Future Of Education In India
we need to lean into reinvention. As we head into a post-pandemic era in 2023, it is an opportune time to reimagine the future of education in India. If we confine our efforts to merely ‘recovering’ from the pandemic, we will not be able to move beyond the standards of the past.
Instead, we should focus on creating an education system that can equip students for the new normal that has emerged in the wake of the Covid-19 years – the world that is, not the world that was.
However, the good news here is that the pandemic has proven that our schools can execute rapid and significant change when faced with a challenge. If we continue to build upon this momentum – focus on what we know works and find ways to foster further innovation – we can achieve some truly massive improvements.
There is no doubt that there will be significant educational reforms in 2023 as a result of the new National Education Policy (NEP). STEM-based learning will experience a big push during the next few years as skill-based education picks up speed. In terms of school education, there have been a lot of focused policy developments that have been designed keeping tech-enabled solutions in mind, with the objective of driving digital literacy and inclusiveness in terms of access to quality learning methods. As NEP embarks on its voyage, all school curricula will experience considerable changes as experiential learning gains popularity. Schools will soon start implementing programs with the primary goal of making learning pleasurable.
1. Augmented reality and virtual reality
Technology is developing, and we have reached a brand-new era when augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are quickly gaining traction. Because of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, children now have a space where they can understand complicated ideas and gain practical learning experiences in low-risk virtual environments. STEM-related classes, simulations of medical procedures, resources in the arts and humanities, technical education, AR, and VR all have the potential to improve it. The capacity to communicate knowledge in novel and more interesting ways online is the second reason why virtual reality and augmented reality technologies are on their way to becoming one of the most promising additions to the “Edtech” field.
2. Ensuring quality teaching
Teaching no longer draws quality talent. It doesn’t even draw enough to fill the ranks. This has caused a situation where acute teacher shortages afflict the education landscape in India.
It is imperative to rectify this situation. Not only do policymakers have to ensure that teachers receive adequate remuneration, but they also need to foster a culture where educators are encouraged to upskill and pursue continuous professional development.
Covid-19 pushed education to innovate. Now is the time to cash in on that innovation dividend and build an effective education system that better meets the needs of our students.
3. Holistic learning will be the focus
The emphasis now is on supporting a child’s whole and holistic development so they may grow up to be responsible adults with the right skill sets, thanks to shifting educational environments. Educators are increasingly emphasizing the holistic learning approach to education, which emphasizes a child’s academic success while also preparing them to confront life’s obstacles. There are several advantages to holistic education. Students are given the tools they need to improve their academic achievement as well as develop the soft skills required for a successful professional career. The fact that holistic learning enhances academic achievement, mental and emotional health, and problem-solving skills is only one of its many advantages.
4. Resetting goals for student success
What unites the highest-performing schools is a focus on helping students develop a reliable compass and the tools they need to navigate a complex, turbulent, and fluctuant world confidently.
These abilities are far more essential to ensure success in today’s context than mere content specialization. Content is likely to become outdated. However, if students are equipped with the tools they need to adapt and learn new skills quickly, they will thrive despite uncertainty.
5. Augmented reality and virtual reality
Technology is developing, and we have reached a brand-new era when augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are quickly gaining traction. Because of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, children now have a space where they can understand complicated ideas and gain practical learning experiences in low-risk virtual environments. STEM-related classes, simulations of medical procedures, resources in the arts and humanities, technical education, AR, and VR all have the potential to improve it. The capacity to communicate knowledge in novel and more interesting ways online is the second reason why virtual reality and augmented reality technologies are on their way to becoming one of the most promising additions to the “Edtech” field.
6. Providing accessible, inclusive, and flexible learning at scale
Equity and inclusion in education remain high on the policy docket in 2023. And leveraging the educational innovations and virtual learning models that emerged during the pandemic is the perfect way to achieve this goal.
India’s policymakers need to bridge the digital divide among students. Closing the gap will enable them to use online tools such as video conferencing, learning management platforms, and virtual classrooms to make learning accessible to vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Digital learning platforms can also help India overcome the supply-demand imbalance that hamstrings its educational system. Currently, demand for quality education far outstrips supply. However, innovative approaches such as asynchronous learning and hybrid models can help us provide good education at a far broader scale.
Education in India
Education in India means the process of teaching, learning, and training human capital in schools and colleges. This improves and increases knowledge and results in skill development hence enhancing the quality of the human capital. Our government has always valued the importance of education in India and this is reflected in our economic policies.
Growth in Government Expenditure on Education
There are two areas where government expresses there expenditure.
- As a percentage of total government expenditure.
- As a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The percentage of expenditure on education out of total government expenditure is the indicator of the importance of education in the scheme of expenses before the government. The commitment level towards the development of education in our country can be shown by the percentage of expenditure done on education out of the total GDP.
During 1952-2010, the percentage of total education expenditure out of total government expenditure increased from 7.92% to 11.10%. At the same time, the percentage of GDP of the country increased from 0.64% to 3.25%. As the expenditure on education was not constant during that time, the growth of the country was irregular in that era.
Is Online Education Changing The Way Students Learn?
Expenditure on Elementary Education in India
In comparison to expenditure done on elementary education and higher education, the major share was grabbed by elementary education. On the contrary, expenditure per student on higher education was higher than that of elementary education.
As the expansion of school education is going on, we need more trained teachers who have studied at educational institutes. Therefore, expenditure on all levels of education should increase. Himachal Pradesh spends Rs. 2005 as per capita education expenditure as compared to Bihar which spends Rs. 515. This results in differences in educational opportunities between states.