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Schools in Rural India – Seeking Immediate Attention

Education plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s personality and future. The right to education is the primary right of every citizen of India, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, and economic conditions. Even though education is a basic right of every citizen, many are still deprived of this right. Compared with the education facilities available in urban areas, the schools in rural India have a scarcity of basic needs like drinking water, transportation facilities, and good teachers. Most of the population of India still resides in rural areas.

According to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources, India’s rural population was 65.3% in 2019. These statistics clear the fact that more than half of the Indian population still resides in rural India. Even though the population residing in rural India is very high, not much attention is paid to the education system existing in rural India.

As per a survey report called the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), more than 50% of students of 5th standard studying in rural schools cannot read a second standard book and solve basic mathematical questions. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, only 7% of students studying in the 3rd standard in village schools were able to comprehend the lessons covered in 2nd class. This survey report underlines various issues that are ruining the education system of schools in rural India. Further, we shall read in detail about the issues faced by schools in rural India.

Problems faced by Village Schools

Lack of Infrastructure:

  • Many schools in rural India lack proper infrastructure facilities. Due to the lack of basic classroom furniture in many schools, kids have to sit on the floor for their classes. In some schools, because of the non-availability of rooms, students are compelled to sit under the open sky and take their classes.
  • Gaining primary computer education is still a dream for many kids studying in rural India because of the non-availability of computer labs in schools. Sports play an essential role in the development of a child’s overall personality, for that it is essential that every compound has a playground with it.
  • The RTE Act of 2009 also suggests that every school should try to provide a playground within the boundaries of the compound. However, the reality remains that many schools in rural India don’t have a proper playground for kids to play and do some physical activities.
  • Another basic facility that rural schools in India lack are the availability of washrooms. Because of the non-availability of washrooms, female students tend to avoid schools, which is not a good sign for our country.
  • The non-availability of basic infrastructure and accessories related to teaching has led to reduced attendance in schools in rural India, thus reducing the quality of education.

Deficiency of Funds

Unavailability of funds in schools of rural India to buy basic infrastructure such as benches, blackboards, etc. is one of the severe hurdles in the proper functioning of schools. 

Other Problems

Non Availability of Teachers

  • Since schools in rural India lack proper infrastructure and basic facilities, teachers prefer teaching in urban areas and avoid schools in rural India.
  • Moreover, private schools in cities offer lucrative salaries to teachers whereas the salary of teachers in villages is less hence making it obvious for teachers to prefer teaching in schools in cities.
  • Apart from the lack of basic facilities, teachers in rural schools have to handle non-teaching roles as well, such as giving election duty during the election period. Many times teachers have to visit remote areas to conduct elections.
  • The issue of absenteeism of teachers in rural areas has also become very common, eventually hampering the education of students.

Less Number of Schools

  • The number of schools in rural India is very less in comparison to schools in urban areas.
  • Most of the patches of the city have schools, which makes education more accessible.
  • However, this is not the case in rural India.
  • Students in rural areas have to travel to far-flung places in order to reach their school because of the non-availability of schools in nearby areas. 

Lack of Technology

  • Today we live in a technology-driven world and the education system of today also relies heavily on modern-day technology.
  • Unlike schools of urban India, schools of rural India are not well equipped with basic modern-day gadgets such as a computer, availability of high-speed internet, etc.
  • The way of teaching in rural schools is still primitive and does not focus on the overall development of students by adopting modern ways of teaching like concept learning. 

Ways to Improve the Education System of Schools in Rural India

Since we have already discussed in detail the various shortcomings of schools in rural India, it is time for us to talk about the ways of improving the education system of rural India so as to help rural students come on par with the urban students.

Listed below are some of the ways to improve the education system of rural India.

Increase the Number of Schools

For kids to enroll in the school government needs to set up more educational institutions with minimal fees. The scarcity of schools in rural India makes it difficult for the students of remote areas to reach school and learn. If more schools are set up, and parents in rural India are promoted to send their kids to schools, it surely will improve the education level of rural India. For those who come from a very low financial background, the government should provide free textbooks, laboratory facilities, and other perks so that education doesn’t seem like a burden to their parents. Special focus should be laid on enhancing the education level of girls in rural India. 

