School Education in India - Current Status of Pre and Secondary School, Issues & Government Initiatives

The state of school education in India is complex and multi-faceted, with significant variation in quality and access across different regions, socio-economic groups, and educational levels. The Indian education system is primarily divided into pre-primary, primary, elementary, secondary education, and higher studies. The present status of quality education in India is facing many challenges like lack of adequate infrastructure, low government expenditure, etc.

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This article on Testbook will discuss in detail the state of school education in India, the present status of quality education in India, and Provisions in the Indian Constitution related to Education. We will also learn about the shortcomings, reforms needed, and challenges in detail. To learn about more such topics in an interactive manner under the guidance of expert mentors and super teachers check out the UPSC CSE Super Coaching.

State of School Education in India

The Annual State of Education Report (ASER) is released by NGO Pratham. It gives an overall trend and status of education in India along with the challenges and reforms needed in the education system of India. The annual Status of Education is reported by Pratham every year since 2005 in all the rural districts of India. The latest National Policy of Education (NEP) 2020, marked a significant step in the state of education in India.

School infrastructure in India

• Schools is the temples of modern learning and the modern world. According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), only 12% of all government-funded schools had internet facilities and only 30% had computers in working condition.
• Approximately 42% of these schools lack furniture, 23% lack operational electricity, 49% lack staircases, 22% lack ramps for the physically impaired, and 15% lack Toilet facilities (which include drinking water, toilets, and hand wash basins).
• According to data from the District Information System for Education (DISE), just six out of every ten schools in the country have access to electricity. Data at the state level reveals an even more depressing picture. One-third of states do not have power in the majority of their schools.
• The already miserable state of school infrastructure may have degraded further in the last two years when government schools were either closed or repurposed as temporary wards for the isolation of covid-positive patients.
• Even though many schemes for improving school infrastructure are being undertaken, they are still insufficient.

Status of Pre-school Education in India

• According to National Education Policy 2020, Preschool education is also known as early childhood education. It covers students between the ages of 3-8 years.
• Pre-school Education is an important foundation for a child's future academic and social success.
• In India, the status of preschool education varies widely depending on diverse factors such as geographic location, socioeconomic status, and cultural attitudes.
• According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2019, only 54% of children in the age group of 4-5 years in rural India were enrolled in preschools.
• One of the major challenges in the preschool education system in India is the lack of adequate infrastructure and trained teachers.
• The Indian government has recognized the importance of preschool education and has launched several initiatives to improve access and quality.
• The National Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy was launched in 2013, which aims to provide equitable access to quality early childhood care and education to all children in the age group of 0-6 years.
• There is still a long way to go to ensure that all children have access to quality early childhood education.

Status of Secondary Education in India

• Secondary education in India refers to the education provided to students in the age group of 14-18 years. This stage of education is crucial as it prepares students for higher education and helps them acquire the necessary skills to become productive members of society.
• The gross enrollment ratio (GER) for secondary education in India has been steadily increasing. As of 2021-22, the GER for secondary education in India is 57.6%. This indicates that more children are getting the opportunity to pursue secondary education in India.
• During Secondary education, students pass through transition and adolescent years. During this time, students' physical structures change quickly, and they experience a variety of emotional transformations and mood swings.
• The secondary school must prepare students for this transition by honing their skills and talents.
• However, there are several challenges that need to be addressed to ensure that the quality of secondary education in India improves. One of the main challenges is the wide disparities in access to education across different regions and socio-economic groups.

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Problems faced by School Education System in India

There are several problems faced by the school education system in India. Here are some of the significant ones:

• Low Budget for Education: According to the Union Budget 2023, India's education spending as a proportion of GDP is 2.9%. This is insufficient to meet the educational needs of the world's greatest school-age population.
• Quality of education: The quality of education in government schools is often poor due to a lack of resources, poorly trained teachers, and outdated teaching methods. Private schools, on the other hand, are often too expensive for many families to afford.
• Inequality: There is a significant gap between the quality of education provided to students in urban and rural areas. Children in rural areas have less access to resources and are often taught by untrained or underqualified teachers.
• Weak Implementation of Right to Education(RTE): Many states have yet to meet the standards outlined in the RTE Act of 2009. The provision for playgrounds and the construction of boundary walls, both of which are included in the Act, have the greatest gap, with 40% of schools lacking a playground and 43% lacking a boundary wall. 
• Language barrier: In many parts of the country, children speak different languages at home than the language in which they are taught at school. This can make it difficult for them to learn and can create a barrier to learning.
• Lack of technology: Many schools in India do not have access to the latest technology, including computers and the internet. This can put students at a disadvantage in a world that is becoming increasingly digital.
• Assessment and evaluation: The current system of assessment and evaluation often emphasizes rote learning and memorization rather than critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This can lead to a lack of creativity and innovation among students.

