A key fundamental human right is the right to education. Education is something that every child needs. Government in India provides education from Kindergarten to 12th grade ranging from private, public and government.
All levels of education in India, from primary to higher education, are headed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of Higher Education - India and Department of School Education and Literacy). Schools and colleges receive heavy grants for making education possible. Indian students are now going for exchange programs abroad, excelling in maths, sciences and medicine and pursue some of the most renowned professions worldwide. The race and thirst for knowledge began in India years ago.
| Education in India | |
| Educational oversight HRD Minister State HRD Ministers | Ministry of HRD Arjun Singh M.A.A. Fatmi & Smt. D Purandeshwari |
| Rs.24,115 crore (2006-07) Rs. 28, 674 crore (2007-08) Rs. 34, 400 crore (2008-09) | |
| Literacy (2001) | 64.8 % |
| Enrollment1 (2001-02) | 189.2 million |
| 1. doesn't include kindergarten enrollment | |
While private schools like Modern, Delhi Public School, G.D. Goenka, Bal Bharti, International Schools are on the path to educate children, government schools in India are providing free education until higher secondary for the needy. With the aim to achieve 100% literacy, students are offered free meals, education, uniforms till their 12th grade. Early morning prayers, extra curricular activities, moral education are all part of the daily schooling.
SATimes looked deeper into Nagar Palika primary school run by NDMC in New Delhi to find out more. The school comprises of 8 staff members, 140 students and Head Mistress Srimati
Harbans Kaur. In the words of the HM, "Our main cause is education, lifelong learning and betterment of children who are the representatives of modern India." The students have received awards in the field of sports, yoga, science fairs and other talents. The Director of Education gives Cash awards to those who excel in examinations. Teachers attend annual seminars to update their skills. Awards for excellence are offered at State and National level to Teachers. The school celebrated Independence Day this year with speeches, music and dance performances by students for which preparations were done in advance.
This year they attended two workshops in the Rajiv Gandhi Institute with an aim of learning new methods of teaching and upgrading their knowledge to employ sophisticated teaching techniques. Participants were given certificates for successfully completing the workshops. It was a fun filled event with Bollywood quizzes and gifts being given. Constant efforts are to make education and learning fun.
In this year mid-day meal programme in schools has already reached out to 100 million children at the primary level of education according to Ministry of Education. According to statistics "The girls' enrolment has increased from 43.7 percent (2001) to 46.7 percent (2004) in the age group 6 -11 at primary level, while the gender gap has reduced from 19 to 6 percent point in the same period."
HRD Minister, Arjun Singh said earlier in an interview last year: 'We should take proper stock of things as we still have four to five months to go when the 11th Plan (2007-12) will be operationalized.' Some developments so far are:
- 8.24 crore children of primay schools and 3.50 crore children of upper primary schools covered under Midday Meal Scheme.
- 2758 Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalaya sanctioned
- 554 Navodaya Vidyalayas functioning in 20 districts with special concentration on regions having SC/ST majority
- 98% children have access at Primary School
- 2.46 lakh schools opened and 9.09 lakh teachers appointed
With constant planning and newer teaching methods being introduced and the dedication amongst students to excel, nothing is impossible. Minister Arjun Singh and the parliament also introduced the quota system to reserve seats for the under privileged making education possible for many. Enabling students to get education, including rural areas, equal education rights for the girl child, introducing moral education and nutritive meals, spreading knowledge and know how to the under privileged with none or minimum fee is what government has constantly strived for. By Implementing this in most schools and making the goal of 100% literacy a reality is indeed not far.
By Nikki Rattan
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