The Role of the Current School Education System in Educating India

 

Anu Choudhary ¹, Suresh Kumar Yadav ²

 

¹ Principal, MGGS, Mansarovar, Jaipur, India

² Teacher, MGGS, Mansarovar, Jaipur, India

 

1. INTRODUCTION

India's school education system has undergone significant transformations over the past two decades, aiming to address the diverse needs of its vast population. With initiatives like the Right to Education Act (RTE) of 2009, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the country has made strides toward universalizing education and improving its quality. However, challenges persist, including disparities in access, quality, and infrastructure.

 

 

 

 

2. Historical Evolution of India's School Education System

2.1. Pre-Independence Era

Before independence, India's education system was primarily informal, with traditional institutions like gurukuls and madrasas. The British colonial period introduced formal education structures, but these were limited in reach and often catered to the elite.

 

2.2. Post-Independence Reforms

Post-1947, India prioritized education as a tool for nation-building. The Constitution mandated free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years. Subsequent policies focused on expanding access, especially in rural areas.

 

3. Major Initiatives

·        Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Launched in 2001, SSA aimed to universalize elementary education by 2010. It focused on infrastructure development, teacher recruitment, and community participation.

·        Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009: This act made education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14, mandating free and compulsory education.

·        National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: NEP 2020 introduced a holistic approach to education, emphasizing early childhood care, foundational literacy, and multidisciplinary learning.

 

4. NEP 2020: A Paradigm Shift

The National Education Policy 2020 marks a significant transformation.

           Key changes include:

1)    5+3+3+4 System: Aligns with cognitive developmental stages (Foundational to Secondary).

2)    Focus on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)

3)    Promotion of Multilingualism and Mother Tongue Teaching

4)    Holistic, Inquiry-based Learning: Emphasis on critical thinking and experiential learning.

5)    Integration of Vocational Education

6)    Use of Technology and Digital Infrastructure

 

5. Current Structure of School Education

The NEP 2020 restructured the school education system into a 5+3+3+4 model:

1)    Foundational Stage (5 years): Includes 3 years of pre-primary and Grades 1-2, focusing on play-based learning.

2)    Preparatory Stage (3 years): Grades 3-5, emphasizing discovery and activity-based learning.

3)    Middle Stage (3 years): Grades 6-8, introducing experiential learning in sciences, mathematics, arts, and social sciences.

4)    Secondary Stage (4 years): Grades 9-12, focusing on multidisciplinary studies and critical thinking.

Flowchart 5+3+3+4 Education Structure

 

6. Primary Stage

·        According to the present Survey, at primary stage total enrolment is 12,29,15,301, which includes 5,75,52,738 girls and 6,53,62,563 boys. These figures show that 46.82% are girls and 53.18% boys. In rural areas, percentage of girls’ enrolment is 46.73, whereas in urban area, the same is 47.10%. In rural area, Delhi has the highest percentage of girls’ enrolment (50.70%) while it is the lowest 42.04% in Bihar. In urban area, Sikkim with 51.98% is on the top and Himachal Pradesh with 44.30% is at the bottom. Overall, Meghalaya has maximum girls’ enrolment (50.48%) and minimum is in Bihar (42.46).

 

7. Upper Primary Stage

·        There are 4,68,45,845 children enrolled at upper primary stage. In this enrolment 44.00% are girls and 56.00% boys. In rural area percentage of enrolled girls (42.63%) is comparatively less than that in urban area (46.58%). Meghalaya has the maximum percentage of girls’ enrolment (51.99%) and Rajasthan the minimum (34.66%).

 

8. Secondary Stage

·        There are 2,18,88,898 children enrolled at secondary stage. Out of these 41.51% are girls and 58.49% are boys. Percentage of enrolment in rural and urban areas are 57.59 and 42.41 respectively. In rural area, the percentage of enrolment for girls is 38.96 whereas in the urban area it is 44.98% which shows a difference of 6.02%. At secondary stage, Meghalaya has the highest percentage of girl’s enrolment (51.47%) and Rajasthan has the lowest (29.33%).

 

9. Higher Secondary Stage

·        At higher secondary stage 1,14,37,883 children are enrolled including 41.24% girls and 58.76% boys. The rural area has 39.60% of total enrolment. In rural area the percentage of girls’ enrolment is 38.31 whereas in the urban area this percentage is 43.17. Kerala has the highest percentage of girls enrolled which is 55.01 and Bihar has the lowest 26.39%.

 

10. Achievements and Progress

India has made commendable progress in education over the past two decades:

 

11. Right to Education Act (2009)

Right to Education Act (2009) has made elementary education free and compulsory.

 

12. Digital Learning Initiatives

ePathshala, DIKSHA, and PM eVIDYA have expanded access to quality resources.

 

13. National Achievement Survey (NAS)

Tracks learning outcomes for continuous improvement.

 

14. Increased Enrolment

The RTE Act and SSA significantly boosted enrolment rates. By 2018, overall school enrolment reached 97.2%, with notable increases in girls' enrolment.

