On the occasion of 72nd Independence Day, we bring opinions from educationists on Education in Independent India - successes, challenges and opportunities. NexSchools wishes all of you best wishes on Independence Day and reaffirms commitment to spreading awesomeness in education and parenting by introspecting and informing.
“Tagore’s thoughts are still deeply relevant in education today. The principle of freedom for an effective education and freedom to children and emphasis on freedom of self-expression through dance, music, drawing and drama.”
Development of education in India after independence
To streamline the education, the government implemented the recommendations of Kothari Commission under the National policy on education in 1968. The main recommendations were universal primary education. Introduction of the new pattern of education their language formula, the introduction of regional language in higher education, development of agricultural and industrial education and adult education.
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) at the national level and State Council of Educational Research and Training at state level were established to maintain the standard of education,(UGC) was instituted to determine the standard of higher education.
Ø Expansion of General Education
During the period of planning there has been expansion of general education. In 1951, the percentage of literacy was 19.03 %, in 2001 the literacy percentage increased to 65.04 %. The enrollment ratio of children in the age group of 6 to 11 was 43 % in 1951 and it became 100 % in 2001.
Ø Development of Technical Education
Technical education plays important role in human capital formation. The government has established several industrial training institutes, polytechnic, engineering colleges, management institutes etc.
These are given below:
1. Indian Institute of Technology
2. National Institute of Technology
3. Indian Institute of Management
4. Medical Education
5. Agricultural Education
6. Women Education
7. Vocational Education
8. Improvement of Science Education
The above discussion makes it clear that of late development in education has been made in India after independence.
“There is wide growth in general education and higher education. Efforts have been made to spread education among all sections and all regions of the country.”
India a culturally rich and diverse country is one of the fastest growing economics with a potential for a bright ruled by the British Raj, for almost 200 years. India finally gained freedom on August 15th 1947
As such, a lot of laws and systems are influenced by the British system in India till date and the education system is an exception to it.
Rabindranath Tagore's Philosophy of Education
Tagore’s thoughts are still deeply relevant in education. He advocated the principle of freedom for an effective education and based his philosophy on the freedom should be given to children, should be allowed to grow and develop as per their own wish. He laid great emphasis for self-expression through dance, music, drawing and drama. There is a common saying among Tagore scholars of India. Tagore wanted to unite entire global citizens under one banner which the citizens of the globe around that time literally jeered at him.”
Interpretation of Rabindranath Tagore’s thoughts on education is not at all and easy task to talk about it need in-depth introspection of the subject Mather and harmonizing different types of human beings for overwhelming development of education not only in Tagore’s motherland but also all around the globe.
It is my sincerest hopes and aspirations that my highly revered readers will get some ideas about this thought but more analysis is expected in my subsequent piece on the said subject. Though Rabindranath Tagore was not involved into curriculum oriented academics by dint of profound reading on all subjects, he got immersed deeply into his educative thoughts.