I still remember the fear I faced on the result day at school during my childhood days. I guess every child faces that. The fear would worsen if I knew I had failed a subject. I did not fear failing. I feared the look on my parents' faces. The shame that they would feel because of me.

Years later, as we read a newspaper or watch the new channels, the news about a child who hung himself because he could not bear the pressure of exams, a girl who ran away because she was not allowed to complete her education, and a youth who jumped to his death as he could not get a job despite the degrees, do make headlines.

Have we asked ourselves why we make education a pressure instead of enjoying it? Why do children fear the books that are to be loved? Why feel shame when learning makes us proud? When did education become so mean-minded that our children no longer love it?

Education is a principal tool to accomplish dreams. It is a means to self-confidence and to achieve what one wants. Learning polishes our lives. Educated people are the predominant resource in every field. Decision-making power comes with education. Education makes you move ahead in your life. It gives you a chance to be known as a learned being.

Let us take a look at the journey of Indian education.

History

There were no schools in ancient India. I am not saying that there was no education. There was an education system, albeit not like the one we have today. No schools were there, but there were teachers. No books were used, but there were words and lessons. No benches and blackboards to sit and write on, but there were trees to sit under and learn.

The lessons were in the form of teachings and words from the teachers that remained with the student throughout his life. There was ‘The Gurukul System’ where the kings and princes would stay with the guru and study. The guru or teacher was considered a parent, and the student would stay with him and his family to learn all that he could. We read this in our great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The teacher imparted education on scriptures, languages, the art of war, and a way of life. The teachings imparted followed the Vedas and the Upanishads.

Apart from the Gurukuls, education was imparted at homes and temples. There are several ancient universities like Takshashila and Nalanda universities.

The Role of British Rule

The British government was mainly concerned with its interests during its rule in India. There was a demand for clerks and other administrative roles to help the East India Company’s functioning in India. Educating people here was cheaper than getting educated clerks from England. The British spread Western education among Indians, but the literacy rate was low. The British neglected women's education because they did not want to upset the orthodox mindset of Indians.

Some positive changes took place during the British period. The British rule worked on important issues to resolve questions. Here is a list of those positive changes that can be attributed to the British Rule in the Indian education system.

• Warren Hastings established the Calcutta Madrassa in 1781.
• In 1791, Jonathan Duncan started Sanskrit College in Varanasi.
• The Baptist missionary William Carey came to India in 1793, and by 1800, there was a Baptist Mission in Serampore, Bengal, and several primary schools.
• The Charter Act of 1813 was the first step towards education as an objective of the government.
• In 1835, the Elphinstone College (Bombay) and the Calcutta Medical College were established.
• The universities of Madras, Calcutta and Bombay were set up by 1857.
• The University of Punjab was set up in 1882, and the University of Allahabad in 1887.

Education After Independence

The education system developed massively after independence. The government took many initiatives to promote education. It appointed the Education Commission under the Chairmanship of Daulat Singh Kothari to discuss and advise about the education policies from 1964 to 1966. The report presented by the commission was known as the Kothari Commission. The commission supported education that promoted values, national integration, along spiritual growth.

There were some important points presented by the commission.

• Work experience should be an integral part of education.
• Recommendation of the common school system for an integrated society.
• General education for ten years, higher education for two years, and education for a degree course to be three years.
• The ten years of general education are divided into four years, three years and three years.
• The first four years are for lower primary education, the next three years are for higher primary education, and the last three years are for lower secondary education.

This structure of education is known as the 10+2+3 education system, which was followed in the Indian education system and continues to be followed.

The Government of India formed the National Policy on Education to improve the quality of education provided to all citizens. It was formulated in the year 1968. The NPE mainly worked on the improvement of education policies and was based on the Kothari Commission. The NPE promoted free and compulsory education up to the age of 14. The 10+2+3 pattern from higher secondary to college level was to be uniform throughout the country. The progress of education in the country was to be based on the evaluation. The National Policy on Education was revised in 1986 and 1992 by the government. After 34 years, the Union cabinet approved the New Education Policy in July 2020.

The Educated Unemployment

Every person today wants to get employed. Every step taken is towards improving the standard of living in society and this means education and employment. We need to remember that one depends on the other. Employment depends on the education provided. India is a country of youth. The connection between youth and employment is crucial. The youth has the potential to work and take a country forward. The improvement of the quality of education is important for the youth to get better job opportunities.

The term educated unemployment clearly states that a person is educated but unemployed. Educated unemployment is due to a mismatch between the aspirations of young graduates and the employment opportunities available. On one hand, we see that people are ready to borrow and spend on education and send their children to schools, whereas on the other hand, they also see that education is not helping the students to find a suitable job and employment.

The high rate of unemployment among the educated is due to the lack of sufficient jobs and poor schooling. The quality of education offered is mediocre in most colleges. This makes large numbers of graduates unsuitable for employment.

Vocational Education

Vocational education is related to the apprenticeship system of learning, where the pupil would directly work under the guidance of a mentor and learn the skill. Vocational education prepares students for skills in trades, crafts, and careers at various levels. It involves practical activities. Vocational education consists of practical courses through which one gains skills and experience directly linked to a career in future career. It helps students to be skilled.

