Rural India: The key to propel education in India

The disruption of education caused by Covid-19 has adversely impacted rural India wherein children could not cope up with the normal owing to lack of adequate digital infrastructural support.

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Rural India: The key to propel education in India
Holistic educational growth can provide the much needed economic and social progress India requires to grow in the global arena. (Image courtesy - PTI)

In Short

  • There is a discernable gap between rural and urban education system for which rural children face many difficulties.
  • According to the Annual State Education Report survey, two thirds of rural children in India reported they did not receive learning materials or activities at all during the period of the pandemic.

Education in rural India is a catalyst to improve the economic and social well-being of the nation. According to the Annual State of Education Report (ASER) 2019, only 16% of children in Class 1 in 26 surveyed rural districts In India can read the text at the prescribed level, while almost 40% cannot even recognise letters.

To achieve the dream of Skilled India, there has to be an enhanced focus on upgrading the rural education system.

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The advent of the latest technology, industrialization, the need for skilled manpower across industries makes it all the more important now to invest in the education sector to shape the future workforce.

The disruption of education caused by Covid-19 has adversely impacted rural India wherein children could not cope up with the normal owing to lack of adequate digital infrastructural support.

There is a need to provide a holistic solution to ensure quality education at the grassroots level.

Every village has its own unique challenges. Government and corporates have to work closely with local communities to catalyse sustainable impact through system and behavioral change.

Children act as the change agents being at the core of these interventions and act as change agents.

Potential of education for development

Rural communities that are supported by a comprehensive education system allow their members to build their knowledge capacity, helping them cope with changing dynamics and make more informed decisions.

Prioritising education can encourage them to actively participate in the economic and cultural development of their communities. This further leads to sustained rural development, a better quality of life, and improved personal development. With the knowledge and power of education, these communities can flourish.

There is a discernable gap between the rural and urban education system for which rural children face many difficulties.

According to the Annual State Education Report survey, two-thirds of rural children in India reported they did not receive learning materials or activities at all during the period of the pandemic.

Additionally, one in three children had no learning activity during this time. Lack of tools, inadequate number of schools and infrastructure, financial burdens and low digital literacy hinder them from receiving the schooling they desire. Gender also plays a role in the education of rural children with high rates of withdrawal from school among girls. Communities must be made aware of and encouraged to adopt gender-free education systems built on the foundations of equality and quality.

Providing tools for change

The Government has brought out holistic educational programmes such as DIKSHA or SWAYAM that enhance educational opportunities for children through digital learning tools and content. Though this made huge strides, the Indian education system especially in rural areas, require impactful policies and programmes that focus on providing vital infrastructure that can enable continuous education for its members.

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While the government has provided continuous support, there is required intervention by community stakeholders such as corporate trusts, who can create a positive impact on these communities. Srinivasan Services Trust which is the social arm of a two-wheeler manufacturer is committed to eliminating imbalances in rural education in India by helping improve school infrastructure, mobilising quality teachers and offering career counselling.

In 11 districts across Tamil Nadu, they work closely with community members such as school teachers, students, parents and government agencies to ensure education for all. Understanding that appropriate infrastructure can truly propel education, the trust implemented improvement projects that transformed schools to meet basic infrastructure requirements such as clean classrooms, drinking water, toilet facilities, etc.

Anganwadis set up in these districts provided holistic growth for the children as they learnt cognitive skills, teamwork was encouraged to follow healthy practices and sanitation measures.

Providing quality education was the main driver for programmes undertaken by the trust which resulted in reduced dropouts, motivated students to learn more and promoted active participation from the community to follow a reformed and inclusive education system.

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With the second largest education system in the world, our country faces diverse challenges in ensuring education for all.

Government, Corporates and community members have to work together to implement solutions for a sustainable education system in rural India. As stated by the latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), there is a steady shift of students from private schools towards government schools.

The right education can only be achieved from the right infrastructure. Corporates play an integral role in supporting Government schools with smart learning facilities and better infrastructure. Improved learning infrastructure will encourage students to take interest in education and enable a change in mindset.

Holistic educational growth can provide the much needed economic and social progress India requires to grow in the global arena.

Authored by Swaran Singh IAS (R), Chairman, Srinivasan Services Trust (SST).

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