Transformation of Indian Education System

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. The quote given by ‘A P J Abdul Kalam’ Sir is potent enough to express the need for quality education for the development of the nation. The Indian education system is the foundation of the future. So it should be designed to enhance the destiny of the nation as well as the career of its youth.

Education systems in India

If we took a deep look into the education systems that once practiced or being practicing in India. Then, we come across a variety of teachings and customs. In ancient India, the Gurukula system of education was the only medium of literacy. But over time, the education system has also seen a massive transformation. The modern education system is the result of the Colonial British govt. and the post-independence governments of the nation. Changes and transformations have been done to make education more effective and helpful for both, the providers and the receivers.

Let’s take a view on the ancient and modern education of the nation.

The ancient Indian education system

When we turn out the pages of history we go through the phase when the ‘Gurukula’ system of education is practiced all across the country. In this system, the Guru (teacher)have the authority to chose the student and guide them in all the aspects of educational skills. Those having a desire to learn request the Guru to accept them as students. Accepted students had to stay at the gurukula i.e. guru’s house of schooling. They had to learn various activities along with helping the guru in domestic activities. All the teachings preached in Sanskrit, through group discussions, self-learning, etc. methods. A thorough understanding of nature and environment ensured as they were constantly in contact with it.

the guru guided students with all practical activities and skills. This included: cooking, cleaning, housekeeping, animal husbandry, farming, use of weapons and other battle ornaments, war tactics. Along with that, the study of Science, Mathematics, and Vedas and scriptures were provided. All these skills were necessarily important for the future requirements of their respective fields. The gurukula system succeeded in the goal of building a strong relationship between teachers and students. This ensured that students became responsible for themselves and their duties towards nature, environment, and nation after being a graduate.

The modern Indian education system

Major transformations in the system of Indian education had taken place with the emergence of the colonial era in India. The British government introduced the English language and other modern subjects. They introduced a system of classroom and western style of schooling. Hence, the bond between nature and students started fading away. The gurukula system got ban by the colonial government and declared inefficient. As a result, all the ancient methods of teachings vanished with time.

If we look at the present-day education system, it is pretty clear that the syllabus provided is bulky. Lacks practical skills for the students and makes them cramming machines. Emphasis on rote learning is taking place, and no job-oriented skills included in the syllabus. Though there are plenty of graduates in the country, there is such immense unemployment. This is also owing partly to a lack of practical and industry-based knowledge. Overall, it should take into consideration that furthermore transformations are need of the hour in the educational sector.

Plenty of research and development is the need of the hour to strengthen education sector. So it will become more efficient and useful for the students. It should ensure a promising career for the youth in their field of interest. Instead, it ends up making them a runner in the rat race of rote learning.

Challenges of the Present education system

If we take look at some major challenges of the education system in the country then we realize that the available design of the education syllabus is not up to date. Also, it isn’t according to the global scenarios and demand of modern technologies.

Even after being a graduate, youth of the country faces many challenges to get a foot in the door. On examining the patterns of primary schooling we reach a shocking ground reality. The excessive number of examinations and grading system has burdened a lot to the students of primary classes. This also hinders the creativity of the children in learning ages and ultimately promotes rote learning.

Even the prominent universities don’t have any adequate examination and curriculum processes. They keep following the same syllabus for a decade. And System has done no innovations to test practical implementation of the knowledge gained from their courses.

Rich becomes richer and poor poorer

When it comes to the matter of quality education, you have to pay a huge amount of fees to the private institutions. This ultimately promotes the ever-widening gap between rich and poor in society.

The government-aided or rural institutions are not able to provide a quality education if compared to the leading private institutions. So, to access the best quality of education and other facilities, people move towards private institutions. And the upper strata families of financial status can afford these. Thus, this strongly highlights the challenge that education is also becoming the pie for the rich only.

Even to get admissions into leading institutions of the country aspirants use to join private coaching classes. Demands of a higher amount of fees by them are not affordable for the lower and middle-class sections of the society.

The syllabus of the entrance examinations in some of the professional courses is not according to the syllabus designed by the educational boards for the higher and senior secondary classes. Rather, they demand a huge amount of knowledge covering a lengthy syllabus that can only be accessed through the books of private authors or the study materials of the private institutions.

All these challenges put a lot of pressure on the students. Most of the time they become so busy that they forget about their responsibilities towards society and the nation. As a result, their destiny ends up being a part of a never-ending rat race.  

Conclusion and solutions

To conclude the above views, one can understand that a major transformation and up-gradation is needed in the education sector. Although a new education policy has been brought out by the union government of India recently. But the result of the changes will only show up in the future — whether the change is enough or not.

The Indian education system should emphasize its steps towards the overall development of the students. Along with that realizing their responsibilities towards society and environment. The designing of curriculum must be according to the needs and demands of the present-day scenarios all over the globe. Also, it must be capable of providing adequate skills to youth of the country and ensuring them a good career perspective.

Furthermore, improvements are necessary for considering the financial status of all the sections of society. So that it should be accessible by all and the quality of education delivered would be equal for all. As no sense of inferiority would take place in any section of society, it will lead to better mutual understanding. With the skilled youth and workforce, the foundation of growth and development of the country will strengthen. As a result of these changes, one day the nation will surely ride on the chariots of prosperity.

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