The Need for Inclusive Education in India

There needs to be a complete overhaul of Indian education system problems

The demand for starting inclusive education in India has been long-standing. A striking fact about Indian education is that compared to the number of students passing out of colleges , the number of students really acquiring employable skill  is very small.

Questioning college leaving students, one would get a standard justification for going to post graduate or professional courses -

“A higher qualification attracts higher pay package.”

Or

“Social recognition improves with a higher degree.”

Behind all these there is an implication that a simple graduation does not provide the required skills to get a job. When it comes to shining in the practical field, Indian education scores poorly because the courses teaching soft skills are not incorporated enough in the curriculum.

 Teaching of Content versus Developing Skills:

Amid all the fuss about the choice of subjects and the college or university to be attended, a much avoided question begs for an answer-

“Can there be parity between how the subjects are taught so that there is less disparity in the scopes they offer?”

This makes us realize that in the urgency of teaching content over the years, teaching of skill has taken a backseat with serious impact on the employment prospects of educated youth. The lessons are simply learnt and forgotten years afterwards with little to bear significance for day to day living.

Urgent Skill Sets:

Some of the most sought after skills take permanent shape in youngsters while still in college. Through an effective curriculum the following skills can be taught easily at this stage-   communicative skills, creative and lateral thinking skills, quantitative and analytical skills, ability of intuition, ability to handle pressure and become an active team player. Interactive course material designed to attract students’ participation and well trained teachers giving out those lessons are the prerequisites for getting favourable results.

 

Innovative Thinking at the Forefront:

Imagine a student approaching his study with the excitement of an adventurer or an innovator! It needs separate culture of thought to look at education as the aide to a person’s evolving mind. The role of education in a person’s contribution to society is a matter of great introspection. That education is valuable which enables the students to stand up on their own feet rather than blindly follow traditions. Self confidence gained from the process helps one to face real life situations. In India we get a hue and cry about the insufficient funds for education but in fact the lack of a proper roadmap is more frustrating.

Inclusive Education Ensuring Equity:

Inclusive education really means that no section of the masses is left out of its sphere. It is not only enough to make education free up to a certain level or give out scholarships. The standard must be monitored closely and rural-urban disparity must be obliterated.

“Why should the expensive management courses remaining out of the reach of students with less financial ability be the only passport to good jobs? Why can’t such skills as are taught in a management institutes are incorporated in general curriculums through re- designing the textbooks and getting students more involved in the process?”

If youngsters are asked about the benefits of education, most will say the degrees are indispensable to get jobs, but few will say that the sharpness achieved through education has helped them sustain in their lives.

 Inculcating Values in youngsters:

Dedication to hard work, passion for knowledge and caring for natural bent of mind are fast becoming obsolete in the modern Indian educational system. The expansion of horizon of thought as the main objective is not achievable due to this current trend. The coursework should be such that students can engage with the study material and actively learn the values that are required in life.  

 The New Education Policy:

 The new education policy 2023 with all its intricacies and drawbacks is suggesting value added education for the masses. Along with proposing increased autonomy for institutions and breaking the barriers between science and arts through credit systems, it has upheld the necessity of research and development. But how to implement these remains a question.

An educational policy focused towards equity , emancipation and empowerment is the need of the hour. Every step taken in the right direction will take the country forward whereas every step against it will destroy enormous scopes. It is for us to choose which way we want to go.