Bridging Digital Divides in Education 5.0: Advancing Equity, Accessibility, and Twenty First Century Skills Development

To explore the relationship between Education 5.0 and digital literacy, focusing on how ICT integration enhances teaching effectiveness while addressing challenges like infrastructure gaps, digital inequity, and professional readiness. A survey of 71 teachers and teacher trainees in India examined their use of technology, challenges faced, and strategies adopted. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed key insights into the use of teaching devices, digital collaboration tools, and multimedia for student engagement. Findings highlight the need for targeted professional development to address gender disparities, improve ICT skills, and overcome structural barriers, ensuring equity and accessibility in Education 5.0 and empowering educators and learners for a digitally driven future.