The purpose of education is to prepare a person for life by giving him the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual tools he needs to face life's obstacles with courage, confidence, and the ability to see things from a wider angle. The main goal of education is to provide people with the skills they need to live meaningful and productive lives. The disparity in educational quality, which often reflects prosperity, is one of the major issues facing the system of education in the modern world. Education is seen as essential for a person to succeed in society. This study paper's primary goal is to comprehend the issues with the Indian educational system.

Introduction
As an Indian college student, you have probably encountered the difficulties and annoyances of our educational system. The trip through Indian schooling is frequently a hard one, with crammed primary school classrooms, strong board exam pressure, and now the looming uncertainty of employment after graduation. However, you are not fighting this battle alone.

Every year, millions of graduates having degrees in engineering, medicine, information technology, and many other disciplines are produced by the educational system in India. Since more than 35 percent of the population is under fifteen, India's education system faces many difficulties. Although the actual spending on education was only about four percent of GDP, successive governments had promised to raise this amount to six percent. There is a staffing shortage in the best business schools, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and universities.

Legislations That Provide For Law On Education

The Indian Constitution has several clauses about education. The right to education is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, but it is emphasized in a number of its provisions, which also spell out the state's obligations to support education. Furthermore, a key piece of legislation that carries out the constitutional promise to education is the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

Here are some significant clauses from the Indian Constitution that deal with education:

• Article 21-A - Right to Education:
  • Article 21-A was inserted into the Constitution by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002. It makes the right to education a fundamental right for children in the age group of 6 to 14 years.
  • It declares that the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children in the specified age group.
• Article 45 - Provision for Early Childhood Care and Education:
  • Article 45 of the Directive Principles of State Policy states that the state shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.
• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):
  • Several Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV of the Constitution emphasize the importance of education. For example, Article 41 directs the state to provide public assistance to ensure the right to education and Article 46 promotes the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections.
• Article 15(5) - Special Provision for Backward Classes:
  • Article 15(5) allows the state to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in educational institutions.
• Article 350A - Facilities for Instruction in Mother Tongue:
  • Article 350A provides for the facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minorities.
• Article 29(1) - Protection of Interests of Minorities:
  • Article 29(1) protects the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
• Article 30 - Right of Minorities to Establish and Administer Educational Institutions:
  • Article 30(1) guarantees the right of minorities, whether based on religion or language, to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
• Article 51A - Fundamental Duties:
  • Article 51A(f) emphasizes the fundamental duty of every citizen to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture, including its educational institutions.

It is important to note that the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, implemented the constitutional commitment to education and provides specific provisions for ensuring free and compulsory education for children. The RTE Act lays down the norms and standards for schools, defines the responsibilities of the government, local authorities, and schools, and specifies the duties of teachers and parents.

Position In The Constitution

• In Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka (1992)
  The Supreme Court ruled that even though the right to education is not distinctly mentioned in the Constitution, it can be deciphered through the Preamble and a bare reading of DPSP in Part IV.
   
• Unnikrishanan v. State of Andhra Pradesh
  The Supreme Court in 1993 in this case opined the necessity of the right to education as a fundamental right. Although, the court denied the opinion in the Mohini Jain case that RTE can be demanded at all levels. It stated that one cannot avail of the right to education provided by the constitutional levels.
   
• Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust v. Union of India (2014)
  The court discussed whether the institutions under Article 30 are obligated to reserve 25% of seats for free and compulsory education to the backward group. And ruled that minority groups can use the directions as regulatory measures but are not obligated to adhere to them.

 

Right To Education Act, 2009

This legislation makes it compulsory that every child between the ages of 6 to 14 years has the right to free and compulsory education. This is stated as per the 86th Constitution Amendment Act via Article 21A. The Right to Education Act seeks to give effect to this amendment. This Act provides for free education to all the children managed by School Management Committees and also makes it necessary for private schools to admit at least 25% of the children in schools without any fee.

Additionally, it forbids any unrecognized schools from operating, and it stipulates that there will be no donation or capitation fees, as well as no parent or child interviews for admittance. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act of 2009 additionally specifies that no child may be held back, expelled, or made to pass a board exam until primary school is completed. Ex-students can receive supplementary education to bring them up to speed with students their age.

Problems In The Indian Education System;

The following is a list of the possible problems with the Indian educational system:

1. Educating Characteristics in a Poor State: The majority of the nation's governmental training facilities and educational institutions have poor teaching standards. The lack of teachers, poorly developed curriculum and instructional methods, poorly organized teaching-learning methods, inappropriate communication between teachers and students, a lack of cutting-edge and inventive techniques, and financial difficulties are the main causes of the deficient teaching methods. Because of these issues, the quality of instruction provided in educational institutions has not increased and actions must be taken for it to be beneficial.
    
