The Role of Education in Nation Building

Education is the pillar of society that empowers individuals to stay informed about social values and contributes to nation-building by supporting industries and creating employment opportunities. It uplifts the economically weaker sections of society and improves their standard of living. In short, education helps build a developed and progressive nation. It is an integral part of every individual's life, enabling them to live with dignity and purpose.

Most of us understand that these aspirations can only be realized when everyone is educated and aware of their rights and responsibilities towards their family and the nation. More than 25 percent of Indians are illiterate.

According to UDISE+ 2021–22 data, the highest dropout rate (12.6%) occurs at the senior secondary level (grades 9–10), around 3% drop out at the upper primary level (grades 6–8), and 1.5% at the primary level. Every year, around 2.5 million (25 lakh) Indian students graduate. While this number may seem large, it is much smaller compared to China, where approximately 12 million (1.2 crore) students graduate annually.

Free education is essential to create an educated, informed, and empowered society. To achieve this, the Indian government has made primary education a fundamental right, ensuring that every citizen has access to it. However, despite these efforts, significant challenges remain.

Challenges in the Indian Education System

There is a severe shortage of government schools, especially in rural areas. While private schools are available, they are often unaffordable for economically marginalized communities. Many rural schools suffer from inadequate infrastructure. The poor quality of education is another major reason for students losing interest. Despite mandatory teacher training programs, there is still a lack of qualified and motivated teachers who can inspire students through innovative teaching methods.

Socio-economic factors, cultural influences, and early marriages also contribute to high dropout rates. According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), around 27.5% of India’s population lives below the poverty line. In such conditions, expecting a poor family to send their child to school is unrealistic—they are often compelled to engage in child labour to survive.

The problem is not confined to rural areas. Even in metro cities, many interior and underdeveloped areas lack proper schools and educational infrastructure. While posh neighborhoods may have excellent schools, other urban areas still struggle. This raises an important question: Do these areas have enough schools, qualified teachers, and access to quality education?

The Burden of Private Schooling

Cities are flooded with private schools that often exploit parents financially in the name of quality education. They charge high fees and additional costs for expensive books, uniforms, accessories with school logos, and various extracurricular activities. A concerning trend is the frequent change of textbooks each year, making it impossible for parents to reuse books from previous students. Despite paying hefty fees and meeting all the schools' demands, parents often have to arrange extra tuition—sometimes from the same school teachers—to ensure their child's success. Later, parents may realize they were misled into believing that expensive schooling guaranteed better results.

The Role of NGOs in Education

NGOs are playing a significant role in expanding access to education and improving its quality, especially for economically disadvantaged communities. They offer free primary and secondary education, vocational training, and skill-development programs to help people find better job opportunities and contribute to society. Many NGOs also work towards gender equality and provide special support for differently-abled individuals.

However, not all NGOs are genuinely committed to their mission. Some operate with a profit-making mindset, losing sight of the true spirit of non-profit service. While many organizations are sincerely working to improve education, others have turned this sector into a lucrative business.

Conclusion and Way Forward

School dropouts in India are a multifaceted issue, influenced by socio-economic conditions, geographical disparities, and school-related factors such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of dedicated teachers, child labour, and early marriages. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach, including poverty reduction, improved school facilities, better teacher training, and increased community and parental involvement.

The government must also consider implementing a universal and practical syllabus, focusing on unity and real-world application. Outdated or divisive content should be revised or removed to promote national harmony and practical learning outcomes.