Education is a stepping stone towards a better life as well as understanding of the world. Without it an individual in today's world cannot succeed. The ability to read, write and do minor calculations is very important. It should not be underestimated. Man is a social animal. Therefore, to a lead a productive life in this world he/she has to have the power to read and write.
Benefits of a literate nation:
One of the major aims of every country is to educate its population. The key to a civilized population is via literacy. When people have the ability to read and write, they will automatically have the ability to understand their country as well as the politics of their country. As a result, they are better equipped to get ahead in life.
Challenges faced by the Free Education policy of India:
Free education is necessary in India, as most poverty stricken families do not have the money and the means to send their kids to school. In India, many kids after the age of 7 are seen as potential laborers whose labor can be exploited. Families in urgent need of money find it more productive to send their kids to be employed rather than sending them to school. Free education will therefore give these families the opportunity to send their kids to school.
While under the labor laws of India, employing a child before the age of fourteen is illegal, however, child labor is still rampant as the laws aren't strict and this form of labor is cheap. Education gives these kids the opportunity to strive for social mobility. Free education in India is very important, but stringent measures need to be taken in order to ensure that it is implemented correctly. The laws of child labor should be made strict. Parents of such families should be made aware about the importance of education in their child's lives.
A dire need for quality free education in government schools:
One of the major obstacles to free education in India is low quality education in Government schools. Parents as well as students are disillusioned by the method of teaching in government schools. Most teachers are very dispassionate and do not take the pains to teach the kids. As a result, the kids see no benefit in studying from such schools. They find education cumbersome rather than empowering. In such cases, most kids find it more productive to work for a living rather than go to school.
It is these conditions of education which need a sweeping change. Education needs to become standardized as well as equal all over the country. Government school teachers need to be evaluated on a constant basis to ensure that they are teaching students in the correct fashion. The mode of teaching should also be updated so that students are up to date with the latest technology.
When these steps are taken and strictly followed, below poverty line families will happily send their kids to get educated. This will give the students better opportunities in their lives which their parents never thought possible. Therefore, the correct form of free education in India is a need of the hour. The sooner it is implemented correctly, the better it will be for its citizens.