EDUCATION – THE FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE Roy Chacko Getting educated is one of the most valuable achievements that a person can attain in his life. Education, a joint responsibility of the Union and the State governments, evolves a new social and economic pattern for the country. Education, the key to all processes of human development, strives to raise the standard of intelligence and understanding, patriotic fervour and nationalistic spirit. It is the very root of a cultured and civilised society. The aim of schooling is not only to impart knowledge but also to make students efficient and responsible citizens. Learning tries to identify and foster the hidden talents of the students which, in future, enable them to solve the problems of life creatively and effectively.
India is firmly committed to provide education for all with compulsory and free primary education to children below 14 years.
It is committed to earmark about 6 per cent of GDP for the education sector beginning this year. Fifty per cent of the outlay will be spent on primary education.
It is recorded that India’s system of education has produced a high level of trained manpower. The elementary education system in India with nearly 8 lakh schools is one of the largest in the world. While nearly 19 lakh teachers are teaching the 11 crore odd primary students (classes I-V), more than 12 lakh teachers are engaged in educating nearly 4 crore upper primary pupils (classes VI-VIII). There are more than 36,000 teachers for 875 Central Schools in India. Navodaya Vidyalayas meant primarily for providing free education including boarding for poor children from rural areas number more than 400. NCERT is an apex resource organisation to assist and advise the Central and State governments on academic matters related to schoolchildren. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also been making constant endeavours to provide quality education and development of holistic individuals.
In addition to the mutual love and respect, an ideal student is expected to love the institution for it is her/her home of learning. Concern and care for the student is also expected from an ideal teacher. Like a mason contributing his part by the work in construction of a building, a teacher moulds the future by teaching the students.
Presently, there are nearly 71 lakh students in our 182 universities, 40 institutions deemed to be universities and in the affiliated colleges, nearly 10,000 in number. According to the latest report of the Education Department, 80 per cent of the total enrolment was in the three faculties - Arts, Science and Commerce. The remaining 20 per cent were absorbed by professional faculties like, law, engineering, technology, medicine, education, agriculture and veterinary science. The enrolment of women students in higher education is the highest in Kerala (53.6 per cent) followed by Punjab (51.5 per cent), Goa (51.4 per cent), Delhi and Pondicherry (45.3 per cent each), Manipur (43.4 per cent), Jammu and Kashmir (40.6 per cent), and, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu (40.1 per cent each). The national average of women enrolment in higher education is 34.6 per cent, according to the latest report.
The National Open School (NOS) which was established as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 1989 now has a network of 900 study centres. It mainly caters to the educational needs of the school dropouts and socially and economically backward learners. With 346 study centres, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is offering 43 programmes to about 1.63 lakh students annually in its distance education programme.
When general education refines our cultural tastes, inherent abilities and positive attitude towards environment, technical studies give a thorough practice also. There has been a phenomenal expansion of technical education facilities in the country since Independence. ITIs, polytechnics, engineering colleges, management institutes, IITs and Indian Institute of Science and Technology Development Mission together play a vital role in educating the science students.
The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) was given a statutory status through an Act of Parliament in 1987. The main function of the Council includes proper planning and co-ordinated development of technical education in the country. It issues regulations for granting approval to technical institutions and courses. Technical education has a great potential in adding value to product and services contributing to the national economy and for improving the equality of life of the people. On the other hand, without general education, technical education is something like a huge building with a weak foundation.
The National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986 is a landmark in the history of Indian education. It envisaged improvement and expansion of education in all sectors and elimination of disparities. NPE also emphasises that education must play a positive and interventionist role in correcting social and regional imbalances in empowering women and in securing a rightful place for the minorities.
The world of social life gets illumined if it is lighted by the flame of education. The fruit of old age can only be enjoyed if the plant of youth is well cared for and looked after. Students are the great potential strength, resource and energy of our country. If their energy and talents are directed in a proper, constructive channel, the nation will benefit tremendously. Students on their part must be committed to their duties and responsibilities to contribute their valuable part for an all-round development of the country. (keralamonitor.com)
