essay on indian education system upsc

Education Sector in India

Sub-Categories:

Social Justice

Table of Contents

• What are the constitutional provisions on education in India
• What are the departments under the Ministry of Education
• What are the general features of the educational landscape in India
• What are the challenges and issues pertaining to the Indian education system
• What measures could help towards a better education ecosystem in India

Prelims: Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc.

Mains: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What are the constitutional provisions on education in India?

What are the departments under the ministry of education.

What are the general features of the educational landscape in India?

• Multi-level structure: The Indian education system consists of different levels, such as primary, secondary, and higher education . Generally, central and state boards follow the “ 10+2 ” education system pattern in school education. 
• Heterogeneous Education System : The education system within the country is of heterogeneous nature. The main factors that lead to the heterogeneous nature of the education system are based on geographical locations, caste, race and ethnic origins of the individuals, rural and urban establishments, and differences in the backgrounds of the individuals.
• Public and private institutions: Central and state governments share the legal responsibility for funding and management of education. India also has a large private school system complementing the government run schools. The government and private schools managed in the ratio 73:27 at the age 1 to 8.
• Examination-oriented: The Indian education system places a strong emphasis on exams and standardized testing , with exams such as the CBSE , ICSE, and various state board exams determining student performance and progression.
• Focus on rote learning : Carrying forward the Macaulayan legacy, the Indian education system still tends to focus on rote learning, with less emphasis on critical thinking and practical skills, a system criticized by education experts for not promoting creativity and innovation.
• Socio-economic and Gender bias: The Indian education system is influenced by socio-economic and gender biases, with disadvantaged communities, such as those from low-income and rural backgrounds, having limited access to quality education. The 2011 Census showed a gender gap in literacy rates , with only 60.41% of females being literate compared to 76.66% of males.

What are the challenges and issues pertaining to the Indian education system?

The emerging issues in the Indian education system have been stated as follows:

• Lack of resources: By far, one of the most pressing problems is the unavailability of money or inadequate funding of Indian Education programs or systems. According to the Economic Survey 2022-23 , The budgetary allocation for education as a percentage of total expenditure has dropped over the past seven years, from 10.4% to 9.5%.
• Teaching attribute : In most educational institutions, the quality of teaching is not in a very developed state. The main factors that lead to the deprived teaching methods are shortage of teachers , the curriculum, instructional methods, and the teaching-learning methods .
• Traditional teaching methods : In educational institutions, traditional methods of teaching are adopted, and teachers do not make use of technology or audio-visual aids in teaching, particularly in nursery schools. 
• Privatization : More than  50% of the education in India is imparted through private institutions, primarily unassisted . Private providers, in the interest of maximizing profit, have every motivation to minimize costs by compromising the quality of education.  
• Inadequate facilities and infrastructure : Educational institutions and training centers in India do not have adequate facilities and infrastructure. 

What measures could help towards a better education ecosystem in India?

• Incentives to teachers and researchers : Offering incentives to teachers and researchers is crucial for attracting and retaining talented individuals in these professions, which in turn can enhance the quality of education in India.
• Innovative practices : The emergence of new and modern technologies provides opportunities for enhanced delivery of services, improved learning, curriculum and instruction, and socio-cultural advancements. 
• Mobilization of resources and finances : There is a need for increasing government funding, encouraging private investment, and promoting public-private partnerships to ensure adequate resources for education, teacher training, and infrastructure development. 
• Better infrastructure: Improving infrastructure is crucial for a better education ecosystem in India. This means building/upgrading school and college buildings, providing basic amenities, modern technology, and laboratory equipment. 
• Student-centered education and dynamic methods : Methods of education have to focus upon four learning areas- learning to learn, learning to do, learning to be, and learning to become.
• Decentralization: Decentralizing education to local authorities ensures accountability and improves daily functioning. This also includes transferring control of funds to the local level.
• International cooperation : International cooperation can be a valuable measure to improve education in India by facilitating knowledge sharing, providing financial and technical support, and promoting collaboration between Indian institutions and global counterparts.
• Shift from output-based to outcome-based objectives: Shifting to outcome-based objectives in India's education system can lead to more holistic learning by prioritizing skill development , critical thinking, and problem-solving. 

Previous Year Questions

Q) National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement.( 2020 )

Q) The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss. (2015)

Q) Should the premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, allowed more academic independence in designing courses and also decide mode/criteria of selection of students. Discuss in light of the growing challenges. (2014)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) when was education moved from the state list to the concurrent list.

Education was shifted from the State list to the Concurrent list via the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution.

Q) What is meant by the ‘universalization of education’?

Universalization of education refers to the goal of ensuring that every person has access to education and that education is equitable and inclusive regardless of factors like gender, race, socio-economic status, and geographic location.

Q) Is the ‘Right to Education’ a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution?

Yes, the Right to Education (RTE) is a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution. RTE was added as a fundamental right through the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act 2002. Article 21A was added to the Constitution, which states that "The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such manner as the State may, by law, determine."

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