Despite various educational reforms and policies, India’s school education system is facing multidimensional challenges. India’s school education system has undergone significant changes, which are facing challenges due to the long pedagogical path and the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Despite several reforms, there remains a critical need for radical change to address these issues. This change aims to provide students with skills in line with real-world demands and life milestones and enhance readiness for modern challenges.
The Kothari Commission laid the foundation for uniformity in school education and emphasized the need for educational reforms. It recommended free and compulsory education up to the age of 14, which set the stage for future reforms in India’s education system. The policy focused on quality and access to education, aiming to improve equity and reduce regional disparities. It introduced a uniform curriculum across the country and emphasized vocational education for practical skill development. The scheme aimed to improve nutritional standards and increase school attendance. The SSA aimed to universalize primary education and eliminate gender and social inequalities. The RTE Act made education free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 14, ensuring education for all children. The NCF 2005 aimed to make education more relevant to real-world needs by promoting a constructivist approach to learning. It encouraged project-based learning and critical thinking, moving away from rote learning.
The Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan integrated scheme aimed to improve the quality and access to education through a holistic approach. It provided grants to schools for infrastructure, teacher training, and inclusive education for marginalized students. NEP 2020 proposed transformational changes such as early childhood education, vocational training, and the elimination of rigid streams after Class 10. It emphasizes multidisciplinary learning and flexibility in education pathways aimed at holistic development. One of the multidimensional challenges facing India’s school education system is the quality disparities across regions. There is a significant gap in the quality of education between urban and rural areas in India, where many rural schools lack infrastructure and qualified teachers. According to ASER 2018, only 50% of children in rural areas can read basic texts, highlighting the disparities in the quality of education. The education system often focuses on theoretical knowledge, leaving students unprepared for the practical job skills needed in the workforce.
Graduates with degrees in engineering and technology often lack job-specific skills, leading to high unemployment rates. The system still focuses heavily on rote learning, leading to limited critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. In ICSE and CBSE, exams focus on memorizing content rather than application-based learning, which hinders creative thinking. Teacher training gaps: There is a significant gap in teacher training and professional development, which affects the quality of teaching. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has been criticized for failing to adequately address teacher shortages and quality training. Despite the growth of digital education, technological infrastructure remains inadequate, especially in rural and remote areas. For example, the Digital India programme has made progress, but internet penetration and device access in rural schools are still low, limiting students’ exposure to modern educational tools.
The need for radical change in India’s school education system demands alignment with real-world skills. Radical change could focus on equipping students with practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge, aligning education with real-world demands. Finland’s education system emphasizes practical skills and hands-on learning, resulting in greater student engagement and employability. Radical reforms could provide flexible education pathways, allowing students to pursue different learning paths based on their interests. Germany’s dual education system offers a balance between vocational education and academic education, improving employability. A shift to a more student-centric approach would promote creative thinking, problem-solving, and critical reasoning in students. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program focuses on the holistic development of students, including creativity, culture, and cognitive skills.
Radical change could move away from high-stakes exams and adopt more continuous assessment methods, reducing exam pressure on students. Singapore has implemented continuous assessment strategies to measure student performance, reduce stress, and focus on learning outcomes. Radical change could also incorporate technology-driven learning into the curriculum, increasing access and engagement. Innovative solutions beyond traditional reforms, such as incorporating skills-based education. Introducing vocational education and skills-based education at an early stage will equip students with practical abilities, making them ready for the workforce. South Korea integrates technical education into its curriculum from middle school, creating a skilled workforce. A combination of offline and online learning could bridge the educational divide, increasing engagement and access.
Blended learning in schools allows students in remote areas to access digital content while benefiting from face-to-face interaction. Collaboration between the government and the private sector can enhance infrastructure, training, and resources for schools, especially in disadvantaged areas. The British Council works with Indian states to improve teacher training and introduce global teaching standards. Focusing on students’ mental health, emotional intelligence, and overall well-being will lead to better learning outcomes. For example, Japan has integrated mental health education into its curriculum, which has improved students’ well-being and performance. Localized education models: Tailoring education systems to suit regional needs and cultural contexts will improve engagement and relevance.
India’s school education system needs radical reforms to address long-standing challenges and improve outcomes. Drawing inspiration from global best practices such as Finland’s student-centered approach and South Korea’s vocational training, India can achieve inclusive and sustainable educational outcomes coupled with NEP 2020’s vision for a future-ready workforce.
