Expressing concern over the prevalent education system in India, Vice President Hamid Ansari on Wednesday noted that learning level of school students here is far below corresponding grade levels in other countries.
“The learning outcomes for children in Indian schools are far below corresponding class levels in several other countries,” he said, speaking at the Platinum Jubilee celebration of the Hindi Vidya Prachar Samiti and the Hindi High School at Ghatkopar here.
“The reason for poor quality lies in the weak teaching process, that is neither child friendly nor adopts a child-centred approach to curriculum,” Ansari said.
The capacity, motivation and accountability of teachers to deliver quality education need to be critically and urgently addressed at primary, secondary and higher education levels, he added.
Ansari observed that despite higher levels of enrolments and a massive increase in physical infrastructure, the value added by formal education is still weak. He also expressed concern over the steep drop out rate after the elementary level.
“Dropout rates continue to be high, especially among socially and economically marginalised groups,” he said, indicating that this adversely affected the process of inclusive growth.
The mean years of schooling in India at 5.12 years is well below other emerging market economies such as China (8.17 years) and Brazil (7.54) and significantly below the average for all developing countries at 7.09 years, he said.
Education acts as an integrative force in society, imparting values that foster social cohesion and national identity, Ansari said adding that keeping this in mind the Government has focused on the expansion of education as well as significantly improving the quality of education, with a stress on skill development.
Ansari lauded the Hindi Vidya Prachar Samiti for its efforts in promoting education through its renowned schools and colleges.
It was 75 years ago that the seed of Hindi Vidya Prachar Samiti was sown by visionary late Nand Kishor Singh ‘Jairam ji’, a postman attached to the Ghatkopar Post Office in 1930s.
He was the lone survivor of a military unit who fought in Turkey during World War I. Upon returning home he was convinced that the only way to alleviate poverty is through education.
He diligently collected small amounts as four or eight annas and formed the Hindi Vidya Prachar Samiti, which founded a primary school named Hindi High School on August 15, 1938 with 12 students and a teacher.
The institution has since grown manifolds and acquired accolades, including a NAAC Grade A for its college.
PTI