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Provisions in the Indian Constitution related to Education

The Constitution of India includes several provisions related to education. Some of the key provisions are given below:

• Seventh Schedule: The 7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the separation of powers between the Union government and the state governments. The subject of Education comes under the concurrent list. Hence, both Union and State governments have the power to legislate on provisions related to education.
• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): According to article 45 of DPSP in part IV of the Indian Constitution, “The state shall strive, within ten years of the adoption of this Constitution, to provide free and compulsory education for all children until they reach the age of fourteen.”
• Right to Education: The Constitution provides for the Right to Education for all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years under Article 21A. This provision guarantees that the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children in this age group. The 86th Constitutional Amendment (2002) added Article 21A as a fundamental right to the Indian Constitution.
• Education to Minorities: Article 30 of the Indian Constitution deals with the establishment and administration of educational institutions. It gives the right to minority communities to establish and administer educational institutions.
• Language policy: The Indian Constitution provides for the development and promotion of Hindi as a national language. The Union is obligated under Article 351 to support the propagation of the Hindi language.

ASER Report on Indian School Education

• School Enrollment Trends:
  • The percentage of children (6-14 years) not enrolled in school is at a historic low of 2.8% in 2018.
  • Girls in the 11 to 14 age group out of school dropped to 4.1%, with only 4 states having figures above 5%.
• Gender Disparities:
  • In 2008, over 20% of girls (15-16 age group) were not in school nationally, decreasing to 13.5% in 2018.
  • Gender gaps in school enrollment between girls and boys have reduced.
• Private School Enrollment:
  • Private school enrollment was 30.6% in 2016, maintaining a similar rate of 30.9% in 2018.
  • Despite this, many states have witnessed a decline in private school enrollment.
• Government School Challenges:
  • Nationally, 43.3% of government primary schools in 2018 had less than 60 students, rising steadily over the past decade.
  • Attendance patterns of students and teachers have remained relatively stable.
• Improvements in School Facilities:
  • Over 8 years (2010-2018), facilities mandated by RTE improved nationally.
  • Usable girls' toilets in schools doubled to 66.4%, and schools with boundary walls increased to 64.4% in 2018.
• Academic Performance:
  • Slightly over half (50.3%) of Std V students can read at least a Std II level text.
  • While some states show improvement in arithmetic skills, the national metric hasn't significantly risen.
• Gender Disparities in Academic Skills:
  • For ages 14-16, girls' reading proficiency matches boys nationally, but boys hold a substantial advantage in arithmetic.
  • Nationally, 50% of boys in this age group can correctly solve a division problem compared to 44% of girls.
• Private School Advantage:
  • Enrollment in private schools is increasing, and private school students generally perform better.
  • However, in absolute terms, private school students face similar learning challenges as those in public schools.

Government Initiative Towards Education in India

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA):
  • SSA aims to provide universal elementary education.
  • Focuses on improving infrastructure, teacher quality, and community participation.
• Midday Meal Scheme:
  • Provides free meals to school children to improve attendance and nutrition.
  • Enhances the overall learning environment.
• Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA):
  • Focuses on improving secondary education.
  • Aims to enhance access, infrastructure, and quality of education.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY):
  • Promotes skill development among youth.
  • Enhances employability and entrepreneurship.
• Digital India in Education:
  • Promotes e-learning and digital literacy.
  • Enhances accessibility to educational resources through technology.
• National Scholarship Portal:
  • Facilitates various scholarships for students.
  • Aims to support financially disadvantaged students in pursuing education.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:
  • Focuses on holistic and multidisciplinary education.
  • Aims to transform the education system to meet contemporary needs.
• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao:
  • Promotes the education of the girl child.
  • Aims to address gender disparities in education.
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in Schools:
  • Emphasizes cleanliness and hygiene in schools.
  • Creates a conducive environment for learning and health.
• Inclusive Education:
  • Various initiatives to ensure education for differently-abled children.
  • Aims for equal opportunities and inclusive classrooms.

Way Forward

Here are some of the ways forward for Improving the state of school education in India:

• Increase Government investment: The government needs to increase investment in the education sector, especially in government schools. It should be increased to at least 6% of GDP from the present 2.9%.
• Focus on digital learning: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital learning. The government should focus on providing digital devices, internet connectivity, and digital content to students in both rural and urban areas.
• Emphasise vocational training: The education system needs to emphasize vocational training and skill development to prepare students for the job market. This includes providing students with opportunities to learn new skills and supporting them in their pursuit of employment.
• Encourage innovation: The government should encourage innovation in the education sector, including the use of technology, gamification, and other innovative teaching methods. This can help to make learning more engaging and effective for students.
• Flexibility in learning: Courses with fixed credits must be introduced with a minimum credit requirement in order to participate in the final exam. This will encourage students to study subjects that interest them.
• Ensure accountability: The government should ensure accountability in the education system. This includes monitoring the quality of education, conducting regular evaluations, and holding teachers and school administrators accountable for their performance.

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Conclusion

Education and skill development play a significant role in the greater realm of human capital. The Right to Education Act is a cornerstone of Indian education. The outcomes of these policies can be described as mixed. There is still much improvement to be made. The New Education Policy (NEP) is the ideal opportunity to reflect on India's previous history, accomplishments, and concerns, and to map out a visionary education strategy for the twenty-first century.

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