Make Use of Modern-day Technology

To enhance the education system of rural India, it is the need of the hour to focus on technology and its benefits. The world we live in is technology-driven. Therefore, for kids of rural India to be able to compete at the national and international level, it is extremely important to have basic knowledge about the use of technology. Basic knowledge of computer and other benefits of technology should be taught to the students of rural India. Teachers can use innovative ways of teaching to make learning more enjoyable for students with the help of technology. Projectors, PowerPoint presentations can be used to attract students and make studying a fun activity.

Focus on Conceptual and Practical Knowledge

The education system of rural India doesn’t focus on practical knowledge; rather, it’s more about rote learning and facts learning. Teachers need to change the way of teaching and focus more on conceptual learning and practical knowledge. Rote learning is not every-ones cup of tea and doesn’t help kids in improving their practical learning. Therefore, the focus should be laid on clearing basic concepts at the very beginning with the help of practical examples.

Scholarship Programs 

To appreciate the efforts of students and to motivate them to excel in academics and extracurricular activities, some type of scholarships either in the form of gifts or books should be given to those who perform well in their class or school. This would motivate other kids as well to improve their performance.

Motivate Teachers

Teachers play a most important role in shaping the students’ future. If teachers are motivated and well satisfied with their teaching job, naturally, they will give their 100% while teaching. However, if teachers are deprived of basic amenities and have less salary, they will lack the motivation to give their best. The government needs to lay focus on the basic demands of teachers and motivate them in a way that they realize their importance in shaping India’s future.

Initiatives Taken by the Government to Enhance the Education System of Rural India

It is an undeniable fact that education plays the most important role in shaping one’s future. To promote the importance of education in India, the Ministry of Law and Justice had introduced ‘The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009’. This act was introduced to provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of six to fourteen years.

 Apart from this, many initiatives have been introduced by the Government of India to promote the importance of education and make it accessible for every child of India. Some of the initiatives taken by the government to improve the education system of schools in rural India are listed below:

Lok Jumbish Project

This project has 75 blocks that cover approximately 12 million of the population. Lok Jumbish works in coordination with government agencies, teachers, teachers, NGOs, elected representatives, and other people who promote universalization of primary education.

The seven guiding principles of the Lok Jumbish Project are:

Lok Jumbish Project

Shiksha Karmi Project

SKP project is being implemented since 1987, with assistance from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). This project aims at universalization and qualitative improvement of primary education in the remote villages of Rajasthan, with a special focus lay on girls. Shiksha Karmi Project, at present, covers over 1,50,000 students in 1,785 schools, which involves over 4,271 Shiksha Karmis.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

The aim of this programme is that all children between the age group of 6-14 years should receive an education. This Abhiyan covers the whole country with special emphasis on girl education and education of Schedule Caste (SC) and Schedule Tribe (ST) children and children with special needs.

The National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (School Meal Programme)

This programme was introduced on 15th August 1995, with an aim to increase the retention of students in schools by providing them free nutritious meals every day in school. Under this meal programme, the students of classes 1-5 attending the school are given cooked meals of 100gms every day. The implementation of this scheme showed positive results, and the retention of students in schools increased.

Hindrise Foundation’s Objectives to Enhance the Education System of Schools in Rural India

The importance of education in everyone’s life is a well-known fact. For any country to develop, it is essential for that country to have a robust education system. Sadly, a major population of India, which resides in rural areas, is deprived of basic education rights and facilities. We at Hindrise Foundation realize the importance of education in shaping our country’s future.

As we are aware of the fact, there is a huge gap between rural and urban education system, our volunteers at Hindrise Social Welfare Foundation take this responsibility of eliminating this gap and create a common platform unifying students across the country.

Our NGO plans to start schools with all basic amenities and quality education in rural areas of the country. All those kids who have been deprived of basic education facilities will be provided quality education, which shall help them choose the right career path for themselves and eventually support their family and people of their native village.

We begin this venture of our organization of setting up schools in rural India by establishing mini-schools in villages. Gradually when our venture gains momentum, we will be establishing schools with world class facilities and infrastructure. 

Summing Up

For our NGO to gain success in our venture of imparting education to the underprivileged, we seek donations from those of you are settled in a thriving career or a business. If you have and you can, then you should definitely donate because that’s what life is all about, helping people in need, isn’t it? We shall also be seeking guidance from Government agencies to help us maneuver our way through administrative responsibilities entailed in establishing schools in rural India.

In order to make India great, we all should together join our hands and try to do our bit even through the smallest of possible contributions. As of now, let’s start with educating the underprivileged, and any volunteers interested in joining our cause, feel free to contact us at Hindrise Social Welfare Foundation.