Current Education System in India

Rooted in the ancient learnings of Vedas and Puranas, the Indian education system has come a long way from the old-school Gurukuls to the new-age hi-tech academic institutions. Though the constitution of India primarily gave the authority of the educational apparatus of the country to the state, the introduction of a constitutional amendment in 1976 added the role of the national government for suggesting school education policies and programmes with the state still having some freedom over the implementation of programs. The school system of the country has a total of four levels, i.e. lower primary, upper primary, high and higher secondary. Though the educational system can still be improved in a variety of ways, the country has strived to bring significant changes through initiatives such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan as well as the Right to Education Act. With this blog, we will take a comprehensive look at some of the prevalent features of the current education system in India and how it can be improved.

Goals for Pedagogy

The main goal behind designing the curriculum for schools is to inculcate a structural approach that aims to inform students about the salient features of our rich cultural heritage, egalitarianism, democracy, and secularism. In the current education system in India, central emphasis is put on the study of the Indian freedom movements, constitutional publications and other essential topics that focus on imparting students with the knowledge of national identity as well as the glorious history of the country. Further, the curriculums also incorporate the study of diverse cultures in India along with a range of basic academic disciplines as well as official and regional languages.

Grading System 

In the current education system in India, the vitality of the grading system is emphasized. The students in schools and colleges are not just tested based on their learning abilities but also on their acquired knowledge and skills as well as their performance in extracurricular activities. This system is implemented in order to emphasize the importance of the overall growth of the child to broaden their horizons. 

Abridging the Gap: Secondary & Post-Secondary Education

There is a pivotal need to lessen the gap present between the education that is provided at a school level and the senior secondary level that is provided at the post-secondary level. When it comes to schooling, the current education system in India is finite and limited to the foundational knowledge rudimentary to understand basic academic disciplines such as Mathematics, Science, and Social Science, amongst others. When students complete their senior secondary education, they are generally asked to select from degree and diploma courses which are more specialised and that’s why most of them feel confused about what to study after 12th. Thus, there is an essential need to abridge this gap so that students can sort out their interests during their schooling journey which would further assist them in selecting the right undergraduate course after the 12th.

Embracing the Role of Technology in Education

The academic institutions in India, be it primary, secondary or higher education, are embracing advanced technologies in facilitating learning and bringing a revolutionary change to the same-old classroom teaching. Many schools have brought tablets into their traditional classrooms to make learning an engaging and interesting process by teaching kids through digital applications. From a multitude of distance learning programs to online learning management systems such as the School of Open Learning by Delhi University as well as MOOCs, Indian universities and colleges are also rigorously incorporating digital platforms to help every individual attain higher education regardless of the constraints they are facing.

Must Read: How Is Technology Changing the Face of Education?

Advent of International Private Schools

As modernization has found its way into the current education system of India, the introduction of international private schools is a prominent change brought to the sector. These schools aim at preparing students to compete at a global level with the outer world and seek international opportunities. Though the fees and admission criteria are evidently more complex than public schools, international schools have become a top choice for most of the parents of higher strata as well as the middle class striving to provide their kids with global exposure.

Availability of a Wide Range of Short-Term Courses

In the spirit of innovation, new diplomas and vocational courses, have been introduced to give the students a basic idea of what to expect out of a degree course as well as provide them with the necessary grounding for skill-based education. These courses incorporate uniquely designed curriculums that support vocational training and polishing the skills of students in a particular field. So, if you are someone who is looking for a course that will directly lead to conversion to a well-paying job and gives you instant professional occupancy, you should definitely explore diploma courses after the 12th. Thus, through these short-term courses, the chief goal of the current education system in India is to foster learning-focused pedagogy while promoting skill-based training programs.

Specialised Programs

The Government of India has launched several specialised courses and training programs for housewives, industrial labourers and workers in order to promote educational opportunities for people of all ages. These programs include livelihood schemes aimed at boosting the presence of skilled manpower as well as aimed at the motto of women empowerment. Further, in the current education system in India, the government is offering plentiful training courses under its varied departments and ministries of Agriculture, the Food Processing Industry, Health and Family Welfare, Human Resource Development, Information Technology, and Rural Development, amongst others.

Know All About Rural Development Courses!

Emphasis on Extra-curricular Activities

Whether at the school or college level, essential importance is being given to extra-curricular activities to ensure the wholesome development of every student. In the current education system of India, schools and universities rapidly encourage students to take part in co-curricular activities such as sports, cultural and varied other endeavours which are frequently added to their study curriculum. Their participation in extra-curricular activities helps them furnish their future prospects. Further, degree programs are also formulated while ensuring that students are given the requisite practical exposure to the field of study they want to explore!

Check Out: Types of Co-curricular Activities

Varied Scholarship Opportunities

Special attention is also being paid towards providing enough opportunities to help deserving students with scholarships and education loans that can provide them with suitable financial assistance for their academic journey. Schemes such as Aga Khan Scholarship, Pratibha Scholarship, LIC Scholarship, and Dhirubhai Ambani Scholarship, amongst others, offer much-needed financial to meritorious students wanting to pursue secondary and higher education in the country as well as abroad.

Issues in the Current Education System in India

The following are the current concerns with the Indian educational system:

• Education spending: More money needs to be set aside for the expansion of India’s educational system. Numerous positive steps have been made in this direction over the past few years, and if they are kept up, India may soon be able to overcome its current difficulties.
• India needs to adopt the UN’s gross enrolment pattern as well.
• Utilizing students’ capacities to the full is important because the world now needs creative thinkers, and the government should encourage educators to do just that.
• Infrastructure facilities should be improved, particularly in government schools. Government must take action to provide all necessary facilities in government schools and rural areas since they are currently focusing on digital education.
• Model PPP – PPPs that are well-designed can produce innovative school systems in India. Consequently, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model needs to be considered.
• The ratio of students to teachers: In comparison to the number of teachers and faculty members available, there are significantly more students seeking a proper education. As a result, trained educators must be hired to educate the nation’s future.
• Standards for quality in branding and accreditation
• Students studying abroad: Due to these problems with the Indian educational system, many students opt to study abroad. The relevant authorities must address them, and students must decide to remain in India to continue their education and strengthen the nation through their knowledge.

Conclusion

India has the third-largest education and development sector in the world, behind China and the United States. It is abundantly clear from the discussion above that the current educational system in India is more theory-focused than career-focused. It emphasises theory and exams more. The Indian educational system, however, has undergone a significant change as a result of the new education policy, in 2020. The division of stages has been changed as a result of the new National Education Policy (NEP) so that it now reflects the typical stages of mental development that children go through. It has grown lively and skill-focused. India has a 69.3 per cent adult literacy rate. More than 20 universities from India’s higher education system are anticipated to rank among the top 200 worldwide by the year 2030.

FAQs

Thus, the current education system in India is still immensely far behind those of top countries such as the USA and the UK and there is still a lot of scope for improvement. If you are planning to continue your academic journey abroad, you can always get in touch with our Leverage Edu experts and we’ll provide you with suitable guidance in choosing an ideal course and university as well as throughout the whole application process thus assisting you in getting successfully shortlisted into the institution of your choice.