“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” Ashwija B V, IAS, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Tumakuru Smart City Limited, began her address at the 31st World Education Summit (WES) in Mumbai with this powerful quote of Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, highlighting the transformative potential of education.
Ashwija traced the roots of the Indian education system back to pre-Vedic times, highlighting its original focus on the emancipation of the human spirit. She contrasted this with the dramatic shift during the British colonial period, when the Anglo-Vernacular education system was introduced. Designed to meet the administrative needs of the British, this system aimed to create a class of individuals “Indian in blood and color but aligned with British ideas and interests.” It prioritized basic clerical training and was a cost-effective solution for reducing British reliance on their own workforce, often at the expense of holistic development.
Fast-forwarding to the present, Ashwija lauded the National Education Policy (NEP) introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. “The NEP represents a transformative shift towards holistic student development, aiming to revolutionize education in India,” she said. She elaborated on the NEP’s 5+3+3+4 model, designed to cater to the developmental needs of children at various stages of their educational journey. Karnataka emerged as a trailblazer, being the first state to provide guidance for NEP implementation in 2021. However, Ashwija acknowledged that the policy’s full integration nationwide remains a work in progress.
Discussing education funding, Ashwija highlighted that India’s current expenditure of 2.9% of GDP lags behind global benchmarks such as the United States (6%) and the United Kingdom (4.9%). She noted Karnataka’s strong commitment to education, with the sector accounting for 15% of the state budget. “Our student-teacher ratio of 1:26 closely aligns with recommended standards, demonstrating Karnataka’s dedication to creating effective learning environments,” she added.
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Ashwija’s address also touched on the systemic challenges facing India’s education sector. “Despite progress, foundational literacy and numeracy gaps persist, particularly among children below Grade 3,” she stated. She called for urgent action to reimagine classroom dynamics, emphasising foundational skills and early childhood education. “Increased investment and innovative approaches are vital to bridging these gaps and ensuring that education becomes a true catalyst for societal transformation,” she added.
Her address at WES Mumbai served as both an inspiring roadmap and a call to action for stakeholders in the education sector. With her thoughtful analysis and vision, Ashwija B V presented a compelling case for reimagining India’s education system to unlock the nation’s vast potential.
Views expressed by Ashwija B V, IAS, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Tumakuru Smart City Limited
