Education

Education

Constitutional Provisions

• The 86th Amendment Act, 2002 added the Right to Education as a fundamental right under Article 21 A, changed the subject matter of Article 45, and added a Fundamental duty under article 51 A. 
• Article 21 A: The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years.
• Article 45: Provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.
• Article 51 A: Every parent or guardian to ensure that their child or ward was provided opportunities for education between the ages of six and fourteen years

Facts

• The literacy rate ( as per the 2011 census) is at 74.04 %; 82.14% for males and 65.46% for females. Kerala has the highest literacy rate of 93.91% and Bihar (63.82 %) ranks last.
• The National Statistical Commission – literacy 77.7% in 2017–18, 84.7% for male and 70.3% for female.
• The 42nd Amendment to the constitution in 1976 made education a ‘concurrent subject’.
• Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education has increased steadily over the past decade, reaching a (GER) of 26.3% in 2019.
• The pupil to teacher ratio within the public school system for primary education is 35:1.
• India spends only 4% of the GDP on education, less than some developing countries. For example, South Africa’s expenditure on education is 6.1% of its GDP.

Challenges of India’s Education Sector

• Access and Equity:
  • Unequal Access: Educational opportunities are not evenly distributed. Rural areas often lack quality schools and infrastructure compared to urban areas. Disadvantaged groups, like girls and children from lower socio-economic backgrounds, may face barriers to accessing education.
  • Large Class Sizes: Overcrowded classrooms can limit teacher-student interaction and hinder personalized learning.
• Quality and Relevance:
  • Outdated Curriculum: The curriculum may not be aligned with current industry needs or equip students with the necessary 21st-century skills like critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Rote Learning Focus: Traditional methods often emphasize memorization over critical thinking and practical application of knowledge.
  • Teacher Training and Motivation: Teacher training might not adequately prepare them for effective pedagogy or keep pace with evolving curriculum requirements. Low teacher motivation and compensation can impact their effectiveness.
• Infrastructure and Resources:
  • Lack of Infrastructure: Schools, especially in rural areas, may lack proper buildings, sanitation facilities, libraries, and technology resources.
  • Learning Material Shortage: Textbooks and other learning materials may be limited or outdated, hindering effective learning.
• Other Challenges:
  • High Dropout Rates: Students, particularly girls, may drop out due to financial constraints, social pressures, or lack of academic support.
  • Vocational Skill Gap: The education system might not adequately prepare students for vocational opportunities or higher education.
  • Limited Funding: Inadequate government funding for education can restrict resources and limit improvements.

Government Schemes

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: Aimed at the universalisation of primary education in a time-bound manner
• Mid-Day Meal: To enhance the enrolment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improve nutritional levels among school-going children studying in Classes I to VIII.
• NIPUN Bharat
• Atal Innovation Mission:  To create and promote an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country at schools, universities, research institutions, MSME, and industry levels
• SWAYAM Programme: Under this programme, Professors of centrally funded institutions like IITs, IIMs, Centrally universities will offer online courses to citizens of our country.