The question you have asked is complex and multifaceted and I would first of all like to thank you for asking such an important question.

Education is considered to be a powerful tool that can change the world without causing physical violence. However, equity in this field is an issue India has been dealing with for ages. I will answer your question based on my experience and opinion and leave it up to you to agree or disagree with me.

Education cannot be free, especially in a country like ours, which has the highest population in the world. Providing education, as noble as it is, requires resources such as teaching materials, teachers, classrooms, notebooks, the internet, and more. All of these resources are mostly acquired by the privileged class, and hence education, which should never have been a privilege, is now considered one rather than a necessity. A lot of research is needed to develop new strategies and technologies to cater to the diverse needs of children, so that the teaching-learning process is fun and not tedious for them. For these reasons, education, in my opinion, cannot be free.

The Right to Education Act (2009-10) initiated by our government is considered a huge step in providing free access to education for children aged 6-14 years. However, the implementation falls short. I taught for six months in a government school and encountered a different reality than what is portrayed by surveys and government statistics. In the name of free education, the students’ needs are neglected, and their educational necessities are not taken care of at all. So, officially, we are told that the government provides free education to these students, but it all seems very far-fetched and political.

Education must be provided in such a way that all children, irrespective of their differences, are able to access it and use it for their benefit, which in turn would benefit the nation.