Lack of infrastructure in education is one of the biggest factors that have plagued the progress of our nation. Successive governments have tried to introduce policies to improve the current state of affairs, yet the problem still persists. The Right to Education act however, was an essential policy that brought in a paradigm shift in the way education was looked at in our country. Along with Right to Education, the new policies proposed by the government herald a new era for the underrepresented Indian child. If they have to adapt and succeed in global conditions and make our country a powerhouse of knowledge and innovation, the education policies need to change, keeping in mind the requirements of the 21st century. Understanding and implementing the concepts mentioned below are therefore essential for a complete overhauling of the education system.
1. Ensuring learning outcomes in Elementary Education
Several studies have shown that many school children who have reached upto class V do not have the age-appropriate skills in reading, writing and arithmetic. Careful evaluation of the reasons for these low learning achievement levels have to be understood and the system of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation needs to be reassessed. Also, there is a dire need to suggest better ways and methods to improve the learning outcomes of school children to enhance the quality of elementary education. Keeping this in mind, the Government should develop a complete comprehensive curriculum solution to ensure that students' learning outcomes correspond to their grade level.
2. Extending outreach of Secondary and Senior Secondary Education
A tremendous growth in elementary education enrolments has been observed. Retention rates in schools have also improved, particularly among the more disadvantaged groups. This huge success has put significant pressure on secondary schools to admit more students. Furthermore, the enforcement of the Right to Education Act has improved retention and transition rates in secondary education too. Greater emphasis should now be given to increase access to post-elementary education across the country to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to complete his or her studies.
3. Strengthening of Vocational Education
In India, general education and vocational education have been operating as two different areas with very little relation between the two. This has led students to believe that they cannot pursue higher studies in vocational courses. However, increase in focus on vocational education in secondary education, especially skill development programmes such as Kaushal Vikas Yojana have changed the dynamics. The National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF) has been aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) to make skill development an integral part of the curriculum at all stages.
4. Reforming School Examination Systems
There is a strong need to reform the examination system that focusses on logical reasoning, problem-solving and Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). In recent years, major changes in the CBSE examination system have been observed. The Class X Board examination has been made optional and a new grading system has been introduced which is most-suited for the modern-day student. State Boards have also welcomed the measures and followed up with efforts to update their respective curricula and examination systems. These refinements not only improve the learning outcomes of the students, they also improve the quality of secondary education. Thus, new reforms are needed which can enhance innovation on the existing system.
5. Revamping Teacher Education for Quality Teachers
A teacher plays the most important role in the overall development of a student. Creating a competent and equipped teacher base is crucial for improving the quality of education in the country. Enabling teachers with the latest digital tools to widen their student base and providing them with adequate financial and social incentives will help in improving the overall quality of education in any school.
6. Promotion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems in school and adult education
ICT can make a significant difference in the quality of education. Nowadays, schools are using several innovative methods to implement ICT in their curricula. Introducing computer education at the primary level is a must to help students adapt to technical skills moving forward. The application of ICT should be extended to more than mere videos being played in the classroom and incorporate the entire gamut of interactive learning possible with digital technology.
7. New knowledge, pedagogies and approaches for teaching of Science, Maths and Technology in School Education to improve learning outcomes of Students
A change in teaching of STEM subjects is the need of the hour. One should put special focus on STEM subjects and develop innovative hands-on solutions in Maths, Science and Robotics for schools. Introduction of mobile labs and science centres by the government and the initiative to include parents in this change is essential so that learning becomes a continuous, multi-generational process.
8. School standards, School assessment and School Management systems
Better governance is what a school needs for better performance. In rural schools though, it is a far cry. It is generally believed that village schools will function effectively only when the local community is actively involved in school management. Even though this is true, there is rarely any communication between the two entities. There is nobody to assess the performance indicators for grading the schools that would yield tangible results. A Quality Assessment and Accreditation system in schools is an absolute necessity. This would cover all the functional aspects including scholastic and co-scholastic domains, physical infrastructure, faculty management, school leadership, learning outcomes and satisfaction of pupils and their parents/guardians.
9. Promotion of Languages
We especially laud the suggestion of mother tongue-based education. Children should not be at a disadvantage just because of their cultural distance from English or Hindi. NCERT's evaluation study found out that mother tongue-based education has shown increased attendance and retention in schools. It has also shown a positive impact on students' achievement in language studies as well as mathematics. However, there should be a fundamental English education for every student as it has become essential in the professional space. The dependence on English however needs to be reduced as it is resulting in the fast disappearance of our cultural identity as well as widening the gap between urban-rural cohesiveness.
10. Comprehensive Education - Ethics, Physical Education, Arts & Crafts, Life Skills
Anything less than a holistic, well-rounded education results in only half an education. Intellectual, emotional, physical and artistic skill enhancement is essential for the overall development of a child. This change in policy to provide special tools and toys to play with, and a well-maintained sports facility to play in, does wonders for the child. More importantly, what is growth without the appreciation of art and the ability to express ideas, emotions and thoughts freely? Inclusion of visual and performing arts in school life is as welcome as a breath of fresh air.
11. Focus on Child Health
We strongly believe that schools and teachers can be the beacons of health literacy in areas with special needs and ultimately break the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality. The mid-day meals were a step in the right direction and now with emphasis on good health practices in pre-school education, academic institutions can bring about a real change from the grassroots level. Essentially, it will be a kind of reverse learning process where the children can go back to their homes and educate their parents and family members about how to maintain good health and hygiene.
Guest Author
The author is CEO & Co-founder of Next Education India
