India has the second largest population in the world. Out of the entire population in children across the world, India accounts for 19% of the children across the world. China may be the world leader in population but they have an aging population and India has a young population. This means that the Indian population is more efficient compared to other countries. However India accounts for the third highest illiterate population in the world.
The literacy levels of the country have been on the rise. From 1991 to 2001 the rate of progress was stated around 12.6% and from after 2001 the rate of progress has been noted to be around 9.21%. To counter this Indian government took certain steps. They ensured that every single student in the country was given free elementary education up to class 8.
The fear of board examinations has to be reduced in India in order to make students interested in education. The Education boards must be made student friendly. The Right to Education act has a few things to be noted. Every single Indian student is entitled to free education till the 8th standard. There will be no promotion for the students. No student will be held back.
Every student will get free books, stationary and mid day meals from the school. The parents of the students need not pay for any kind of education for the students according to the RTE act. Even the transportation of the student will be free till the 8th standard. If a child does not qualify admission to a school on the grounds of age then it is the duty of the school and the respective education board to get the child admitted in a class suitable for his age.
The school must also take extra care of the child to cope up with the others. No student should be held back in any class. Any school which fails to follow the rules and regulations laid down by the RTE act will have severe consequences. They may have to pay a hefty fine of RS 25,000. After the elementary education the students face a major challenge with their board examinations.
Till the 8th standard the students are never introduced to examinations and that is why they are severely disappointing when they are allowed to give their first exam in the 9th standard. They have to adjust to a whole new set up again. They feel lost in the system. The system has certain advantages but it also has a lot of disadvantages.
The state education boards must also play their part in improving education. The vast syllabus must be reduced in order to make student friendly syllabus. It is not possible for the people to change everything overnight. It will take time to change. However the growth rate that has declined in the last decade must be improved quickly if the country has to improve the current education system and utilize the available resources.