What is wrong with the Indian education system?

The Indian education system is facing many problems and challenges that need to be addressed urgently. Some of the major issues are:

• Low expenditure on education: The Indian government spends only about 3 percent of its GDP on education, which is much lower than the global average of 4.4 percent. This leads to inadequate funding for infrastructure, teacher training, curriculum development, and quality assurance. More funds should be allocated for the improvement and expansion of the education system in India.
• High dropout rate: According to the UDISE 2021 report, the annual dropout rate of secondary school students in India was 14.6 percent. This means that many students do not complete their basic education and miss out on the opportunities and benefits of higher education. The dropout rate is especially high among girls, rural, and marginalized students, who face various barriers such as poverty, social norms, lack of access, and safety issues. The government should take measures to ensure universal retention and completion of school education for all children.
• Learning poverty: The World Bank defines learning poverty as the inability of children to attain minimum reading proficiency and correlates this with the proportion of children who are out of school. In India, learning poverty has increased from 54 percent to 70 percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted the education of millions of children, who have lost access to regular schooling and online learning. The pandemic has also widened the existing inequalities in education, as children from poor, rural, and disadvantaged backgrounds have suffered more than others. The government should implement effective strategies to mitigate the learning loss and bridge the learning gap caused by the pandemic.
• Lack of quality and innovation: The Indian education system is often criticized for being rote-based, exam-oriented, and outdated. The system does not foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students, which are essential for the 21st century. The system also does not cater to the diverse needs and interests of students, who have different abilities, aspirations, and backgrounds. The government should reform the curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment methods to make them more relevant, engaging, and learner-centered. The government should also promote innovation and excellence in education, by encouraging research, collaboration, and best practices.