a reliable repository of academic and workmanship records. There are many examples where prospective employees have overstated academic accomplishments and experiences helping build an entirely new industry for employee verification services. A secure repository of such records, time stamped can be a big help for all stakeholders including students, universities, employers and others.

Badges:

With learning blocks being acquired from multiple platforms (classroom, online, peer to peer, activity led etc), it is time that a newer way to record such learning’s is established. The current format of using “ certificates” only as the way to record needs a review, since all learning’s now necessarily do not lead to a formal certificate. Say a badge for every learning block acquired could be issued. Using Blockchain such badges would be recorded and time – stamped and like a stack of cans be kept in a database. Badges could subsequently be used for up-skilling and used as learning currency for progression.

Credentialing:

Conventional academic degrees received from colleges are falling out of favor lately. Especially for a country like India, where academic degrees have not meant necessarily, employability, credential recordings need a review. An end of the course examination to test knowledge, which leads to a certificate, is no good if the learner cannot demonstrate the same for the purpose of employment or earning a livelihood. Using badges for each learning block which are peer certified and non-editable, instead can be used to keep a record of all credentials earned during a lifetime. Using the Blockchain technology, such credentials would be more valuable to establish competencies than the current practice of issuing certificates.

On the Job training:

Learning on the job is a critical part of the overall learning process, especially for an apprentice. Currently with over emphasis on classroom training and very little on, on the job training – any new talent struggles when they are made to work in the real work environment. With the new apprehentice act already in place, a greater focus on this is expected soon in India. Blockchain technology could help centralize such humongous data but also validate the process and certification for such learners.

Continuous Professional education:

In this hyper active world today, the need to constantly upgrade is a critical need for professional and personal growth. However, such continuous learning’s are from multiple sources including conferences, formal classroom sessions, mentorship sessions, on the job, peer to peer and many more. Sadly this is difficult to track today and is highly fragmented. How about using Blockchain technology to seamless record this and stack this up in a repository?

Blockchain is showing an exciting promise to change the way we currently do things in education. While there are a few who are willing to experiment, it is probably very early days. Sony Education sometime last year announced a Blockchain project to conduct assessments. Little is known about the current status of the project. While these baby steps are being taken, it is also important to know the concerns about using such a technology for education. Prime amongst those being privacy issues. Also Blockchain is like a ledger. So is learning transactional now? And like financial transactions in a ledger, can this be used for recording learning blocks? The future has already started yesterday, but are we late? Or is the best yet to come? Only time will tell.

Thank you for this insightful and thought-provoking article that navigates the potential of Blockchain in education and skills development. The way you’ve framed Blockchain beyond its financial origins to explore its impact on credentialing, record-keeping, and decentralized learning is truly commendable. It highlights an emerging narrative that many educational institutions and policymakers are still reluctant to acknowledge: the conventional system is becoming increasingly obsolete.


Your points about how learning has transcended the four walls of a classroom are timely and valid. Indeed, knowledge today is acquired through MOOCs, YouTube, apprenticeships, social learning platforms, and mentorships—most of which remain unrecognized by formal academic systems. Blockchain, as you rightly point out, offers a transparent, immutable, and decentralized way to validate these learning blocks, empowering learners to build their “skill identity” independent of institutional affiliations.


However, a practical concern arises in the implementation. While the concept of badges and micro-credentials sounds revolutionary, we must ask: Who verifies these credentials in the absence of a universally accepted authority? If badges are to be stacked like digital Legos in a blockchain, how do we ensure their legitimacy without replicating the very bureaucracy Blockchain seeks to avoid? Without adequate gatekeeping mechanisms, the system might be flooded with “blockchained” learning experiences of questionable merit.


Moreover, your example of using Blockchain to replace traditional certificates should spur serious dialogue. In India, the obsession with degrees persists, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where a certificate from a “recognized” institution still holds significant social currency. Replacing it with a decentralized badge system might be progressive, but it risks alienating those outside the digital-savvy urban core unless coupled with a robust awareness and validation ecosystem.


