Development of Education in India

The government and public sector jointly holds the reign of Education in India.The Government provides funding at various levels to augment the literacy rate in the country. India has the ruins of the Nalanda University (the oldest university in the world). During the British Era India experienced the lights of the western education. In this country education sector is controlled by both Central as well as state government.

The many bodies which govern the school curriculum are:

• The State Boards (Government)

• The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

• The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE)

• The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)

• International Schools (the Cambridge International Examinations and/or International Baccalaureate Programme)

• Islamic Madrasah Schools (Darul Uloom Deoband affiliated).

• Autonomous schools Ananda Marga Gurukula, Patha Bhaban, Woodstock School, and a few more.

The teacher accreditation and the education system are supported by the:

• National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA)

• National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)

Highlights of the Legislative Framework of India:

• Article 45 states: "The State shall endeavour to provide, within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years."

• The Article 21A (new) reads: "The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such a manner as the State may, by law, determine."

• Article 45 reads: "Provision for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years: The State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of sixteen years. "

• Article 51A states: " ...a parent or guardian [shall] provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, [a] ward between the age of six to fourteen years."

• Article 46 holds: "The State shall promote, with special care, the education and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of social exploitation."

• The other provisions of the government (especially of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes) are mentioned in Articles 338-342, Article 335, Article 332, and Article 330.

Literacy: Every individual of 7 years age who is able to read as well as write a language is a literate. As per the current research records 35 percent of the population is illiterate, 15 percent reach high schools and only 7 percent complete graduation. Nation-wide 25 percent of the teaching positions lie vacant. The college seats are sufficient to fill up only 7 percent of the college-going age population. 57 percent of the college professors are not aptly qualified or trained. The state of Kerala has the highest literacy rate (90.02 percent), whereas Bihar has the lowest literacy rate (50 percent) in the country. The women's literacy nation-wide is only 53.63 percent. The total numbers of absolute illiterates exceed 300 million.

Primary Education in India:

The government of Indian has made primary education till the age of fourteen (Class VIII) compulsory. This is provided in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009. Free mid-day meals are being provided in most of the government run schools (especially in the rural areas) to increase attendance. Child labor is banned by law. Still the primary education in the country is not satisfactory due to lack of motivation of the parents, loopholes and reluctance in the government system, lack of infrastructure and lack of apt teachers.

Higher Education in India:

The higher education in India is third largest globally. China and United States holds the first and second rank. There are many premier institutes in India. There are central universities (20), state universities (215), deemed universities (100), institutes under State Act (5), and colleges exclusively for women (1800) in the country. However, the larger picture shows that the enrolment to higher education in India is very low. 90 percent of the colleges and two-third of the universities are rated to be below average in imparting education. Students lack motivation to pursue higher education. Many become college drop-outs. The political parties have hold on most of the government colleges and students loose their goal and deviate from studies.

Home-schooling in India:

Home-schooling is allowed in India by Law. This option is not preferred by most parents. However, those who have the time and skills are allowed to teach their wards at home. The government does not bar anybody from home-schooling.

Technical Education in India:

Technical Education was given emphasis since the first Five Year Plan. The NPE (National Policy on Education) is the apex body for regulating the technical education at a higher level. The AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) formulates regulations and approves of technical training at different levels. Degrees, diplomas, certificates or licenses are provided after the training period. Professional Engineering Societies in India are:

• The Institution of Engineers (India)

• The Institution of Chemical Engineering (India)

• The Institution of Electronics and Tele-Communication Engineers (India)

• The Indian Institute of Metals

• The Institution of Industrial Engineers (India)

• The Institute of Town Planners (India)

• The Indian Institute of Architects