Inclusive Education in India

The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 highlights significant developments and persistent challenges in India's education system, revealing regional disparities in foundational literacy and numeracy. The report underscores the importance of inclusive education to bridge these gaps and ensure equitable learning opportunities for all.

India's education system has witnessed notable improvements in enrollment, foundational literacy, and multidisciplinary learning. However, challenges such as dropout rates, regional disparities, and outdated teaching methods persist. The ASER 2024 report provides critical insights into the current state of education, underscoring the need for systemic reforms. Drawing lessons from international best practices, India must focus on skill-based learning, teacher training, and equitable access to quality education to ensure long-term educational progress. The promotion of inclusive education is essential to bridge existing disparities and create a holistic learning ecosystem.

Enhanced Enrollment and Declining Dropout Rates

• Enrollment in pre-primary education increased, with 3-year-old enrollment rising from 68.1% (2018) to 77.4% (2024) (ASER 2024).
• Female enrollment surged by 38.4%, reaching 2.18 crore from 1.57 crore, promoting gender equality in education.
• Dropout rates for 15-16-year-olds declined from 13.1% (2018) to 7.9% (2024), with girls' dropout rates reducing to 8.1%.

Strengthened Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)

• The NIPUN Bharat Mission aims to ensure all children achieve FLN skills by Class 3 by 2026-27.
• Class 3 students' reading ability in government schools improved from 16.3% (2022) to 23.4% (2024), as per ASER 2024.

• Structured pedagogy and teacher training initiatives are improving early learning outcomes.

Greater Emphasis on Multidisciplinary Education

• NEP 2020 promotes flexible subject choices, arts-integrated learning, and interdisciplinary education.
• Introduction of four-year undergraduate degrees, multiple entry-exit options, and an academic bank of credits to enhance learning flexibility.
• CUET (Common University Entrance Test) has standardized access to over 250 universities across India.

Expansion of Higher Education Opportunities for Marginalized Communities

• Government initiatives such as EWS reservations and increased SC/ST/OBC seats have enhanced access to higher education.
• Enrollment of SC/ST students in higher education increased by 44% (2014-2023) (AISHE 2023).
• GATI (Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions) promotes women’s participation in STEM fields, with female enrollment exceeding 40%.

Global Recognition and University Rankings

• Indian institutions have improved their global standing in QS and Times Higher Education rankings.
• IISc Bengaluru ranked 96^th in World University Rankings 2025, securing a place among the top 100 institutions for computer science.
• India has two institutions in the top 50 and seven in the top 100 of the QS Asia Rankings 2025, strengthening its presence in Asia International Culture Research University collaborations.

Promotion of Multilingual Education

• NEP 2020 promotes education in regional languages, improving accessibility.
• AICTE introduced engineering textbooks in 12 Indian languages for rural students.
• NCERT is developing textbooks in 22 languages to enhance inclusivity.

Enhancement of Teacher Training

• Programs like PM eVidya and ARPIT are upskilling teachers across disciplines.
• DIKSHA platform provides digital teacher training to over 2 crore educators.

High Dropout Rates in Secondary and Higher Education

• While primary enrollment is nearly universal, dropout rates rise sharply in secondary and higher education, particularly among girls and socio-economically disadvantaged groups.
• Factors such as financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, cultural biases, and early marriages contribute significantly to this issue.
• According to ASER 2024, the dropout rate among 15-16-year-olds stands at 7.9%, with girls dropping out at a slightly higher rate of 8.1%.

Teacher Shortages and Quality Issues

• India faces a severe shortage of qualified teachers, leading to a compromised learning experience for students.
• Many schools, particularly in rural areas, rely on untrained or underqualified educators, further affecting educational outcomes.
• Teacher absenteeism, outdated teaching methods, and excessive non-teaching duties (such as election work and census duties) weaken the learning process.
• As per Ministry of Education (MoE) data, around 10 lakh teaching positions across government schools in elementary, primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels remain vacant.

Inequities in Access to Quality Education

• A stark divide exists between urban and rural education, as well as between government and private schools.
• Urban schools have better access to infrastructure, digital tools, and qualified teachers, whereas many rural schools lack basic facilities such as libraries, science labs, and internet connectivity.
• ASER 2024 highlights a decline in government school enrollment from 72.9% in 2022 to 66.8% in 2024, indicating a preference for private schools due to perceived quality differences.
• Only 66% of schools have functional playgrounds, while usable girls' toilets have improved but still stand at just 72%.