2. Traditional Teaching Techniques: Teachers in educational institutions stick to the tried-and-true techniques of instruction, avoiding the use of technology or audio-visual aids, especially in the case of nursery schools. Technology and the Internet are essential components of the educational system, especially in rural areas. The rural people's ability to learn will be aided by the investment made in the technology infrastructure. By embracing cutting-edge teaching and learning strategies, acknowledging the importance of technology, and finding effective problem-solving techniques, testing and assessment systems must become more imaginative.
    
3. Privatization: The need for the introduction of private higher education is a recent development that is essential to maintaining excellence, inventiveness, and flexibility. It is required by the globalization and liberalization of the economy. In India, governmental and private organizations operate side by side. Approximately half of higher education in India is provided by private institutions, mainly on an unaided, expensive basis. Private providers are highly motivated to reduce prices by negotiating the quality of education offered at their institutions, as it serves their goal to maximize profit.
    
4. Excessive Emphasis on Grades: Grades are considered to be the primary indicator of a student's intelligence and performance in the Indian educational system. Extracurricular activities are also seen as a diversion from academics. This theory is based on the notion that only professionals are excellent, such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and chartered accountants, and that everyone wants their children to follow in their footsteps. In India, one needs to receive 99.9% to do it. This is not the case; instead, educators ought to support students in pursuing their interests as careers. To mention a few, there is music and art.
    
5. Ignoring Overall Growth: The fact that the Indian educational system is designed primarily to transfer theoretical information presents one of its main obstacles. The system made us study it even though we all knew we would never utilize it in real life. However, ed-tech platforms are helping to solve this issue by highlighting the progress that students have made overall. Modern teaching techniques, enabled by technological advancements, prioritize experiential learning, real-world exposure, and the cultivation of soft skills alongside subject-matter expertise. Experiences in education can now be customized and adapted to fit the requirements of a particular child. This was not feasible in the traditional educational system.
    
6. Students Face Significant Academic Pressure and Stress: The stress level of pupils is another factor that limits the benefits of the Indian education system. Students are frequently anxious and depressed as a result of the never-ending quest to do better and get higher grades. The scholastic progress of Indian pupils is impeded by social constraints and academic worry. Serious losses like suicides and mental illnesses are also increased by it. According to statistics, 10,159 students killed themselves in 2018. These startling statistics reveal a great deal about the pain Indian students experience in the alleged "rat race" for admittance, success, and employment.

Indian Education System And Other Countries Education Systems- A Series Of Difference

Memorization and rote learning are highly emphasized in the Indian educational system. This is evident in the way subjects are taught, where learning facts and formulas is prioritized above cultivating critical thinking abilities. Furthermore, tests and test scores are highly valued in the Indian educational system, where students are frequently assessed only on their exam achievement rather than their total performance over the academic year.

On the other hand, critical thinking, problem-solving, and autonomous learning are highly valued in international educational systems, such as those found in the US, UK, and Australia. Students are encouraged to ask questions and voice their ideas in these more participatory, discussion-based classes. Furthermore, examinations and test scores are given less weight in foreign educational systems than a student's overall achievement over the academic year.

The curriculum is another significant distinction between the educational systems in India and other countries. The national government of India sets the curriculum, which is followed by all schools in the nation. This curriculum places limited emphasis on topics like art, music, and physical education in favor of science, math, and languages. On the other hand, curricula in foreign educational systems are more varied and place more of a focus on topics like music, art, and physical education. Furthermore, a greater variety of elective courses is frequently offered in foreign educational systems, enabling students to follow their passions and interests.

International education systems are recognized for their emphasis on research and innovation. It is encouraged for students to take part in research projects and experiment with novel concepts and technology. Students can take use of the well-equipped research labs that many foreign universities have to get practical experience in their subject of study. On the other hand, the majority of students in the Indian educational system are more concerned with finishing their assignments and passing tests than they are with research and invention.

When it comes to utilizing technology in the classroom, foreign educational institutions take a more sophisticated approach. They employ cutting-edge teaching strategies that can improve students' learning outcomes, such as virtual classrooms, online instruction, and digital textbooks. Moreover, online learning is more advanced in foreign educational systems, and artificial intelligence and machine learning are being used to improve instruction. On the other hand, many Indian schools and universities continue to use conventional teaching methods, meaning that the country's education system is still catching up in terms of using technology in the classroom.

