Education

The new education policy 2024 focuses on various key areas, among them are access to education and promoting equity in education.

Education refers to the discipline that is concerned with methods of teaching and learning in schools or school-like environments, as opposed to various nonformal and informal means of socialization

The educational system generally refers to the structure of all institutions and the opportunities for obtaining education within a country. It includes all pre-school institutions, starting from family education, and/or early childhood education, through kindergarten, primary, secondary, and tertiary schools, then lyceums, colleges, and faculties also known as Higher education (University education). This framework also includes institutions of continuous (further) professional and personal education, as well as private educational institutions.

While the education system is usually regulated and organized according to the relevant laws of a country, a country’s education system may have unregulated aspects or dimensions. Typically, an education system is designed to provide education for all sections of a country’s society and its members. It comprises everything that goes into educating the population.

In ancient India, education was deeply influenced by Hinduism, transmitted through generations and later formalized into the Vedic system. Students lived with Gurus in Gurukuls, where personalized learning focused on individual skills and life lessons. Education involved debates, storytelling, and practical study, emphasizing holistic development over rote learning. Today, however, the system prioritizes exam scores over understanding, leading to memorization without comprehension. Modern education often neglects skill and personality development, failing to recognize innate talents and forcing students into subjects they may not enjoy or excel in.

Nowadays Indian education system faces many challenges such as-

1) A lower standard of instruction:Issues with quality plague many of our educational system’s institutions and colleges. Numerous problems,such as a shortage of qualified teachers, subpar instruction, outmoded and restrictive curriculum and pedagogy,a lack of accountability and quality control, and the separation of research and teaching, generate concerns about the Indian educational system.

2) Higher education funding:Financial constraints significantly impact higher education in India. Despite already allocating 20–30% of the state’s revenue budget to education, the government has reduced funding for higher education. This limits India’s ability to make substantial public investments in research and development, unlike Western institutions like MIT or UC Berkeley. Additionally, the Indian education system prioritizes theoretical knowledge over practical skills, and many positions require high minimum percentages.

3) Traditional approaches to education:Professors continue to use outdated instructional techniques like boards and markers. They dislike using audiovisual tools in the classroom. Additionally, they are out of touch with current knowledge and desires of the international business community

4) Privatization:Privatization of higher education in India is growing, with private institutions now providing 50% of higher education without government funding. This trend is driven by the economic impacts of globalization and liberalism. However, private institutions often reduce educational quality to cut costs and increase profits. Additionally, there is a decline in the commitment levels of teaching staff, despite higher salaries. To improve higher education, it needs to be freed from unnecessary restrictions and political interference.

5) Political considerations’ interference:Most educational institutions, both aided and unaided, are controlled by powerful political figures who currently hold important positions in university governing boards. They have created their own youth cells and support political student organisations. They take advantage of the kids’ enthusiasm for political gain. The students start to build their political careers while losing sight of their personal goals.

6) Economic Challenges:Economic challenges are a major issue in the current higher education system. Many students struggle to meet basic needs due to rising prices, luxury spending, population growth, food shortages, corruption, and selfishness. About 75% of students face financial difficulties, often working part-time jobs to pay for their education, which divides their focus between work and studies. “Earn while you learn” programs are not enough to help students overcome these financial obstacles.

the National Education Policy 2020 stresses on the core values and principle that education must develop not only the cognitive skills, that is, – both ‘foundational skills’ of literacy and numeracy and ‘higher-order’ skills such as critical thinking and problem solving – but also, social and emotional skills – also referred to as ‘soft skills’ -including cultural awareness and empathy, perseverance and grit, teamwork, leadership, communication, among others.

The Policy aims to make pre-primary education universal and emphasizes foundational literacy and numeracy by 2025. It proposes comprehensive reforms across all school levels, including a 5+3+3+4 curriculum structure for ages 3-18, exam and assessment system changes, enhanced teacher training, and revamped education regulation. It also advocates for increased public investment in education, better use of technology, and more focus on vocational and adult education, while reducing curriculum content to core essentials for more holistic learning.

How to overcome these  challenges by using NEP-

1. Holistic Development Emphasis:Holistic development helps students grow socially, emotionally, and ethically, not just academically. By blending principles, experiential learning, and life skills, it prepares them to tackle real-world challenges effectively.
2. Multidisciplinary Learning:Well-rounded people who can handle obstacles in the real world can be produced by combining life skills, values, and experiential learning.

1. Flexibility in Education:With the advent of subject and course choice freedom, students can now follow their passions and interests. Because of this flexibility, learning routes may be tailored to each student’s interests and strengths.
2. Technology Integration for Enhanced Learning:The NEP 2020 emphasizes technology in education, offering innovative teaching methods, online learning, and digital resources. This improves accessibility and prepares students for the digital age with interactive learning opportunities.
3. Multitasking person: NEP provide all subject learning including interested topics.