Chart 1

Chart 1 Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in India (2010–2023) (Visual: Line Graph Showing Increasing Enrolment Trends at Primary and Secondary Levels)

 

 

15. Infrastructure Development

SSA contributed to the construction of schools, classrooms, and sanitation facilities, improving the learning environment.

 

16. Teacher Training

NEP 2020 emphasizes teacher education, proposing a 4-year integrated B.Ed. program as the minimum qualification by 2030.

 

17. Focus on Foundational Literacy

The NIPUN Bharat Mission aims to ensure that every child attains foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3.

 

18. Equity and Inclusion

Efforts have been made to bring marginalized communities into mainstream education:

·        Scholarships and Midday Meal Scheme

·        Gender Equity Programs (e.g., Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao)

·        Inclusive Education for Disabled (IEP under Samagra Shiksha)

 

19. Inclusive Education

NEP 2020 and RTE Act-2009 emphasize inclusive education, ensuring access for children from marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and children with disabilities. Special Education Zones and Gender Inclusion Funds are initiatives aimed at promoting equity.

Chart 2

Chart 2 Gender Parity Index in School Education (2023) (Visual: Bar Chart Comparing Parity Across Different Education Levels)

 

Yet, gaps remain in tribal, rural, and economically weaker sections.

 

20. Role of Technology in Education

NEP 2020 emphasizes the integration of technology in education. Initiatives like the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) aim to facilitate the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, and teacher training.

 

21. Digital and Blended Learning

Integration of Technology in Education

 

COVID-19 accelerated digital learning adoption. While urban students transitioned quickly, rural students struggled due to:

·        Lack of internet and devices

·        Low digital literacy among teachers and parents

Government schemes like PM eVIDYA, SWAYAM, and DIKSHA have tried to bridge the digital divide.

 

22. Challenges in Current Education System and Areas for Improvement

1)    Quality of Education

Despite increased enrolment, learning outcomes remain a concern. Many students lack basic reading and arithmetic skills appropriate for their grade levels.

·        Learning Outcomes Lag Behind Enrolment: According to ASER reports, many Class 5 students struggle with basic reading and arithmetic.

Chart 3

Chart 3 ASER 2023 - Percentage of Class 5 Students Who Can Read a Class 2 Text (Visual: Bar chart showing data across states)

 

2)    Infrastructure Gaps

While infrastructure has improved, disparities persist, especially in rural and remote areas. Many schools still lack adequate classrooms, electricity, and sanitation facilities.

3)    Teacher Shortages

A significant shortage of qualified teachers affects the quality of education. As of recent reports, there is a shortage of over 500,000 teachers nationwide.

4)    Implementation Challenges

Policies like NEP 2020 require effective implementation across diverse states, each with unique challenges and capacities. Unless such well contemplated, designed and futuristic policies are effectively implemented, the desired results cannot be obtained. So this is responsibility of all including central government, state/UT governments, NGOs, Private institutions and even society to adopt necessary measures to take the Indian education system to new heights.

5)    Exam-centric System

More focus is being given on rote learning rather than conceptual understanding and creativity.

Grade wise and Subject wise Requirements of Learning as per NEP- 2020

 

6)    Role of Private vs. Government Schools

India has a dual system:

·        Government Schools: Serve the majority, especially in rural areas; often underfunded.

·        Private Schools: Increasingly popular in urban and semi-urban areas; sometimes unaffordable and unregulated.

7)    Community and Private Sector Involvement

Organizations like Vidya Bharati have contributed to expanding educational access, especially in underserved areas. As of 2019, Vidya Bharati operated over 12,000 formal schools, serving more than 3.4 million students.

 

23. Future Directions

·        Strengthening Early Childhood Education: Implementing ECCE programs to ensure a strong foundation for learning.

·        Enhancing Teacher Training: Investing in continuous professional development for teachers.

·        Leveraging Technology: Expanding digital infrastructure and resources to bridge the urban-rural divide.

·        Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing robust systems to track learning outcomes and policy implementation.

·        Implement NEP 2020 in letter and spirit

·        Strengthen teacher training and recruitment

·        Upgrade infrastructure, especially in rural areas

·        Promote continuous assessment and reduce board exam pressure

·        Encourage community participation and parental engagement

 

24. Conclusion

India's school education system has made commendable progress in expanding access and initiating reforms aimed at improving quality and inclusivity. However, challenges remain in ensuring that all children receive a quality education that equips them with the skills needed for the 21st century. Continued commitment, effective implementation of policies, and collaborative efforts among government, communities, and the private sector are essential to realize the goal of educating every child in India.

 

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

None. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

None.

 

REFERENCES

ASER Centre. (2022). Annual Status of Education Report. ASER Centre. 

Government of India. (2021). NIPUN Bharat: National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy. Government of India. 

Ministry of Education. (2020). National Education Policy 2020. Government of India. 

Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. (2001). Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Government of India. 

Ministry of Human Resource Development. (2009). The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. Government of India.  

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). (2020). Position Paper on School Curriculum.   

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). (n.d.). Enrolment in School Survey Report.  

Vidya Bharati. (2019). Educational Institutions and Initiatives. Vidya Bharati.