Primary education-current scenario in India

Abstract

This paper tries to review the attainment towards Millennium Development Goal (MDG) - to achieve universalisation of primary education at the global level in general and that of India in particular. It tries to analyze the current education scenario in India and proposes some of the practical and empirically tested solutions. Education is essential not only for the success of individual but also for the success of countries across the globe. It has thus moved to the court heart of interest to invest in human capital; not only for responsible politicians but also for the concerned civil society. For any nation, the level and quality of education is one of the most significant parameter for development. Literacy in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has a right to a basic education, and that it should be free and available to all. Infact, the education is the key to achieving all of the eight MDGs. It has also been advocated that education leads towards the reduction in poverty and inequality. It chalks out the way for sustained economic growth. It is very essential to assess the quantum of problem prima-facie before proposing the solutions to the same. So, as per the 2001census base, if we have to reduce the illiteracy from 35 per cent to 25 per cent by the year 2008, at least 15 million people need to be educated per year. But the current statistics shows that we are not educating more than 7 or 8 million people per year. Some corrective steps are required to be taken promptly so as to achieve the set target of universalisation of primary education by 2015. The total expenditure has estimated on an average Rs. 1000 per month per child in a Govt. School. With this hefty expenditure by Governments, we are not able to get quality out put within the existing system. School Voucher is a special scholarship that empowers the poor with choice. It is a coupon of a specific amount that can be used to fund a child’s education at any school chosen by the parent. Globally, it is estimated that up to dollar the sign 10 billion per year additional external support will be required to universalize primary education. Voucher System has been in practice in many countries and there is enough evidence to demonstrate that it is working effectively and could bring a change within a very short span of time resulting in quality output in the education system. We need to implement this system in INDIA without any further delay so as to achieve the aim of universalisation of Primary Education.