Teacher’s Day: Tracing the evolution of education in India

India takes pride in its rich academic legacy dating back to ancient times with institutions like Gurukuls Nalanda University Bihar and Takashila University modernday Pakistan Indian students have invariably received a wellrounded education that nurtured scientific curiosity and fostered innovation Over time the evolving socioeconomic milieu of the country has significantly influenced the way young minds are educatedWith teachers at the centre of imparting education the medium becomes the message Teaching is perhaps one of the greatest acts of optimism in the face of all obstacles While it is an everevolving practice the challenges posed by the recent Covid19 pandemic have brought about a significant overhaul in the teaching landscapeTo decode the education evolution in the past two decades we delve into the changing landscape of Indian institutions Rajeev Kashikar a senator with Bombay University remarks on an important factor driving the change ldquoThe rise of technology has encouraged studentcentered approaches and urged the government to align the education system with global educational advancementsrdquoThe evolution of digital educationThe inception of online education in India began in 200405 when government organisations like the Ministry of Human Resource Development and Indira Gandhi National Open University attempted to establish twoway video communication to impart education However with a download speed of 256 kilobytes per second internet connectivity was still in its nascent stage two decades agoAccording to the report Strengthening Education Management Information System published by the HRD Ministry and the National University of Educational Planning and Administration NUEPA in 201415 only 2465 per cent of Indian schools had access to computers Digital literacy and awareness of technologybased education were not as prevalent as they are today Thus digitization endeavours fell short due to limited technological advancementsFast forward to 2021 The Union Education Ministryrsquos body Unified District Information System for EducationUDISE released a report that surveyed 1489115 out of which only 504989 had internet access Given the plight in 2004 this was a major jump in the seepage of the techenabled education system in schools A total of 339 per cent of Indian schools now have internet access and related facilitiesWith the proliferation of smartphones and the internet in tier 2 and tier 3 cities digital learning platforms have gradually penetrated into primary secondary and higher education sectors Pallavi Joshi a grade 10 teacher at Methodist High School in Kanpur informs Midday ldquoPost the pandemic we had to work fast to recoup the loss of traditional education setups due to prolonged lockdownrdquoldquoFrom elearning modules for each subject to virtual classrooms our students were provided with holistic study material at their fingertips The transition was not smooth as many students lacked smartphone access and stable connectivity However over a period of 1214 months the new teaching dynamics evolved which enabled them to learn at their own pace and explore a world of information beyond textbooksrdquo she addsApart from schools the initiatives at the forefront of pandemicinduced digital education launched by the Department of School Education and Literacy Ministry of Human Resources Development MHRD included Diksha Swayam Prabha Channel Shiksha Van EPathshala and National Repository of Open Educational Resources NROERA dedicated DirecttoHome DTH channel was launched by the central government which focuses exclusively on serving hearingimpaired students Study materials designed in sign language are created using the Digitally Accessible Information System DAISY to cater to the needs of both visually and hearingimpaired students These educational resources can be accessed on platforms such as YouTube and the NIOS websiteDigital evolution has not only made education more engaging but also more inclusive catering to diverse learning styles and needs Many digital platforms provide interactive learning experiences through multimedia content quizzes and simulations However digital education in India faces several challengesAccording to a report by the National Sample Survey NSS as of 201718 only about 24 per cent of households in rural India had internet access highlighting the significant digital divide in the country Additionally a survey conducted by the Annual Status of Education Report ASER in 2020 found that nearly 24 per cent of students in rural areas did not have access to smartphones or computers for online learningldquoThis inequality in access to digital resources is a major obstaclerdquo remarks Soumya Sharma a PhD scholar pursuing educational research Furthermore she adds that concerns related to the quality of online content teacher preparedness and increased screen time among children are ongoing issues that need to be addressed ldquoOnce we manage to solve the issues at the grassroots level only then we can ensure the effective inclusivity of digital education in Indiardquo Sharma remarksThe journey of educational technology or EdtechSimultaneously the Indian EdTech journey commenced around 2004 with the emergence of smart classrooms and satellitebased education However this concept failed to gain significant traction as it was relatively new for people to adapt to Over time with technological advancements India experienced substantial growth in the realm of online educationWhat also adds to the EdTech boom is Gen Zrsquos method of consuming lessons Gen Z often referred to as Zoomers arent inclined to study passively its not in their DNA They dont merely wish to endure endless lectures jot down notes and commit them to memory for exams They demand full engagement and active participation in the learning journey which has been paved by the rise of EdTech in IndiaToday education has become more affordable and accessible for students who primarily rely on traditional offline methods like coaching classes and private tutoring For instance take the case of Anu Kumari ndash the Indian civil servant from Kerala cadre She prepared for the challenging exam solely through online coaching classes imparted at the virtual EdTech venture Insights IASSimilar platforms like BYJUrsquos Vedantu UpGrad etc have sprouted up in the past decade which cater to students preparing for IITs medical entrances MBA NET and other competitive examinations Today elearning has become a necessity rather than a choiceSumit Kumar the founder and CEO of New Delhibased EdTech startup Nulearn shed light on the evolution of Indias EdTech industry ldquoThe journey of EdTech in India can be categorised into two distinct phases prepandemic and duringafter the pandemic Prior to the Covid19 outbreak EdTech