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Picture Courtesy:  THE HINDU

Context

Education for All (EFA) involves equitable participation, learning outcomes, and relevant skills,  for all children, youth, and adults. In Tamil Nadu, EFA is deeply integrated with the state's commitment to social justice and inclusive growth.  

Evolution of Tamil Nadu Education Model

Pre-Independence Initiatives => Reformist movements, including those led by Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, promoted education as a means to challenge caste hierarchies and promote self-respect.

• In 1921, the Justice Party passed the Government Order, known as the Communal GO, that ensured access to education for children from all communities.

Kamaraj Era (1954-1963) =>Expansion of primary education 

• Mid-Day Meal Scheme launched in 1956 as a school feeding program to tackle hunger and boost enrollment, the Union Government adopted it in 1995.  
• Free Education up to Class 10 was made free, later extended undergraduate levels in government institutions.
• Opening of new Schools within walking distance for every child to ensure access.

Dravidian Governments (Post-1967) 

• Investing in expanding educational infrastructure.
• Schemes like fee waivers for first-generation learners.
• Tamil promoted as the medium of instruction in schools and a strong emphasis on Tamil literature and culture in the curriculum. 
• Welfare measures, such as the Public Distribution System and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
• Implementing reservation policies for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and Most Backward Classes in educational institutions.
• Introduction of incentives like free uniforms, textbooks, stationery, bicycles, and laptops, removed financial barriers and encouraged retention.

What other states can learn from the Tamil Nadu Education Model?

Social justice and equity => Implement reservation policies and special provisions to ensure equitable access to education.

Access to education => Establish more schools, colleges, and universities, in rural and underserved areas.

• Implement financial aid schemes, such as fee waivers, scholarships, and free resources (e.g., textbooks, transportation), to remove financial barriers to education.

Regional languages and cultures => Promote regional languages as the medium of instruction in schools and colleges, to promote a strong sense of cultural identity.

• Integrate local literature, arts, and cultural studies into the curriculum.

Skill development and employability => Ensure students acquire practical skills relevant to the job market.

• Establish polytechnic colleges and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to provide specialized training and equip students with employable skills.
• As per the 2022-23 Annual Report of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), among persons of age 15-59 years, only about 2.2% have received formal vocational training and 8.6% reported to have received non-formal vocational training”.
• Collaborate with industries to offer add-on courses and practical training, to ensure graduates are well-prepared for the workforce.
• According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, about 49% of the country’s youth lack skill to get employable after graduation.

Adaptability and innovation => Integrate technology and digital learning platforms into the education system. Establish innovation hubs and encourage research and development.

Strengthen government support => Allocate sufficient budget and resources to the education sector. 

What are the Steps taken at the National Level to ensure Education for All?

Constitutional Mandate

• Article 45 (DPSP) mandated the State to provide free and compulsory education for all children until they complete 14 years.
• Article 51A(k) (Fundamental Duty), added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002, obligates parents/guardians to provide education to their child/ward between 6 and 14 years.

Important Policy

• Kothari Commission (1964-66) recommended a common school system and investing 6% of GDP in education.
• National Policy on Education (NPE) 1968 & 1986 emphasized universal access, retention, and quality in primary education, and vocationalisation. 
• Operation Blackboard (1987) to improve primary schools by providing essential facilities like teaching materials and equipment.
• The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was launched in 2001, under the 9th Five Year Plan (1997-2002), to provide free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14

International Commitments => India signed the Jomtien Declaration (1990) and the Dakar Framework for Action (2000), to show its commitment to Education for All.

86th Constitutional Amendment Act 2002 => Inserted Article 21A, making education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14 years. 

• Enactment of The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, to provide the legal framework for this right.

New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 => Promote holistic and multidisciplinary learning, with a focus on access, equity, and quality. 

• Introduced a new curricular structure 5+3+3+4 system, replacing the traditional 10+2 system, and emphasizes foundational literacy and numeracy, vocational education, and a multilingual approach. 
• Set goals like achieving 100% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030 and increasing GER in higher education to 50% by 2035.

What are the Challenges in Ensuring Quality Education for All?

Access vs Equity => According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for higher education is 28.4% in 2021-22.

• Enrolment rates are improved, however, equitable access to quality education remains a challenge, especially in remote areas. 
• The RTE Act's 25% EWS quota faces implementation hurdles and sometimes stigmatization.

Quality of Learning Outcomes => Rote learning, outdated curricula, inadequate teacher training, and large class sizes lead to poor foundational literacy.  

• According to ASER 2024, in Class 5, only 39.9% of government school students can read a Class 2 level text.

Teacher Shortage and Quality => Vacant teaching positions, particularly in rural areas, coupled with inadequate teacher training, low motivation, and high absenteeism, severely impact learning outcomes.

• According to the Ministry of Education data, currently over 8.4 lakh teaching vacancies in government schools across India, which include 7.2 lakh at Primary schools.

Inadequate Funding => Underfunding of the education sector impacts infrastructure development, provision of resources, and teacher salaries.

• Government Spending on education remains at 4.6% of GDP, falling short of the 6% target set by National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Infrastructure Deficiencies => Many schools, especially in rural areas, lack basic facilities like functional toilets, drinking water, electricity, and libraries, affecting student attendance and retention.

Digital Divide => Shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the disparity in access to digital devices and reliable internet.

Dropout Rates = Particularly among girls and marginalized groups, remain a concern due to socio-economic pressures.

• In Bihar, of the 100 girls who started schooling, only 40.3 completed secondary education in 2024 compared to 51.6 of them in 2019.

What steps need to be taken to ensure Quality Education For All?

Effective Implementation of NEP 2020

• Prioritizing and expanding quality early childhood care and education.
• Implementation of "National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy" (NIPUN Bharat).
• Shifting towards competency-based learning, critical thinking, and multidisciplinary education.
• Moving away from summative, rote-learning based exams to holistic, formative assessments.

Teacher Empowerment

• Attract the brightest minds to teaching and provide continuous professional development (CPD).
• Linking teacher performance to learning outcomes and provide recognition.
• Filling vacancies and ensuring equitable deployment.

Increased Public Funding => Increasing public expenditure on education to at least 6% of GDP, as recommended by NEP 2020, for sustainable quality improvement.

Leveraging Technology and Bridging Digital Divide

• Ensure affordable and reliable internet access and devices, especially in rural areas.
• Develop accessible, multilingual, and engaging e-content (e.g., through DIKSHA, SWAYAM).
• Training teachers in using technology effectively for teaching and learning.

Strengthening Governance and Accountability

• Empower School Management Committees (SMCs) and local bodies.
• Develop metrics to assess learning outcomes and school performance.
• Strategic collaboration with the private sector and NGOs, ensuring regulatory oversight.

Focus on Inclusivity => Targeted interventions for girls, SC/ST, PWD, and other marginalized groups, including scholarships, inclusive infrastructure, and sensitive curriculum.

Source: THE HINDU