Towards Quality and Inclusive Education for All

  Editorial   Mar 7, 2025  Add to Reading List
Towards Quality and Inclusive Education for All

India's education system has made significant strides in recent years, but it still faces challenges that need urgent attention. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 highlights both promising developments and persistent issues within the country’s educational landscape. While some regions have demonstrated impressive literacy and numeracy gains, others continue to lag behind, underscoring the need for systemic reform. Inspired by international education models, particularly Finland's, India must take decisive steps to enhance foundational education, teacher training, and access to resources.

Key Developments in the Indian Education System

  1. Rising Enrollment and Gender Inclusivity
    • Since 2018, pre-primary enrollment has surged, with the enrollment rate for 3-year-olds climbing from 68.1% to 77.4% by 2024 (ASER 2024).
    • Female enrollment in primary and secondary education has seen a significant rise, with a 38.4% increase from 1.57 crore to 2.18 crore.
    • Dropout rates for 15-16-year-olds decreased from 13.1% in 2018 to 7.9% in 2024, with girls seeing a similar reduction to 8.1%.
  2. Focus on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)
    • The NIPUN Bharat Mission aims to ensure that all children acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills by Class 3 by 2026-27.
    • ASER 2024 shows significant improvement in reading abilities among Class 3 students, from 16.3% in 2022 to 23.4% in 2024.
  3. Multidisciplinary Education and Flexibility
    • The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes flexibility in subject choices, including arts-integrated learning and interdisciplinary education.
    • The introduction of four-year undergraduate degrees, multiple entry-exit options, and the Academic Bank of Credits provides students greater freedom in their academic pursuits.
    • The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 emphasizes critical thinking and competency-based learning.
  4. Expansion of Higher Education Access
    • India has significantly expanded scholarships, reservations, and support systems for marginalized communities.
    • The enrollment of SC/ST students in higher education increased by 44% from 2014 to 2023.
    • Programs like Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) have boosted women’s participation in STEM fields, which now comprises more than 40% of STEM students.
  5. Improved Global Standing for Universities
    • Several Indian institutions, including the IITs, IISc, and AIIMS, are gaining international recognition, with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru ranking 96th globally for computer science.
    • India now has two institutions in the top 50 and seven in the top 100 in the QS Asia Rankings 2025.
  6. Promotion of Private and Foreign Institutions
    • Private universities, like Ashoka University and Shiv Nadar University, are playing a significant role in modernizing curricula and enhancing global competitiveness.
    • The establishment of foreign university campuses in India, such as those by Deakin University and the University of Wollongong in Gujarat’s GIFT city, brings international expertise to Indian students.
  7. Advancing Multilingual Education
    • NEP 2020 encourages education in regional languages, making learning more accessible for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
    • The AICTE has introduced engineering textbooks in 12 Indian languages, while NCERT plans to roll out textbooks in 22 languages.
  8. Teacher Training and Professional Development
    • India has launched programs like PM eVidya and ARPIT to improve digital pedagogy and upskill teachers.
    • The DIKSHA platform now reaches over 2 crore educators, providing digital training courses across disciplines.

