Education in India: Where does the loop hole lie?

The modern system in India traces back its roots to the period of 500 BC to 400 BC. The important learning centers were ‘Taxila’ and ‘Nalanda’. These institutions systematically inculcated practical knowledge amongst the students and ensured that they passed not just the exams, but are also ready to the face actual problems in life. If we go back before this time, the Brahmin guru used to teach the students without charging a single penny. The kings and elite people were sent to Gurukuls to attain knowledge and for their whole education. This was the time way before British invaded our country.

The British who came to our country, were no doubt impressed by the education practices but at the same time knew that it needed to be modified. The British seemed ahead of the times to the Indians, and henceforth did not find it difficult job to accommodate the changes.

The quality of education was affected as the main motive of the British was to produce people who could speak English as fluent as them, for the official purposes and replicate the other things. As a result, they never compromised on the budget too and the input of money in the era was more than sufficient. After India got independence, the education pattern was again modified that originated from the recommendation of the Education Commission of 1964-66.

The national education budget from the year 2005-2012 was Rs. 99057 crore. If thought about it twice, the money is plenty enough to bring and accommodate all the required reforms. The government has started with various plans- The Mid Day meal, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan etc. Many political parties always crib about the lacking funds in the area. But in reality, the quality of education in our country is now under line of questions and has gone to pots because of the misuse of the allocated funds. From time to time there are reports of the mismanagement and problems in the usage of the funds being provided to the schools being run by the government.

Just an increase in the budget won’t eradicate the basis of all these problems- corruption prevailing in the system. For any vacant post of a teacher in school to be filled, the scams being brought up by the media, to the misuse of money in various schemes, shows it all.

If money could buy quality, our country would be at par in education sector with various other countries of the world. Not much time back, a worldwide survey on the status of education system in India revealed of a huge decline in quality of the same. The Annual Status of Education Report (Rural) 2012, prepared by the union HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju has led serious questions on whether Right to Education Act has in any way led to improvement in India’s literacy. The plight of the students is such that children in the 5^th standard cannot solve basic Maths questions. Not just the logical ability, the report also signifies and highlights the degrading condition in the reading capabilities of children.

One more thing that catches our eye is that despite the fact that government claims of doing every possible help to improve the quality of education in India, still parents prefer to send their children to private schools rather than the public ones. The govt. and Mr. Raju is worried with the current statics. Acc. To him “We have been spending a lot of money on improving the reach of schools. All these are interventions. We need to focus on improving standards in govt. schools.

So, now the time is come, to sit back and investigate the situation. To figure out where actually the loop hole lies. 

Sanyukta Sharma
Upcoming Author- 'The Lost Letter'