The real push education in India needs
What is the defining purpose of education? Is it to make more people literate, create economic resources for a country, skill its population, reduce unemployment, or more? Mahatma Gandhi once said, 'Literacy in itself is no education…By education I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man-body, mind and spirit.' In that vein, education can be viewed as necessary to create thoughtful citizens with the skills to navigate an ever-changing world, who can engage and negotiate with the instruments of democratic rule and create a more inclusive, sustainable future.
Today, the world is made increasingly uncertain by conflicts, climate change, and the unfettered growth of artificial intelligence. In these circumstances, education systems need to produce aware, young people with the skills necessary to solve the problems they are likely to face. Mechanical knowledge of subjects is no longer prized; it is the ability to put that knowledge to use that is viewed as important. The twin responsibilities of education systems, therefore, are to prepare young people for life and its challenges, and to ensure each young person learns effectively by providing them the opportunity to do so at their own pace.
Given this, where do we stand today? From a policy perspective, setting aside for a moment the political discussions under way in different parts of the country, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provides a reasonable framework for progress—one that would help achieve the very goals mentioned. However, policy documents are one thing and practical implementation quite another—and it is in the latter that progress has been uneven, or we have often been found wanting.
First, let's look at the foundation. The latest Annual Status of Education Report notes an uptick in reading and mathematical abilities among schoolchildren after the government's emphasis on early learning. However, that uptick starts from a low base; with only 25-45 percent of children across grades able to read or do simple maths, we are still far from where we need to be. The Unified District Information System for Education report for 2023-24 shows that only 54 percent of all schools have access to the internet while only 50 percent have functional computers for students.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Junior teachers demand regularisation of jobs
Bhubaneswar: Thousands of contractual/schematic junior teachers from various govt-run and govt-aided schools sat on a dharna near the state legislative assembly on Friday, demanding the regularisation of their jobs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The junior teachers, under the aegis of the Odisha Junior Teachers (Schematic) Association, first conducted a protest rally from Master Canteen to Lower PMG before sitting on a dharna in front of the assembly. The association's convenor, Shesadev Yajnakam Deo, said the state govt has already abolished the contractual system in govt jobs, yet more than 13,000 junior teachers continue to work on a contractual basis for the first six years of their employment. "We are now called junior teachers (schematic) instead of junior teachers (contractual). But only a word has been changed. We are currently receiving Rs 16,100 per month as remuneration. In case of death during the first six months, our families do not get any benefits from the govt. The first six years of our service will not be counted for career progression because our job becomes regular after six years of service. This system should be abolished," he added. He said that though the BJP-led state govt increased their monthly salary from Rs 11,100 to Rs 16,100, it is yet to abolish the contractual system. "The govt should recruit the schematic teachers as regular teachers from the day of their appointment," Deo added. School and mass education minister Nityananda Gond said the govt is aware of their demand and will take steps at the appropriate time. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He appealed to the teachers to refrain from taking to the streets. "Our govt has hiked the salary of junior teachers. It shows that the govt is concerned about them. We will take steps after reviewing the situation," he added. Gond urged the junior teachers not to worry and said they should continue their work. Deo further said, "The govt is opening Sishu Vatikas in primary schools to teach children before they enrol in Class I. But infrastructure and manpower in the schools is not sufficient for starting the Sishu Vatikas. If the govt does not appoint teachers for the Sishu Vatikas, it will be an extra burden for us. We urge the govt to appoint teachers for this new initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP)."
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
'Historic steps taken to make youth self-reliant and capable': Uttarakhand CM Dhami applauds PM Modi on 11 years of NDA
on Friday applauded prime minister on the completion of 11 years of the NDA government and stated that steps had been taken to make the youth self-reliant and capable. In a post on social media X, the CM wrote that several youth employment schemes had helped people become job creators and brought the country to the global stage under the leadership of the PM. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "In the last 11 years, under the leadership of the respected prime minister Shri@narendramodiji, historic steps have been taken to make the youth self-reliant and capable. Schemes like Startup India, , Skill India, National Education Policy and have not only provided employment opportunities to the youth but have also moved them forward in the direction of becoming job creators. Today, the youth of India is making its mark not only in the country but also on the global stage, so the credit for this goes to the visionary thinking of the Honourable prime minister," Dhami wrote in a post. Further, he wrote that the Uttarakhand government had helped the youth become self-reliant by recruiting them under several schemes and government jobs. "Following the footsteps of the Central Government, our government has done unprecedented work towards youth welfare. Record number of recruitments in government jobs and various schemes like Mukhyamantri Swarojgar Yojana, Mukhyamantri Medhavi Chhatra Protsahan Scholarship Scheme have paved the way for the youth of the state to become self-reliant," the post further read. Earlier in the day, the PM, highlighting the continuous efforts of his government to empower youth, said that it was a matter of "great" happiness that the youth were playing a leading role in nation-building. In a post on X, the prime minister said that with the new education policy and focus on skill development and start-ups, the youth of the country have become important partners in the resolution of 'Developed India'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "In the last 11 years, our government has made continuous efforts to empower the youth. With the new education policy and focus on skill development and start-ups, our youth have become important partners in the resolution of 'Developed India'. It is a matter of great happiness for us that today the youth of the country is playing a leading role in nation building," 's post on X read. The year 2025 marks 11 years of prime minister Narendra Modi's government. The centre, on this occasion, released an ebook highlighting its achievements over the last 11 years.
India Gazette
10 hours ago
- India Gazette
"Historic steps taken to make youth self-reliant and capable": Uttarakhand CM Dhami applauds PM Modi on 11 years of NDA
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the completion of 11 years of the NDA government and stated that steps had been taken to make the youth self-reliant and capable. In a post on social media X, the CM wrote that several youth employment schemes had helped people become job creators and brought the country to the global stage under the leadership of the PM. 'In the last 11 years, under the leadership of the respected Prime Minister Shri@narendramodiji, historic steps have been taken to make the youth self-reliant and capable. Schemes like Startup India, Digital India, Skill India, National Education Policy and Make in India have not only provided employment opportunities to the youth but have also moved them forward in the direction of becoming job creators. Today, the youth of India is making its mark not only in the country but also on the global stage, so the credit for this goes to the visionary thinking of the Honourable Prime Minister,' Dhami wrote in a post. Further, he wrote that the Uttarakhand government had helped the youth become self-reliant by recruiting them under several schemes and government jobs. 'Following the footsteps of the Central Government, our government has done unprecedented work towards youth welfare. Record number of recruitments in government jobs and various schemes like Mukhyamantri Swarojgar Yojana, Mukhyamantri Medhavi Chhatra Protsahan Scholarship Scheme have paved the way for the youth of the state to become self-reliant,' the post further read. Earlier in the day, the PM, highlighting the continuous efforts of his government to empower youth, said that it was a matter of 'great' happiness that the youth were playing a leading role in nation-building. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said that with the new education policy and focus on skill development and start-ups, the youth of the country have become important partners in the resolution of 'Developed India'. 'In the last 11 years, our government has made continuous efforts to empower the youth. With the new education policy and focus on skill development and start-ups, our youth have become important partners in the resolution of 'Developed India'. It is a matter of great happiness for us that today the youth of the country is playing a leading role in nation building,' PM Modi's post on X read. The year 2025 marks 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. The centre, on this occasion, released an ebook highlighting its achievements over the last 11 years. (ANI)