Education Versus Employment

• Inequality and Accessibility: The uneven distribution of access to high-quality education is one of the major problems facing India's educational system. Adequate infrastructure and resources for education are frequently lacking in rural areas and underprivileged groups. It is still very difficult to guarantee that every segment of society has equal access to education.
   
• Obsolete Curriculum: Many educational institutions still use curricula that do not always reflect the changing needs of business. The current curriculum has to be updated and modernized immediately to provide students with the necessary information and abilities to meet the needs of the labor market.
   
• Learning Quality: Although India has a large number of educational institutions, the quality of education offered varies widely. Problems including inadequate infrastructure, antiquated teaching techniques, and a teacher shortage make it difficult to provide high-quality education, which ultimately results in unemployment.
   
• Skill Gap: Industry-specific knowledge, soft skills, and practical abilities are frequently overlooked in the traditional educational system. Among graduates, this disparity causes a high percentage of underemployment or unemployment.
   
• Absence of Vocational Training: In India, vocational education and training have not gotten enough emphasis. Vocational talents are often undervalued in favor of academic credentials. Increasing the quality of vocational training programs can close the skill gap and offer alternative career paths.

There are several other factors that the Indian education system lacks which ultimately results in the unemployment of the graduated students.

Suggestions For Improving Education System In India

1. Educator Training: A nation's educational system is characterized by more than just the methodology used. All parties involved in the system are educators or teachers. Without implementers or educators, even the most well-planned curriculum would be ineffective. For this reason, it is crucial to ensure that they receive proper training and equipment. To guarantee that learning is successful, they should understand topics outside of their typical area of expertise. It is recommended that they receive reinforcement training so they may pick up fresh, efficient teaching techniques. The educators must be taken into consideration when discussing how to enhance the Indian educational system.
    
2. Include Technology: Today, nearly everything we do is impacted by various technology developments. It is included in the education sector as well for this reason. The goal of these developments is to make learning more efficient and productive. These days, a useful technological innovation is the student management system. This system is an Internet application that aids in the automation of routine educational procedures. It can handle enrolment and admissions processing, for instance. A few management technologies can also be used to facilitate communication between educators and students. Additionally, some tools provide online tests and classes. Because it provides a variety of services, this tool can be thought of as a one-stop shop. It handles everything from employee payroll processing to admissions.
    
3. Creative Methods: The current globe has advanced due to the development of fresh and contemporary technology. Opportunities for economic growth, better health and nutrition, better service delivery, better learning, curriculum and instruction, and sociocultural advancements are all made possible by it. It is necessary to make an effort to make novel techniques that are easier to implement in the educational system.
    
4. Student-centered learning and dynamic methods: Higher education approaches must center on learning domains: learning to do, learning to be, and learning to become. Educators and educational establishments must implement cutting-edge curriculum and teaching techniques, as well as fresh ideas and tactics to enable fostering student learning and assisting with their personal development.
    
5. Multicultural Programs: There are many distinct civilizations, castes, religions, racial and ethnic groups, arts, professions, and other aspects of Indian life. Through education, individuals will be able to learn about and comprehend one another's cultures and backgrounds, enabling them to live in harmony and refrain from treating one another unfairly. Gaining knowledge about different civilizations' backgrounds will make it possible for individuals to collaborate and function as a team.

Conclusion
Every individual needs education to improve his or her life circumstances. Having a high-quality education can help people find employment, become more aware of different issues, instill morality, ethics, decency, and grace in themselves, and effectively contribute to the development of their personalities. The Indian education system has faced challenges in the modern era, including low teaching quality, budgetary limitations, traditional teaching methods, privatization, inadequate facilities and infrastructure, and a failure to adequately reward creativity, original thought, research, and innovation. The difficulties include a diverse schooling system, the influence of political variables, economic challenges, and the absence of moral principles.

A learning society, industry-academia connections, incentives for educators and researchers, creative practices, resource mobilization, individuality, privatization of higher education, quality development, world-class education, personality development, status of academic research studies, accessibility to scholarships, equitable quality assurance system, expansion of university numbers, assessments and evaluation methods, and high-tech libraries are some of the recommendations put forth to improve the nation's educational system.

development of the information era, student-centered learning and innovative approaches, public-private collaboration, offering need-based, career-focused training, global cooperation, in the direction of a new vision, cross-cultural initiatives, and an improvement strategy for quality.

Written By: Prabhat Tomar, 5th Year, BBA LLB