Rote Learning and Exam-Oriented System

• The Indian education system continues to emphasize rote memorization rather than conceptual understanding and critical thinking.
• The pressure of high-stakes examinations such as Board exams, JEE, and NEET discourages creativity and innovation, restricting the scope of skill-based learning.
• The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 aims to transition towards competency-based education, but its implementation has been slow and inconsistent.

Inadequate Digital Infrastructure and the Digital Divide

• Despite growing digital learning initiatives, many students in rural areas lack access to smartphones, computers, and stable internet connectivity, exacerbating the urban-rural digital divide.
• ASER 2024 data indicates that while 90% of 14-16-year-olds have smartphone access, only 57% use them for educational purposes, reflecting gaps in digital literacy and guided learning.
• The BharatNet project aims to provide high-speed internet to 2.5 lakh gram panchayats, but progress has been sluggish.

Skill Gap and Mismatch Between Education and Employability

• Despite rising higher education enrollment, a significant proportion of graduates remain unemployable due to a lack of practical skills.
• The curriculum often does not align with industry requirements, leading to low workforce productivity and limited employment opportunities.
• The Economic Survey 2023-24 highlighted that only 51.25% of the country’s youth is deemed employable, underscoring the need for vocational training and industry-academia collaboration.

Lack of Research and Development Investment

• India lags behind in university-driven research, with most R&D activities being conducted in government laboratories rather than educational institutions.
• A lack of collaboration between universities and industries results in low patent filings and innovation.
• Funding for research is inadequate, and many PhD scholars struggle due to financial constraints.
• India invests only 0.64% of its GDP in R&D, significantly lower than countries like South Korea (4.8%) and China (2.4%).

Read This Article Here: Revamping Higher Education in India

Expanding Vocational and Skill-Based Education

• The education system should emphasize skill development aligned with industry needs to enhance employability.
• Introducing compulsory vocational training from Class 6 can help bridge the skills gap.
• Collaboration with NSDC, ITIs, and private firms can offer hands-on experience through internships and apprenticeships.
• A well-defined national credit framework should facilitate seamless movement between academic and vocational education.

Enhancing Teacher Training and Pedagogical Practices

• Teachers should receive continuous professional development and greater autonomy in designing learning strategies.
• A blended learning model integrating digital tools with traditional teaching should be mandated in all schools.
• National and state-level mentorship programs can provide guidance from experienced educators to newer teachers.
• The DIKSHA platform should be expanded with AI-driven personalized training modules for teachers.

Reforming Assessments to Reduce Rote Learning

• The focus of assessments should shift from memorization to conceptual and analytical skills.
• Board and entrance examinations should prioritize application-based questions over rote learning.
• A modular evaluation system, assessing students multiple times a year, can help reduce exam pressure.
• Open-book assessments and project-based learning can encourage real-world problem-solving.
• The effective implementation of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 should emphasize experiential and multidisciplinary learning.

Expanding Digital Infrastructure to Bridge the Digital Divide

• BharatNet and PM e-Vidya initiatives should be scaled up to provide high-speed internet access to rural schools.
• Smart classrooms, digital libraries, and interactive boards must be integrated into schools to enhance learning.
• Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can help distribute affordable tablets and laptops to students in government schools.
• AI-powered adaptive learning platforms should be developed to deliver personalized education.
• Schools should offer digital literacy programs for parents to ensure effective technology use at home.

Making Higher Education More Accessible and Globally Competitive

• Universities should implement flexible, multidisciplinary degree programs as outlined in NEP 2020.
• Expanding the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) can enable students to transfer credits across institutions.
• Foreign universities should be encouraged to establish campuses in India to enhance global exposure.
• More scholarships and low-interest student loans should be made available to support economically weaker students.

Increasing Public Investment in Education

• The government should raise education expenditure to at least 6% of GDP, as recommended by NEP 2020.
• A performance-based funding model should be adopted, rewarding states that demonstrate improved learning outcomes.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds should be channeled toward education, particularly for underprivileged students.
• A transparent system for tracking fund utilization should be introduced to ensure accountability.

A robust education system is the foundation of a progressive nation. India must prioritize skill-based learning, teacher training, and equitable access to resources to bridge existing gaps. By fostering innovation, inclusivity, and global competitiveness, India can empower its youth and drive long-term socio-economic growth.

Who is the father of education in India?

• Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is often regarded as the father of education in India.

How much of India's GDP spent of education?

• India spends around 4.1%-4.6% of its GDP on education.

What is the 5-3-3-4 education system?

• It is a structure for school education in India, which was introduced under the National Education Policy, 2020.

• It replaces the existing 10+2 system.

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