Your reference to Blockchain being like a ledger also raises an important philosophical question: are we reducing learning to a series of transactions? The danger lies in focusing too much on quantification. Just as social media metrics don’t always reflect real influence, stacked badges may not always indicate deep understanding or applied competence. There’s a thin line between measurable progress and mechanical credentialing.


Privacy is another area that deserves more than a footnote. The idea of storing lifelong learning data, job histories, and upskilling trajectories on a public or semi-public blockchain could raise significant ethical and legal challenges, especially in jurisdictions without strong data protection laws.


Nonetheless, the potential remains undeniable. Blockchain could democratize access to learning verification, especially for gig workers, informal sector professionals, and those from non-traditional education backgrounds. But the system needs inclusive architecture, regulatory support, and digital literacy campaigns to scale equitably.


As you rightly concluded—while the future may have already begun, our preparedness remains questionable. But perhaps that’s the beauty of disruption—it forces us to rethink, recalibrate, and reconstruct the way we perceive learning itself.


Thank you once again for igniting this necessary conversation. Let’s hope the education sector has the courage to not just experiment, but evolve.


#BlockchainInEducation #DigitalCredentials #FutureOfLearning #EdTechInnovation #SkillsRevolution #LearningEcosystem #Microcredentials #EducationReform #EdTechIndia

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Ambarish Datta, MD & CEO of BSE Institute, offers a truly insightful and meticulously argued piece on the transformative power of Blockchain in the education and skills landscape. Datta's expertise, spanning financial markets, education, and skill development, lends immense credibility to his analysis, enabling him to articulate complex technological applications with compelling clarity. This review acknowledges the writer's profound understanding and foresight, identifying blockchain as a foundational technology for the future of learning.

The Evolving Landscape of Learning​

Datta astutely opens by acknowledging the ongoing skepticism around blockchain while immediately pivoting to its practical utility. He acutely observes that learning has become decentralized and borderless, with individuals seeking "knowledge blocks" from myriad sources beyond conventional colleges. This recognition of informal, modular, and continuous learning is a crucial aspect of his analysis. Datta highlights that the demonstrated ability to apply knowledge, rather than merely possessing a certificate, is the new benchmark, setting the perfect premise for blockchain's inherent capabilities to track and verify these diverse learning pathways.

Building Trust Through Immutability: Records and Credentials​

Datta's most impactful contribution lies in his detailed exposition of blockchain's practical applications for enhancing trust and efficiency in education. He directly confronts the long-standing challenge of Recordkeeping, where fraudulent claims about academic accomplishments are rampant. His vision of a secure, timestamped, and immutable repository of academic and workmanship records offers a robust solution, benefiting all stakeholders from students to employers by ensuring reliable verification.

Furthermore, his innovative concept of "Badges" as blockchain-recorded micro-credentials is particularly compelling. These non-editable, time-stamped learning units, acquired from various platforms, represent a paradigm shift from traditional certificates. This leads seamlessly into the discussion on Credentialing, where Datta persuasively argues that peer-certified, blockchain-based badges can provide a far more accurate and valuable measure of competencies, especially in contexts like India where traditional degrees don't always translate to employability.

Empowering Lifelong Skill Development​

Beyond formal academic structures, Datta extends blockchain's utility to crucial areas such as On the Job Training. He judiciously identifies the current disconnect between theoretical classroom learning and practical workplace skills. Blockchain's potential to centralize and validate data for apprenticeships offers a powerful means to formalize and recognize hands-on experience, a critical need in today's evolving job market.

Finally, the article underscores the importance of Continuous Professional Education in a "hyper active world." Datta laments the fragmentation of current lifelong learning efforts and proposes blockchain as a seamless mechanism to track and aggregate these diverse experiences.

In conclusion, Ambarish Datta's exploration is a masterful and timely contribution to the discourse on education technology. His work powerfully illuminates how blockchain can fundamentally transform how we record, validate, and value learning, laying a vital foundation for a more transparent and responsive global education system.