Strengths of the Indian Education System

Strengths of the Indian Education System

Britain had established many systems in India, including the education system. However, the present day education system in India has somewhat defined itself, by understanding its shortcomings and using these as action points to constantly strive to increase the rate of literacy and the development of higher education in the country. Over the past few years, several steps have been taken by the Indian government in various forms to keep the educational status high. It is only becoming better, because of the herculean efforts put forward by the Government of India. 

Establishment of the University Grants Commission (UGC) is a statutory body set up for the stimulation and promotion of education in accordance with the UGC Act in 1956. It is a key factor in Indian Educational System. UGC provides recognition to the universities in the country, ensures maintenance of standards and hence enables higher education in India to get world-class recognition.

Here is a compilation of 10 important strengths of the Indian education system. This is by no means an exhaustive list, there are other important factors which contribute to the strengths of the education system in India.

1.   Free Elementary Education

Due to the poor economic stability of some families in India, many parents cannot afford education for their children. The problem was identified some years ago by the Indian Government and resulted in making elementary education for the children from the age four to fourteen compulsory and free of cost. The strategy of the one-time meal is also provided in government schools of India to promote education by identifying poverty issues. The government of India has also taken steps to impart computer education at primary levels. The effect of making primary education for children compulsory has resulted in the rate of child labour in the country to come down significantly.

                 

2. Implementation of Various Schemes For Primary Levels

Various schemes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid Day Meal are implemented for the primary level of education to aid children who are from the poorer backgrounds. These schemes are aimed at encouraging this particular segment of society to send their children to school, taking off some of the burden from the parents and in turn increasing literacy and opening up opportunities for their children.

3. Increment of Schemes at Secondary Levels

An increased number of schemes such as Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education, Girls Hostel Scheme, Scheme of Vocational Education, Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage, National Scholarships are implemented by the Indian Government to improve the secondary level of education in India, preparing them for higher levels of education in the future.

4. Prevailing of Schemes For Higher Levels of Education

The schemes of higher education such as All India Council for Technical Education Scholarships, Scheme of Apprenticeship Training, Department of Science and Technology grants and fellowships, Scholarship Schemes for ST Students by Ministry of Tribal Affair, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Scheme), Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities - Schemes/Programmes and Sports Authority of India promotional schemes have increased the educational statistics of India. Providing special schemes even at higher levels of education reflects the clear notion of the Indian Government about improving the educational status of the country.

5. Development of The Economy and Employment

India has seen great development in the last few years in terms of its economy and in the field of education. The education system of a country prepares its citizens for employment opportunities put forward by the private and public sectors across the country. Education in India is only getting better, and the demand for qualified Indians across the globe is increasing in line with global development, and being the world's second largest English speaking country, with 10% of its population (around 125 million people) able to speak English, the surge continues. Increased development in its education system can be reflected in India's GDP per capita over the years 

           

6. Reservation system in Indian Educational System

The Indian Government makes sure that reservations are offered to the socially deprived classes. In India, the present statistics of reservation is 7.5% for the Scheduled Tribes (STs), 15% for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 27% for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). This is implemented in most educational institutions across the country, allowing them access to education which they may have been deprived of.

7. Open Universities in India

A list of approved Open Universities in India allows many the facility to study at home. It has either minimal entry or no entry requirements by offering distance education using didactics media methods such as e-Tutorials. They award undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as well as other qualifications.

 

8. Emphasis of Study Based on Theoretical Knowledge

In India, students are guided to learn more theoretical concepts which helps them to develop higher intellect compared to students from other countries. It inculcates project-based learning by building and improving the knowledge obtained by them already.

9. Focus on Morals, Values, Culture and Emphasis on General Knowledge

In India, value-based teaching is followed by teachers at the primary levels of education. Subjects such as Moral Science and General Knowledge are taught to children at primary levels to inculcate a socially responsible and ethical behaviour in them from their early childhood and encourages them to be aware of the world around them. Another fine feature of the  Indian Education System is the equal emphasis given to the arts and culture along with academic activities. This enables children to develop a keen interest in acquiring knowledge not only about different cultures of the country but across the globe.

10. Growth of Technical Institutions Across The Country

Post liberalization, India increased its student population by 18 times which led to the opening of more technical institutions. Every year, about 20 million people turn 18 which increases the need for more technical institutions in the country. Institutions concerned with different levels of education such as primary schools, upper primary schools, secondary/ senior secondary schools, professional colleges and universities have increased in the country.

          

India has taken a major turn in its journey of improving its educational status through various schemes and programmes. It is highly centralised and is still undergoing huge changes from its inception in 1947. There are certainly many weaknesses in the system which need to be addressed such as poor facilities and lack of technology in government schools, the lack of world-class higher education institutions and the sheer ferocity of the competitive exams including JEE and NEET. To put this in perspective, last year 1.2 million students took the JEE Main exam and only the top 1% eventually got into an IIT. 

With these numbers in mind, the Indian government should use education as the major tool for changing the face of the country more than anything else, placing India on the world's economic map and ensuring India emerges as a superpower of the world in the very near future.