School Education and Literacy in India is transforming significantly, and this change is very much a result of the forward-looking thinking and work of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The improvements visible today in the education system of India are possible because of the vision PM Modi has for every child in the country. This government has introduced many policies, schemes, and programs that aim to ensure that children across the country-metro cities or small villages-must be able to get quality education. It is permanently ongoing, and PM Modi’s unwavering commitment is setting the course for a more enlightened, more inclusive future in education.
Now PM eVidya is opening out the doors of education for millions of students. Advancement in digital tools has really helped students learn at home. Even through all the restrictions that the pandemic imposed, digital education kept children learning without any interruptions. This initiative has ensured quality education through online platforms, even in the most remote parts of the country. This unifies all efforts related to digital/online/on-air education to enable multi-mode access to education. This will benefit nearly 25 crore school going children across the country, proving how important digital education is becoming in India. Digital platforms have burned down those geographical barriers that used to exist because of their differences, enabling children from all backgrounds to learn with the help of technology.
It is true that teachers contribute enormously towards making the future of students. Hence, the government of PM Modi has put much emphasis on teacher training, giving attention to every part of education imparted to teachers so that they possess the knowledge and the skills to impart good quality education. Because of this, the ongoing NISHTHA program enables teachers in all parts of the country to receive further training on modern methods of teaching. As of January 2024, approximately 17.5 lakh teachers and school heads across 17 States/UTs have participated in the NISHTHA Elementary Level online courses. Then, by empowering the teachers, the government ensures that the students who then qualify receive the best possible education from trained educators with the capacity to energize them. Good well-trained teachers actually make classrooms much more lively, enjoyable, and effective, and that is so essential to the all-round development of the child.
Education should be made common to all children, no matter what their category or disability may be. The government of PM Modi has got plenty to its credit as far as ensuring that every child gets the exposure to education is concerned. A good evidence of inclusion in education is the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. As a result, children with disabilities will not feel a weight on their shoulders regarding learning and can have similar educational experiences as any other child.
The emphasis early childhood education is what PM Modi’s government advocates. Researchers have found critical early years in a child’s life for future growth, necessitating the Jaadui Pitara program. Play-based learning is the mode of imparting knowledge to children aged 3 to 8 years-old. Play is a way through which children learn naturally, and therefore, the use of toys and games and stories develop children’s capacity concerning cognitive and emotional abilities. Early education thus provides strong bases upon which a child’s future learning can take place and grow with a fairly good understanding of the world around him or her.
Education systems no longer make provision solely for books and examinations but have made room for practical skills that lend credence to what students learn in their aim for earning a profession in their future lives. The modalities through which this can be viewed are currently evident in the emphasis the government itself lays on the vocational training. Here, students’ values arise from the contributions that they are making to growth on an individual level and for the economy as a whole. The offering of training in practical fields positions students to be feasible within the job market, helping them face the modern challenges besetting them.
The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme is very potent initiative among other important projects that the government has for a nation. The girls now have the same educational opportunities as boys and thus empower girls to pursue their dreams and give a better contribution to the society.
Indubitably, the Modi governments understand that a good school is not only about what is taught within its pages, but also about the kind of atmosphere students learn in. Over the years, much has been done to improve the infrastructure of schools. Major innovations took place in schools within India in 2024: Smarter toilet facilities, Safe drinking water, appropriate classrooms-modern restructuring for learning. These ensure that students study in safe, comfortable, and hygienic conditions. Better infrastructure would definitely bring more children to regular classes and thus would encourage them to concentrate on their studies. Better technology has also been made available for schools to engage the students more interactively.
India is a nation of cultures and languages, and that diversity is also recognized in education by the Modi government. Under the National Education Policy 2020, the children are being taught in their own mother tongues. This bilingual education ensures that the lesson gets better understood because it is taught in the language already learnt. In 2024, many schools across India adopted multilingual books and other materials at school to ensure that children bond easily with their learning processes while celebrating the cultures of the very many tongues its rich heritage of India has to offer.
Now schools over lakhs across the country give education regarding climate change, conservation, and sustainability to children. Schools have adopted green technologies such as solar panels. Students are encouraged to participate in tree-planting drives and environmental awareness programs. This would make it easier for children to understand the need to save the earth and develop an eco-sensitive sensibility for them to grow as more responsible citizens in future. Other than academic benefits PM Modi’s government would bring about mental health as well. The initiative ‘Manodarpan’ instigates counselling for students and emotional support.
The Modi government ensures that that children grow up confident, mentally strong, and prepared to face the challenges of life. PM Modi’s educational reforms have grabbed global attention. India’s education system has been recognized worldwide for its innovativeness and progress. Coupled with partnerships with organizations such as UNESCO and UNICEF, the government has been able to better the quality of education in India. Such cooperation enables India to share and learn from the best practices globally and vice versa. This specific year 2024 is when India’s education system enjoyed praises on the angles of inclusiveness, digitalization, and spending on early childhood education.
Apparently, with all these achievements, the Modi government is transforming India’s educational environment towards more positive landscapes. The Year-End Review 2024 has shown that the country is on its way to becoming a global leader in education. The vision, the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, have now given children in India access to better opportunities, facilities, and the support they need to succeed. It is clear that the future holds promise for students in India because they are well on their way to becoming tomorrow’s leaders.
(Author is Professor in Comparative Literature and Chairman of Centre for Narendra Modi Studies (CNMS). Email: [email protected])
