The Indian education system requires a complete overhaul and a holistic approach to creating a new paradigm of education. Since Independence, successive governments have constituted committees, formulated policies and established institutions to improve education. However, these efforts have translated into reality only to a very limited extent. The result has been the commercialisation of education and the mushrooming growth of private schools and institutions.
Around 50 per cent of primary schools are managed by non-government organisations, including trusts and societies. The situation of many primary and upper-primary schools, as well as secondary and higher-secondary institutions, remains pathetic. Their inability to attract students is a clear indication of the crisis facing government schools. Students are increasingly compelled to approach private institutions in search of quality education. Government schools, even today, often lack the capacity to provide quality education and, in many cases, focus primarily on preparing students for examinations rather than developing their overall capabilities.
The condition of many schools is so grave that they lack basic amenities, including water supply and the infrastructure required for effective teaching and learning. The quality of teachers is another serious concern. The attitude, language and behaviour of some teachers, particularly in rural areas, are questionable and can adversely affect the learning environment. A teacher is expected not only to impart knowledge but also to inspire, mentor and encourage students. It is also the primary duty of a teacher to instil values in students and nurture them into responsible citizens of the country.
Against this backdrop, a few young people associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and other youth groups have begun taking up the issue. When they visit schools, they witness the pathetic condition of infrastructure, teaching methods and the approach of some teachers. Their observations highlight the urgent need for reform and greater accountability within the education system.
These youth are not always welcomed in many villages, and their efforts may sometimes face resistance. Nevertheless, their initiative deserves appreciation, particularly from students who welcome such efforts. Their decision to contribute to nation-building by beginning with the reform of education is a positive and welcome step. Education is the foundation upon which the future of the country is built. If the necessary changes are brought about in the education system, these young people can subsequently turn their attention to other pressing national issues.
After education, the health system is perhaps the most vulnerable sector requiring urgent attention. In many respects, the condition of healthcare is even more pathetic than that of education. Numerous hospitals, particularly in rural areas, lack basic facilities, infrastructure and adequate resources. Strengthening these institutions could protect health and save the lives of millions of poor and vulnerable villagers.
The initiative of young people to identify problems at the grassroots and work towards reform should therefore be encouraged. It is encouraging that the youth of our nation have awakened and are trying to awaken the conscience of the entire nation by shifting the agenda from Hindu-Muslim divisions to real development and pressing issues such as education. Nation-building cannot be achieved through policies alone; it requires committed citizens who are willing to visit communities, understand their problems and work for practical solutions. Reforming education must be the first priority, followed by strengthening healthcare and addressing other fundamental challenges facing the country.