Indian Education System

Photo Courtesy: David Castillo Dominici

Education plays a vital role in an overall development of an individual, a society and a country.  Government of India has been trying hard to impart education to each one of its young individuals. Earlier our education system included the schools like Gurukul which still exists in some of the places.

In the Gurukul system all the students dwelled together as equals and gained education under their GURU. “GURU is the educator that guides his pupils from darkness to light”. GURU or a teacher is considered as a person with high regard who is believed to be considered as equal to GOD in the Indian society.

However, the Indian government later introduced the initial education that is education up to the age of 14 years, also known as elementary education. Also, in our system education up to 16 years of age has been made free and compulsory for children.

Even the mid day meals have been introduced in the past few years to attract more students to attend their school.  Also, a common structure has been espoused all over the country which includes the 10+2+ 3/4 educational system that is the secondary education, senior secondary education (10+2) and after that includes 3 or 4 years of graduation.

Photo Courtesy: David Castillo Dominici

After graduation most of the master courses include two years of studies and sometimes the time duration is even of three years. After the US and China, Indian higher education system is the third largest in the world

All these classes, including elementary, secondary, graduation, post-graduation are assessed through the examination system, whereas the doctorate programs include submission of dissertations.

Our education system has witnessed a lot of change like distinct education has become easily accessible after the introduction of a lot of open schools. Also, emphasis on vocational and professional training has availed the students in many areas.

Higher bodies like CBSE, ICSE and UGC are the main organizations that evaluate the functioning of various educational institutions and bring in the necessary changes. All the institutions work according to their guidelines.

But in recent past our education system has been censured due to its examination system, as a child’s ability is difficult to assess in three hours of examination, moreover the evaluation system in India is not up to the mark. Secondly, more emphasis is given on theoretical knowledge rather than practical knowledge.