INCLUSIVE EDUCATION: KEY TO INDIA'S FUTURE

India is on a promising path of transforming its education system, with equity and inclusion at the heart of this mission.

- DR SANKU BOSE

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a future where every learner, regardless of background, has access to quality education and opportunities. By addressing challenges such as the digital divide, enhancing teacher training and fostering inclusive learning environments, the nation is embracing innovative solutions to empower all its students. This journey reflects hope and collective commitment to unlocking the potential of every child, paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future.

India’s quest for equitable education started with our independence with constitutional provisions under Articles 21A and 45, which mandated free and compulsory education for children. The Right to Education (RTE) Act, enacted in 2009, solidified this commitment by guaranteeing education for children aged 6-14 as a fundamental right. Over the years, various schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, MidDay Meal Programme and many others have aimed to reduce dropouts, improve access and promote gender equity with varying rates of success. But there’s plenty more that needs to be done.

In terms of population numbers, the only other country we can compare ourselves to is China. China has achieved near-universal primary education and significantly higher enrolment rates in secondary and tertiary education. From 1981 to 2021, China’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in tertiary education increased from 2.06% to 67.39% as per the World Bank, an increase of more than 33 times! India, which led China with a 5.19% GER in 1981, managed less than a six-fold increase to 30.33% in the last 40 years. During this period, both countries spent between 3.3 to 4.6% of their GDP on education.