The literacy crisis amongst marginalised youth in India reflects systemic challenges deeply entrenched within the public education system. These challenges include inadequate resources, poorly trained teachers, and a lack of access to quality education in rural and underprivileged urban areas. The result is a growing gap in educational outcomes, leaving a significant portion of the youth population without the skills needed to thrive in the modern world. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive reforms and collaboration across multiple sectors.
India Today had a discussion with Khushboo Awasthi, Co-Founder and COO of ShikshaLokam and Co-Founder of Mantra4Change, to understand these pressing issues and how collaborative solutions can pave the way for impactful change.
The conversation highlighted the gaps in resources, infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making in public schools.
The need for a holistic approach, where government, society, and markets collaborate to create sustainable educational reforms for marginalised communities, was emphasised.
“Public schools, which cater to a majority of marginalised students, often lack the resources and infrastructure to address their specific learning needs,” says Awasthi. She highlights the disconnect between top-down education programs and classroom realities, resulting in inefficiencies in implementation and poor school performance.
The dropout rate in India, particularly at the secondary level, remains alarmingly high. UDISE+ 2021–22 data reveals that 12.6 percent of students drop out at this stage, with systemic challenges compounding the problem. Poor learning outcomes in the early school years create an achievement gap that erodes student confidence over time.
Socio-economic factors also play a significant role. Parent illiteracy, remote school locations, and inadequate career pathways often lead families to prioritise immediate financial stability over education. Additionally, societal issues such as child marriage and gender discrimination continue to hinder progress.
“Students are disillusioned by a curriculum that doesn’t prepare them for meaningful jobs or life skills,” she says, advocating for a curriculum overhaul that bridges education and employability.
ADDRESSING INEQUALITIES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
The inequities in India’s education system are stark. Private schools offer quality education to those who can afford it, while public schools cater to marginalised communities with limited resources. “This systemic inequity perpetuates learning gaps and stifles India’s potential to fully leverage its demographic dividend,” observes Awasthi.
IMPORTANCE OF TEACHER TRAINING
Teacher training remains central to tackling literacy and dropout challenges. “Imagine if every school leader led one micro-improvement every month. That’s over 10 million improvements annually across public schools,” she envisions.
By enabling teachers and school leaders to sense challenges, seek support, and lead improvements, the education system can gradually shift away from its current status quo. “The muscle to improve strengthens with every improvement,” she adds.
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This article is referenced from
https://www.indiatoday.in/
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