This offers them better employment opportunities in the future. People still hesitate to understand the need for vocational education. We need to take practical education ahead to save the youth who have degrees but no employment. Children should be made aware of vocational education and its importance. Students should be given a chance to select their path and life. Students must have exposure to important vocational crafts, such as carpentry, electric work, metalwork, gardening, and pottery-making. Internship opportunities to be made available under experts like carpenters, gardeners, and potters

Women and Education

Women have always struggled to get their rights, whether in a marriage, the right to property, the right to vote or even education. As the saying goes, if the women of the house get an education, the entire family is educated. Education for women ensures better health and reduces poverty. As we know, this was not the case in India. Girls and women were stopped from getting a good education. It was not considered good for a woman to attend school. They were only considered good for household duties and taking care of the family.

Women’s right to education was never considered important due to India’s patriarchal and religious beliefs. A girl was considered to be a liability by her family, whereas a son was always an asset.

One of the pioneers of the women's education movement in India was Savitribai Phule. She started the first-ever school for girls in India in 1848 in Pune. Today women have become aware of their rights to education and work. The government of India has undertaken initiatives to support and encourage women's literacy programs like,

• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme
• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
• PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme
• CBSE Udaan Scholarship Program

Inclusive Education

Not many are familiar with the term Inclusive education. An inclusive classroom means education that includes everyone. Where the normal and the special needs students learn together in the same school and the same classroom. We must not have a policy of segregation that separates the able and the special needs students.

This is good practice. The question here, are we prepared for this? Are the teachers ready and equipped for this? Will the teachers be able to teach the students as per their requirements instead of separating them? The questions are many, and the resources at hand are too scarce.

The Persons with Disabilities (PWD) ACT of 1995 started a new revolution in India. The major emphasis of this law was the inclusion and admission of disabled students into regular schools. Even after the law passed, there was confusion about the definition of Inclusive education and how this was to be implemented. The parents were not assured that their children with special needs or differently abled children would be properly educated in regular schools.

Teachers need to be more sensitive towards the needs, styles of learning, methods and requirements in motivating students. The teaching methods used by the teachers must not be traditional as they are used in classes, but now the method must be integrative, flexible and interdisciplinary. The focus now shifts to learning rather than teaching. The traditional method where the teacher stood in front of the class and lectured to the students has now changed. The learning in inclusive classes should be experimental and activity-based.

E-Learning

Gone are the days when we had to sit in a library to search for some information relating to a project in school or college. The Internet has just made that faster. The evolution of the internet and its easy availability to students has made education very easy for students as well as the teachers.

Today schools, colleges, and universities have their websites. This help the students to search and get registered easily. The forms and courses offered can be quickly searched and admissions can be taken online.

E-learning has not only helped the process of learning but also opened new areas of online training and schooling to all. Students, adult and children can now complete their education from the comfort of their homes and offices. Working professionals are now seen completing their education. This has not only offered education but also employment opportunities to all.

Globalization in education has impacted the sector in India in many ways. It helps in preparing people today to face the highly competitive world. Globalization has resulted in the privatization of institutes, Foreign direct investment, setting up institutes in other countries, and providing faculty and student exchange across many countries.

The changes in school systems across the world have changed the ideas, values, and knowledge of students as well as teachers. The education ecosystem has changed from an industrialized society to an information-based society.

It is seen that now global universities are pursuing students to join them. Countries are trying to attract foreign students for admission. The universities are trying to spread their reach beyond geographical and political boundaries.

The basic aim of education is to enable the students to know and develop their potential. Globalization on the other hand, puts education in a position to create global citizens who are competitive and winners in every field.

Our Contribution

As citizens of India, we can contribute to the education system to make it better. There are ways that we can help to improve the education system, help those in need of education, and support the system with our little contribution.

• Donate: We can undertake an initiative to donate supplies and stationery to local schools. Some students need supplies like books, textbooks, pens, pencils, and colours. We can either collect old supplies or buy new ones.
• Teach: We can consider teaching in a class where no teacher is available. Teach poor kids to read and write. Join an NGO that works to educate poor kids. Give your time and be present. It makes a difference when you interact with the kids.
• Coach: It may not be possible to be present during school hours to teach the kids, but you can coach them on the field. Coach them in sports. Guide them in any professional activity like creative writing, crafting, baking, repairing, and cooking. This helps the kids to take up an activity that may help them improve their vocational skills.
• Collect: We can collect donations from organizations and use them for the education of underprivileged kids in our areas. This way we help the kids and the business organizations to come together for education.
• Spread: We can spread the word on our social media platforms about the children, NGOs, schools, donation requirements, and opportunities in the field of education. Social media messages reach people quickly.

Conclusion

India has been a land of knowledge since ancient times. Knowledge from the Upanishads and the Vedas was taught to everyone by great teachers like Aryabhata, Panini, and Patanjali. They have always been a part of India’s education system.

Every system keeps growing and improving as change is the nature of life. The education system has also changed through ancient times. We as citizens need to make sure that we help people, parents, and students among us to know the importance of education.

Let us be the light that guides the new generation to the right path. Let every child, every adult, every woman, every differently abled person, and every skilled person get the education they need.

Let us see the change! Let us bring the change! Let us be the change!

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