education system in india is good or bad

India’s outdated approach to education is hurting students and academia

Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Science

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Vishwesha Guttal receives funding from IISc. Views expressed by the author are personal.

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I joined the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) a few years ago for two main reasons. It offered academic freedom and the best research opportunities in India. But also, unlike most research institutions, IISc puts more emphasis on research by offering a four-year undergraduate program in basic sciences, compared to the usual three-year program. This gave me an opportunity to interact with talented students passionate about science. However, recently both the academic freedom and the innovative undergraduate program of IISc have faced threat from the country’s regulatory body.

Last week, India’s University Grants Commission (UGC), a government regulatory and funding body for higher education, directed IISc to scrap the four-year program . The reason for doing so had nothing do with the quality of education. Instead it was alleged that IISc “failed” to follow a national policy 1986 that requires the bachelor degrees in science to be three years. Experiments in higher education, according to UGC, are not allowed.

Only a month ago, UGC forced Delhi University, one of the few universities in the country offering good quality undergraduate education, to scrap a similar program. At about the same time it issued new rules that put dual-degree programs at the Indian Institutes of Technology in doubt. These programs offer a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at the end of the course, and they have helped retain students in academia and promote doctoral research.

Although it appears that a compromise has been reached with IISc after UGC faced criticism from top scientists of India, these moves could push the brightest students of India away from choosing a career in science. It could threaten innovation in higher education that is in bad need of an overhaul.

Why four years?

India has adopted the UK’s model of three-year BSc program for more than 50 years, but the quality of most of the programs is abysmal. A paper prepared jointly by three Indian science academies in 2008 identified various limitations of the present system that focuses on quantity of information rather than the quality of education. The report argued for a four-year program with an emphasis on flexibility in curriculum, choice of subjects and research experience. They also recommended allowing students to switch between science and engineering.

India’s requirement as a large and diverse country cannot and should not rely on a failed mode of higher education uniformly imposed across the entire country. Experiments to improve education must be encouraged, especially if the premier institutes of the country are taking the lead. We can only know what works best if we attempt a variety of approaches.

Where’s my freedom?

These recent directives by UGC are troubling and raise concerns about academic freedom that is vital to institutions aiming to reach excellence. If a few academic institutions such as IISc have been able to maintain quality in research and education, it is because of lack of interference from higher authorities on how to conduct their academic work. Directives such as this one from the UGC could set a precedent for more to follow in the future.

It is ironic that the new Indian government which seems to be doing everything to reduce regulations, from making it easy to obtain environmental clearances and to acquire lands to facilitate industrial growth, must scuttle the growth of knowledge sector by enhancing regulations.

We need to ask what ought to be the role of UGC in the higher education. As it stands, UGC plays the roles of advising, regulating and funding agency of nearly all universities in India, and the government in power has huge control over it. This means significant powers are vested in a single body with conflicts of interest. This must change.

What should be done?

We do need oversight and regulation that ensure the highest quality in all academic endeavours and state funding to sustain higher education. But these must be conducted by different and competent agencies with minimal interference from the government.

Now is also the time for scientists to come out, speak up and engage with both the public and policymakers to ensure India has a good higher education system. These academics, including me, have responsibility towards students who expect high quality education from Indian universities and institutions.

The institutions, too, must reform from within. They have held age-old hierarchical structures with powers vested with the top few. Unless the internal functioning is democratised, made transparent and accountable to the public, scientists can’t expect authorities in the government to do so.

As I write this article from a conference abroad, I am reminded how the undergraduate program of IISc, that was threatened to be scrapped, offers the flexibility comparable to major universities in the world. To mention an example from my own lab, I have a student who is majoring in physics and has keen interest in pursuing research in ecology. He is looking to apply those ideas not just in ecology but also to analyse data from financial systems. Such ventures are unlikely in a typical university set up governed by UGC rules where rigid walls between different disciplines is the norm.

It is not too late for the new government to reverse the direction of discourse on higher education in India. It could start by initiating a debate on restructuring, and revising the mandate of UGC.

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Education is an equally important basic need along with food, shelter and clothes. Do you not agree that education can buy all the other three for an individual? Gone are the days when education was a privilege to the crème de la crème . Now it is the right of every citizen. The transition from privilege to right, speaks volumes of its growing importance.

Is our education system good or bad ?

If you say good, then whom are you comparing with?

The same applies to when you choose to say the opposite.

The facts: A student commits suicide per hour in India (no emotional support from school), CBSE question paper leak and the fate of children is uncertain, students’ voices are suppressed and the truth is concealed. The schools, colleges and institutes are churning out millions of educated, mostly are incapable and mediocre. Has education in India just zeroed down to procuring a meaningless certificate?

