Education is one of the critical drivers of economic growth and development. The G20, a group of the world’s largest economies, recognizes the importance of education and has identified it as a critical area for achieving its shared vision of sustainable and inclusive growth.
India has made significant strides in education over the past few decades. The country has one of the largest education systems in the world, with over a million schools and nearly 40,000 higher education institutions. The government has also launched several initiatives to improve the quality of education and increase access to it.
One of the most significant initiatives in this regard is the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) program, which aims to provide universal elementary education for all children in the country. The program has successfully increased the enrollment of children in schools and improved the quality of education.
Another important initiative is the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), which focuses on improving the quality of secondary education. The program has helped increase the number of schools offering secondary education and improve the quality of education at this level.
India has also been at the forefront of digital education. Several initiatives are launched yearly to promote digital learning, including the SWAYAM platform, which offers free online courses to students across the country. Additionally, the Indian government has also launched the National Digital Library, which provides access to millions of books and journals to students and researchers.
India’s efforts in education have been noticed. It has made phenomenal progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. India has also been praised for promoting gender equality in education.
In conclusion, India’s education system has the potential to be a guiding light for achieving the shared vision of the G20. The country’s initiatives to improve the quality of education and increase access to it, as well as its efforts in promoting digital education and gender equality, are all steps in the right direction. With continued efforts, India can further strengthen its education system and contribute to the G20’s vision of sustainable and inclusive growth.
Views expressed by Jaspreet Lidder, President, Oxford International School, Hoshiarpur.
