Education is a powerful tool,the way you use it determines whether it turns out to be a demographic dividend or demographic disaster.Our country has already surpassed china to be the most populous country but even today we contribute less in terms of economy making us a developing country.To change this,we need to invest in education.
Pre-primary education for privileged kids is possible due to their fates.But,for lesser luckier ones,there are government anganwadi’s where the situation is turning pathetic day by day.First we need to,bring in right teachers.we need to ensure that children enjoy and play in the school well at this stage.Fun activities,toy games,should be incorporated.But even before all this it is the duty of government to ensure that no infant brought to the anganwadi at this stage is mal nutritious.Eggs,rice,proteins being supplied are a welcome move but we need to bring in more transparency in the process ensuring no involvement of middle men.This stage should ensure that the child’s cognitive abilities are shaped well for his better future.
Primary education is the foundation upon which the kid’s future is built.So we need to recruit the right teachers in the first place,we need to ensure the principle of sarvodaya so that even the last man in the last row goes to the school.The gross enrollment ratios have to be increased.Midday meals,financial incentives to the mother,free books, etc can ensure their enrollment but we also need to focus on the quality aspect of education.we need to revolutionise teacher recruitments and first conduct proper assessment,then training of teachers well to ensure quality.Perfomance based incentives and perks can motivate them to do their jobs better.we should ensure no child is left behind without foundational numeracy,language and social skills.sports,extra curricular activities should be incorporated to ensure holistic development of the child.The NEP and the obvious consequences shine bright.Gandhiji’s nai talim,and such concepts make sure that learning is made fun.
We need to ensure that no child stops going to school at secondary level.They should be taught all the subjects,regular assessments have to be conducted.Especially girls drop out at this stage due to beginning of their menstruation,we need to inculcate trust in them to send girls to school,providing sanitary pads,sensitising them about menstrual health will ensure they don’t drop out.Next,at this age the minds start developing.So we need to ensure that their mental health is good.We need to teach them about issues involving sex education,drugs,hormonal imbalances.we need to teach them about adolescence,their changes in the body,how to accept themselves etc.At this stage we should also ensure that the child’s taste in specific subjects is inculcated.Some would do good in arts,some in science and maths.Schools should ensure that the child gets to know what he is good at,be it education,sports, or whatever that he is interested in.In govt schools,regular field visits of district magistrates,or other officials will motivate students to do better for themselves.Coaching should be provided to meritorious students who wish to excel in JEE,NEET.We need to ensure gender inclusivity bringing in more girls into stem courses.At this stage the student is all ready to soar in his future.schools should ensure that they ae acquainted with all that is needed to realise their destinies.
Then students join in Engineering,Medical courses.Vocational education should be brought at this stage,because not all can afford to study,some may find it easier to join skill development courses to take up jobs.The New educational policy brings in vocational courses for such students.At all stages of his graduation,there should be an exit option,and that should be left to their choices.Vignan jyoti scheme ensures that more women take up technical courses.We need to ensure that the student gets equipped with all skills to take up a job.Ministry of education,Ministry of skill development,Ministry of science and technology should collaborate with each other making sure that right job oriented skills are imparted to students to take up jobs.If the student takes up a job at this stage or before,then he is ready to contribute to the country’s economy.Some would go on to pursue higher education,some get into research,some go abroad all of which ultimately lead to a career later.
In rural areas,students should have good access to education.More and more rural students should come forward to take up better jobs for themselves.Or they can join MGNREGA to be provided with employment in rural areas.Going to cities for education,jobs is good to some extent.But most people end up in pathetic slums of cities contributing to pollution,ill health.Instead they need to invest more upon agriculture,animal husbandry and other such allied activities.we need to ensure digital literacy in rural areas,to do this we need to provide good fiber net connectivity to rural areas.Students struck up in war like,pandemic like or other such distressing circumstances should not be left behind.Internet shutdowns have become a new normal in conflicting situations.Recently,in Manipur the schools have started fresh after the ongoing ethnic conflict.In such situations,online education will best serve the purpose.Even if this phase is compromised for pandemic or war like situations,it is not good in the long run.The pratham foundation,an NGO found huge drops in children’s skills due to corona pandemic.To bridge this gap,or to face similar such pandemics we need to invest in digital education and internet connectivity.
The affirmative action in our country does ensure that tribes,minorities,and backward classes are not left behind in education.We also need to encourage entrepreneurship for these people.The stand up India scheme,ensures that women,and SC entrepreneurs are not left behind.Ekalavya model residential school for tribals,pado pardeshi,nai manzil for minorities have to be further strengthened.Teachers should be trained properly in the first place.NISHTHA, DIKSHA and other such portals should work for quality education.Reservation in education and jobs is a welcome move but we also need to make sure that more people join the private sector as well.More schemes on lines of haryana’s local reservation for pvt sector should be brought up.Girl education,should be our first priority.Beti Bachao,beti padao,sukanya samridhi,and many other schemes are working towards it.Adult literacy is a necessity.we need to ensure that adults who couldn’t be educated get foundational literacy and become digitally literate.
A good education not just contributes to a good economy,it also contributes to a good human being who is ready to give back to society.Education shapes one’s character, personality,career and brings laurels to the country’s GDP.Hence investing in good education should be our primary motto.We need to ensure that poverty, ill health, debilitating circumstances,or nothing can come in the way of good education.We need to empower the downtrodden,the marginalised to create a better future for themselves.Hence,Investing in education first is the best step to a 75 yr old and huge democracy like ours.
Pavana sandhya 