The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As per the ASER, The Annual State of Education Report by Pratham in 2018, education in India has improved after the implementation of Right To Education Act 2009, but there are still major bumps that are hampering the learning of children and thus, affecting their bright future. Let’s get a glimpse of our education system in this article:
Current State:
As per the World Bank, our Government spends 3.8% of the GDP on education which should be increased to 6% by 2022. There is a sharp increase in the Teacher Absenteeism record. Though, RTE has increased the proportion of children enrollment in the Government Schools but they are suffering from the poor quality of education. Infact, the Mid-day meal scheme was almost successful in retaining children in the school until the quality of the food started suffering and again we started losing children from schools.
Interesting Facts:
- Substantial improvements were noted in the school facilities over the eight years period between 2010 to 2018 after the RTE Act.
- Usable girls’ toilets doubled.
- Schools with boundary walls increased to 66.4% in 2018.
- Percentage of schools with kitchen sheds increased to 91%.
- Proportion of schools with books other than the textbooks increased to 74.2%.
- When it comes to Basic Arithmetic, it has been noted that 50% of boys between the age group of 14 to 16 years can solve division problems better compared to 44% of all girls.
Scope for Improvements:
After the evaluation of the ASER findings in 2018, it is recommended to draft National Education Policy which will include the following:
- We should extend the scope of The Right to Education Act, 2009 and include both early childhood education and secondary school education.
- Ed. Programme for the teacher to be replaced by integrated B.Ed. Programme which will include high quality content, pedagogy along with the practical training.
- Government should establish A National Research Foundation for funding, mentoring and building quality research in the field of education.
- It is high time now that we create, National Educational Commision headed directly by the Prime Minister.
References:
https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/upsc-notes-pdf/
https://pixabay.com/photos/education-student-boy-classroom-3670453/
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Prerna 🙂