Lack of uniformity: With four major boards; CBSE, ICSE, State board, and IB, we are the only country that gives a choice. This can be a good point, but it also points at the lack of uniformity in the courses across the country. The CBSE syllabus is congruous with all the competitive exams. But the rural India heavily relies on the State Board syllabus, which means students from rural areas are inept, for which the government is responsible.

No emphasis on creating ‘thinkers’: The school, and teachers believe in conventionally performing their duties. The emphasis on churning out thinkers is lesser. A student must be encouraged  choose a discipline of his interest. The education system must empower the students.

We must speak: Parents, students, teachers and employers must aggressively demand to institutions on producing quality and capable candidates rather than awarding meaningless degrees and certificates. Often students are suppressed and parents choose to ignore. If not the government school, parents move their ward to the private, and if not there, then a tuition acts as a savior. Is the child benefiting at all?

Grading criteria to be revised: How is the grading done? One who answers as taught in the class scores higher grades. But thinking and writing differently is not encouraged. Teachers stick to old school of thoughts, wherein asking question(s) and thinking differently in the class is rude.

Pressurized to go abroad for higher studies: Due to the poor quality of education, Indian students succumb to the pressure of pursuing their higher studies degrees from abroad. Ironically, renowned Indian institutes offer jobs to candidates with degrees from abroad over home schooled candidates. Does this not question about the lacunae in our education system? The race is tougher for home schooled students. In return, Universities abroad generate humongous revenue from Indian students by charging ridiculously expensive tuition fees. Yet the government in ignorant.

A young nation with an amazing workforce and an inept education system, will never shine. There will be millions of youngsters on the streets with certificates and degrees that hold no credibility. Certainly, the jobless youth will be compelled to choose the wrong path for survival. Imagine a nation full of jobless and frustrated youth! Substantial changes in the system can avoid the catastrophe.

Our nation’s children definitely deserve an excellent education system.

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• Indian Education System Issues And Challenges

Major Issues in the Indian Education System

The Indian Education System has its share of issues and challenges which need to be resolved to provide better and improved education to children, who are the future of the country. Over the years, a lot has changed in the Indian education system but still, there are many loopholes and problems which need to be resolved. 

In this article, we shall discuss in detail the issues and challenges with the Indian Education System and a few counter solutions to overcome these challenges. Also discussed are a few schemes which have been initiated by the Government for the improved education of students across the country. 

Aspirants preparing for the upcoming IAS Exam must carefully go through this article. 

Education System in India – Issues Download PDF Here

About the Indian Education System

A major shift in the education system can be observed from the pre and post-British rule till today in India. Initially, children were educated in Gurukuls which was later modified and the modern education system was introduced. 

After India became independent, the constitution committed six fundamental rights, of which one was the Right to Education. It allowed free education for every child up between the ages of 6 and 14 years. 

The education system is mainly divided into pre-primary, primary, elementary and secondary education, which is followed by higher studies. 

However, there are many drawbacks and loopholes in this system which if curbed can work for the overall development of the country. 

To know in detail about the Right to Education Act (RTE) , aspirants can visit the linked article.

Current Issues in Education in India

Discussed below are the current issues with the Education system in India:

• Expenditure on education – More funds should be allotted for the development of the education system in India. In the past few years, many beneficial steps have been taken in this direction and if the same is continued India may soon overcome the current challenges.
• Gross enrolment pattern – As followed by the UN must also be adopted by India.
• Capacity utilisation – The world now needs creative minds and the Government must encourage schools to boost the students and utilise their capacities to the max and not let their ideas go unheard.
• Infrastructure facilities – Better infrastructure must be provided especially in Government schools. Since the Government is now focussing on digital education, they must undertake steps to provide all necessary facilities in the Government schools and rural areas as well.
• PPP model – Well-designed PPPs can create models of innovation for the school system in India. Thus the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model must be taken into consideration.
• Student-teacher ratio – The number of students in search of proper education is way more in comparison to the teachers and faculty available. Thus, qualified teachers must be appointed to impart knowledge to the future of the country.
• Accreditation and branding – quality standards.
• Students studying abroad – Many students choose to study abroad because of these issues in the Indian education system. The concerned authorities must work on them and students must also choose to stay, learn in India and empower the country through their knowledge.