was growing at a more measured pace facing resistance to online education due to infrastructure limitations and challenges in reskilling teaching staffrdquoHowever the pandemic provided a unique opportunity for the EdTech sector reshaping public perception With features like virtual classrooms social learning gamification and a high level of interaction Nulearn has educated more than 50000 students under 20 specialised programs Kumar opines that a major chunk of students enrolled in programs during the pandemic The crisis prompted a rapid shift towards online learning as new EdTech products and services were being devisedSupported by the Central Government there has been a profound digital transformation in educational institutions including curriculum and private ventures Notably companies like Vedantu BYJUrsquoS and Unacademy have experienced remarkable user growth during this periodThe rise of practical learningWith the growing importance of handson experiences and realworld application of knowledge the Indian education system has also witnessed a significant shift towards practical learning in recent years Huma Zafar a teacher at Podar International School Mumbai shares how the introduction of abacusbased mathematical education has become a tangible way to cultivate robust numerical skills amongst her pupilsldquoWe recently launched the abacus for Grade 2 students to make math more fun and engaging Its a special tool with beads that you can move around to solve complex calculations When students use the abacus they can see and feel numbers which makes it easier for them to learn addition subtraction multiplication and division My students have grasped it well and are more confident in their abilitiesrdquo Zafar sharesAdditionally to equip students with practical exposure to their chosen fields colleges and universities have increasingly recognised the value of internships For instance students pursuing Psychology at Christ University Delhi and Bengaluru have been mandated to work with clinical psychologists in Semesters 3 or 4 to apply theoretical knowledge on a practical basisInternship options have expanded across various disciplines including engineering business and healthcare These opportunities allow students to apply theory in realworld settings gain industryspecific skills and build professional networks In another instance students of filmmaking at Jamia Millia Islamia Delhi undertake internships with Babel Productions ndash a syndicate that stitches documentary films for European channels like France 24 CNA and moreOn a parallel note schools in India have started incorporating vocational training programs to equip students with practical skills that are directly applicable to the job market Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE has introduced a 12hour short exposure module for students in grade VI and higher to enhance their vocational skills For example vocational courses in plumbing carpentry electronics and hospitality have become increasingly popular These programs empower students with employable skills making them jobready upon graduationJoshi opines that the integration of technology in schools has increased the employability of her students Her school has adopted a 11 computer ratio and is integrating technology into its teaching methods Utilising tools such as projections online classes and access to homework online is not only making students more technologically savvy but also extending this knowledge to their parents This tech literacy enables both children and parents to stay updated with the fastpaced changes of our timesThe pedagogy of peer learning is also now widely acknowledged as a crucial element of an active learning approach adopted by schools worldwide Kashikar adds In this method students engage with their peers and gain knowledge from one another without the need for constant supervision This approach cultivates an environment of open communication which is essential for effective learningAt Indirapuram Public School Ghaziabad students were introduced to projectbased learning initiatives like Community Garden Creation where they plan execute and maintain a garden promoting practical skills and fostering a sense of environmental responsibility This handson experience enhances their understanding of sustainable practices aligning with the importance of practical learningAddressing pitfalls in the Indian Education SystemDespite advancements there are various pitfalls that need to be addressed Apart from a deeper integration of technology through improved data connectivity and access to computers in rural regions Indian education systems can enhance their methods of imparting knowledge through a combination of innovative approaches and reforms Experts share some key strategiesFlexible CurriculumRevise and update the curriculum regularly to make it relevant to the changing world Include subjects related to 21stcentury skills such as Artificial intelligence coding entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability Allowing students to choose from a broader range of elective subjects will help them align their goals betterTeacher TrainingInvest in continuous professional development for teachers Provide training in modern pedagogical techniques technology integration and classroom management Supporting teachers in staying uptodate with the latest educational trends and methodologies is crucial for studentrsquos successAssessment ReformRethink assessment methods to move beyond exams and standardised testing Encourage a more holistic evaluation of students skills including project assessments presentations and portfolio evaluations Reduce the emphasis on highstakes examsStudentCentric ApproachTailor teaching methods to individual learning styles and needs Implement differentiated instruction where teachers adapt their approaches to accommodate diverse learners Encourage selfdirected learning and autonomyPromote Creativity and ArtsRecognise the importance of arts music and creativity in education Encourage students to explore their artistic talents and creative thinking These aspects can foster innovation and wellrounded developmentTeacherStudent RelationshipsEncourage strong teacherstudent relationships built on trust and open communication Create a supportive and empathetic learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing their ideas and concernsParental InvolvementPromote active involvement of parents in their childrens education Encourage regular communication between teachers and parents to ensure a collaborative approach to learningInclusive EducationEnsure that education is accessible and inclusive for all students regardless of their backgrounds abilities or disabilities Implement harmonious interactions to avoid communal sentiments bullying and other radical acts in the classroom