The education imperative: May Parliament rise to the challenge

A country can't prosper if too many children are left behind and it's for our parliamentarians to transform this grim reality

- GAURAV GOGOI

n ancient Indian philosophy, vidya—or wisdom—is celebrated as the ultimate liberator, the force that dispels ignorance and uplifts individuals and societies. From the Vedic chant "Asato ma sadgamaya"—lead me from ignorance to truth—to Mahatma Gandhi's vision of Nai Talim, education rooted in self-reliance and character building, a broader construct of knowledge has always been central to India's ethos. Yet today, this vision remains unfulfilled for millions of children. Despite attending school, many fail to acquire even basic literacy and numeracy. Bridging the gap between schooling and learning is essential if we are to deliver on this ancient promise of vidya.

India has made remarkable strides in education. Literacy rates have soared from 16% in 1947 to over 80% today. Landmark policies, from the National Education Policies of 1968 and 1986 to the transformative Right to Education (RTE) Act, have expanded access, pushing enrolment from 50% in 1951 to a near-universal level today.

Yet, every year, 2 million five- and six-year-olds enter Grade 1 in India. By age 10, over half of them cannot read a basic sentence and fewer than 29% can comprehend what they read. If these children formed a nation, it would be as large as Japan and it would be unrealistic to expect this nation to thrive without addressing this learning crisis.

In a world driven by science and technology, the absence of foundational skills among India's next billion learners is a looming disaster. But this crisis can be averted—if parliamentarians step up.

Five key priorities have emerged through my interactions with the International Parliamentary Network for Education (IPNEd).