Key Challenges in India’s Education System

  1. High Dropout Rates in Secondary and Higher Education
    • While primary school enrollment is nearly universal, dropout rates increase significantly in secondary education, especially among girls and socio-economically disadvantaged groups.
    • Factors such as financial constraints, early marriages, and cultural biases contribute to this issue. The dropout rate for 15-16-year-olds remains at 7.9%, with girls dropping out at a slightly higher rate of 8.1%.
  2. Teacher Shortages and Quality Gaps
    • A severe shortage of trained teachers continues to affect the quality of education. Around 10 lakh teaching positions are vacant across government schools.
    • Issues like teacher absenteeism, outdated teaching methods, and excessive non-teaching duties undermine the effectiveness of the education system.
  3. Inequities in Access to Quality Education
    • There is a significant divide between urban and rural education, with rural schools facing shortages in infrastructure, digital resources, and qualified teachers.
    • The preference for private schools is evident, as ASER 2024 shows a decrease in government school enrollment from 72.9% in 2022 to 66.8% in 2024.
  4. Rote Learning and Exam-Centric Education
    • The education system remains focused on rote memorization and high-stakes exams, leaving little room for critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills development.
    • The NCF 2023 seeks to reform this by promoting competency-based education, but implementation is still slow.
  5. Digital Divide and Infrastructure Gaps
    • Although digital learning has expanded, rural areas continue to face a lack of access to devices and high-speed internet, contributing to an urban-rural divide in digital literacy and education.
    • ASER 2024 reports that while 90% of 14-16-year-olds have access to smartphones, only 57% use them for educational purposes.
  6. Mismatch Between Education and Employability
    • Despite increased enrollment in higher education, many graduates remain unemployable due to a lack of industry-aligned skills. The curriculum often fails to match workforce needs, resulting in a skills gap.
  7. Insufficient Investment in Research and Development
    • India spends only 0.64% of its GDP on R&D, well below global leaders like South Korea (5.3%) and China (2.4%). The lack of collaboration between universities and industries limits innovation and the generation of patents.

Measures to Strengthen India’s Education System

  1. Promoting Vocational and Skill-Based Education
    • The education system must place greater emphasis on skill development, introducing vocational training from Class 6 to bridge the skills gap.
    • Collaboration with industries can provide internships and real-world exposure, while a national credit framework should allow easy transitions between academic and vocational paths.
  2. Improving Teacher Training and Pedagogy
    • Teachers need continuous professional development, with greater autonomy to design effective teaching methods.
    • Blended learning, combining digital tools and traditional methods, should be mandatory in all schools, and mentorship programs can guide younger educators.
  3. Reducing Rote Learning and Reforms in Assessments
    • A shift from rote learning to conceptual understanding is necessary. Board exams and entrance tests should prioritize application-based questions.
    • Introducing modular assessments and encouraging open-book exams can reduce stress and promote real-world learning.
  4. Expanding Digital Infrastructure
    • The government must speed up projects like BharatNet to ensure high-speed internet reaches rural areas.
    • Schools should be equipped with smart classrooms, digital libraries, and AI-driven adaptive learning platforms for personalized education.
  5. Enhancing Global Competitiveness in Higher Education
    • Expanding flexible degree programs and promoting Academic Bank of Credits will provide students with greater academic mobility.
    • Encouraging foreign universities to set up campuses in India and offering more scholarships can improve the global exposure of Indian students.
  6. Increasing Public Investment in Education
    • The government must increase its education spending to at least 6% of GDP, as recommended by NEP 2020, to ensure sustainable improvement.
    • More funding should be directed toward underprivileged students through scholarships, loans, and community-driven programs.
  7. Fostering Gender Equality in Education
    • Scholarships for women, especially in STEM fields, should be expanded, and gender-sensitive curricula should be introduced in schools.
    • Improving hostel facilities and transportation for girls, along with menstrual hygiene programs, can further increase female participation in education.

Lessons from Global Education Systems

  1. South Korea
    • Prioritize strong foundational education with substantial investment in teachers. 5.3% of GDP is spent on education to maintain high standards.
  2. Finland
    • Delay school entry until age 7, minimize homework and standardized testing, and ensure accessible higher education. This model promotes creativity and reduces stress.
  3. Switzerland
    • Offer multilingual education and emphasize experiential learning, including apprenticeships after elementary school, making education flexible and inclusive.
  4. The Netherlands
    • Focus on mental well-being, minimize homework, and foster hands-on learning to develop holistic students.

Key Takeaways
India’s education system stands at a crossroads. While significant strides have been made, challenges remain that require a multi-pronged approach. By focusing on skill-based learning, improving teacher training, and addressing regional disparities, India can create a more inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive education system. Policy reforms that prioritize access, quality, and practicality will unlock the potential of India’s future generations, driving the country toward sustainable growth and prosperity.