UPSC and other Government exam aspirants can also refer to the links given below for exam preparation:

Indian Education System Problems and Solutions

There are a few simple solutions which can help in overcoming the problems with the India Education System:

• Innovations required – India is moving towards digital education. This will help in budding the innovative minds of students and the youth of the country. This will bring a transformation in the Indian education system and the authorities and Government must encourage and boost the young minds to focus on overall development rather than just the book-learning.
• Quality of education – There is a major difference in the quality of education being provided in the rural and urban areas of the country. Steps must be taken to standardize the quality of education across India so that everyone can get equal and unbiased knowledge and opportunities to grow.
• Making education affordable – There are Government schools and educational Institutions which are affordable but lack in terms of infrastructure and quality. On the other hand, there are various private education institutions which demand high fees and have better infrastructure and equipment to study. This disparity must be worked upon and the Government must make education affordable and accessible for all. 

Schemes & Campaigns to Boost Education System in India

Given below is a list of Government schemes introduced to enhance the education system in India:

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan – Launched in 2001 to promote ‘Education for All’, strengthening the existing infrastructure of schools and construction of new schools. To know in details about the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) , visit the linked article.
• National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level – It is a focused intervention of the Government of India, to reach the “Hardest to Reach” girls, especially those not in school. Read more at Elementary Education: Moving Towards RTE And Quality Improvement.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme – It is one meal that is provided to all children enrolled in government schools, government-aided schools, local body schools, special training centres (STC), madrasas and maktabs supported under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Visit the Mid Day Meal Scheme page to learn more.
• Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan – It is a flagship scheme aiming at enhancing secondary education and increasing the enrolment rate by providing a secondary school within a reasonable distance of every home.
• Scheme for Infrastructure Development in Minority Institutes – The scheme would facilitate the education of minorities by augmenting and strengthening school infrastructure in Minority Institutions to expand facilities for formal education to children of minority communities.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao – The scheme to promote girl child education in India. Visit the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana page to learn more about the BBBP campaign.

Aspirants can get the detailed UPSC Syllabus for the prelims and mains examination at the linked article and start their exam preparation accordingly. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Indian Education System

What are some of the problems that beset the indian education system, how effective is the indian education system.

For any further updates, candidates can visit BYJU’S and get the latest study material and preparation strategy. 

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Challenges and progress in the Indian education system

The education system in India has undergone significant changes over the past few decades. Despite its long history of learning and knowledge, the Indian education system has faced numerous challenges, including unequal access to education, outdated curricula, and inadequate funding. Despite these challenges, however, the education system in India has made great strides in recent years, and the country is now home to a large number of well-respected universities and colleges.

One of the main challenges facing the education system in India is unequal access to education. Despite the country’s rapid economic growth and increasing prosperity, many rural and underprivileged communities still lack access to quality education. This inequality is reflected in the low literacy rates in these areas, as well as in the high dropout rates for students from these communities.

Another challenge facing the education system in India is outdated curricula. In many cases, the curricula used in schools and colleges are not in line with the latest developments in technology and society. This can result in students being ill-prepared for the demands of the modern workplace and can limit their future career prospects.

In addition to these challenges, the education system in India also faces a lack of funding. Despite the government’s commitment to education, many schools and colleges still lack the resources they need to provide quality education to their students. This includes funding for basic facilities, such as classrooms and libraries, as well as funding for the development of new curricula and the training of teachers.

Despite these challenges, however, the education system in India has made great strides in recent years. Many universities and colleges have modernized their curricula to better reflect the needs of the modern workforce, and the government has increased its funding for education. Additionally, new initiatives, such as the Right to Education Act, have been introduced to increase access to education for all Indian citizens, regardless of their background or income.

In conclusion, the education system in India faces many challenges, including unequal access to education, outdated curricula, and inadequate funding. Despite these challenges, however, the country is home to a growing number of well-respected universities and colleges, and the government has made significant progress in addressing the challenges facing the education system. With continued investment in education, India has the potential to become a leading center of learning and knowledge and to provide quality education to all of its citizens.

great. nothing here is surprising and i assume majority of the india (infact world) population is well aware of the current standing of the indian edu...

a well put argument i must say. you have outlined the technical fallacies of the indian education system. now while that stands true i believe that th...

the indian education system faces both challenges and progress. challenges include access disparities, outdated curricula, and teacher shortages. howe...

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Neeraj Kumar is a skilled and dedicated teacher with a strong background in structural engineering. He holds a Master's degree in Structural Engineering and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. As a teacher at Gateway College of Architecture and Design, he is dedicated to inspiring and educating the next generation of architects. In his role as an educator, he is known for his ability to effectively communicate complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner. He is passionate about helping his students develop a deep understanding of the material and empowering them to reach their full potential. When he's not in the classroom, he is always on the lookout for new opportunities to explore and expand his knowledge. His personal interests include staying current with the latest developments in the field and seeking out new experiences that challenge and inspire him.

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