The recent participation of India in the 6th East Asia Summit Education Ministers’ Meeting, held in Hanoi, Vietnam, has brought into focus several important topics. From the National Education Policy 2020 to government initiatives such as PM-SHRI Scheme and PM-eVidya, these discussions have reignited the conversations on education and related issues in India.
Understanding the East Asia Summit (EAS)
Established in 2005, the EAS is a platform for strategic dialogue and cooperation on the key political, security, and economic challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region. The concept of an East Asia Grouping was first promoted in 1991 by the then Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir bin Mohamad.
The EAS has outlined six priority areas for regional cooperation: Environment and Energy, Education, Finance, Global Health Issues and Pandemic Diseases, Natural Disaster Management, and ASEAN Connectivity. It includes ten ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states as well as Australia, China, Japan, India, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the USA.
EAS Meetings and India’s Participation
The annual Leaders’ Summit, usually held in Q4 every year, marks the culmination of the EAS calendar. EAS Foreign Ministers and Economic Ministers also hold meetings annually. As one of the founding members of the EAS, India has continually participated in these dialogues. One notable example was at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok in November 2019, where India introduced their Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) aimed at creating a safe and stable maritime domain.
Challenges in the Indian Education Sector
Despite advancements, India’s education sector is fraught with problems. These include inadequate infrastructure in schools, high dropout rates, the issue of ‘brain drain’, mass illiteracy, insufficient technical and vocational education, and gender inequality.
Efforts to Improve Education in India
In light of these challenges, various initiatives have been implemented to improve the quality of education in India. The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) encourages a holistic, flexible & multidisciplinary approach to education and is founded on principles of access, equality, quality, affordability, and accountability. It also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for 2030.
The PM-SHRI scheme, with plans to develop over 14,500 schools across India, promises to incorporate all components of NEP 2020 into example schools. These institutions will then offer guidance to neighboring establishments.
The PM-eVidya program was launched in 2020 to bolster online learning. It coordinates all efforts relating to digital or remote education and deploys technology to minimize learning losses.
Additionally, the government has introduced various e-learning platforms, such as DIKSHA, SWAYAM MOOCS platform, Virtual Labs, e-PG Pathshala, and National Digital Library.
The Way Forward
While significant strides have been achieved, there is still much to be done. Incorporating problem-solving and decision-making subjects into the school curriculum could provide students with essential practical skills. Integrating vocational learning into mainstream education would create a more comprehensive learning environment. Providing the right mentorship in schools, especially public ones, can guide students towards promising career paths from an early age. Ultimately, these steps can contribute to restructuring and reorienting India’s education system to better align it with the SDG-4 (2030).