Research Suggests Urgent Need for Reformation of the Education System in India

Education and a literate India is a key aspect on which there is most focus in the present time. The government along with the regulatory authorities are leaving no stone unturned in bringing about betterment in the field of education.

Having the best schools around us with world class infrastructure, best facilities and comforts and highly educated staff, is that really all that our education system should consist of? We really need to ask ourselves this important question. If seen analytically, it becomes evident that apart from just having the best of schools and educational institutions, there is also need for reformation of strategy. A research was conducted for over 80,000 classroom hours in order to determine the key points of improvement and betterment for schools. The research reflected that there is need for more student involvement, engagement and participation in the affairs of the school. If student engagement is increased, student performance will also increase proportionately. Resultantly, it can be stated that when students are more involved in school, they are able to participate actively in class, feel safe and complete more challenging work that meets their personal learning needs. Also, as per 2018 Gallup Survey of K-12 School District Superintendents, around nine out of ten superintendents stated that student engagement is one of the three most important indicators of an effective school. One of the best ways to engage students is by reforming the entire education system into one which is more of learner based. By being learner based, the education system would give the students an opportunity to study and indulge willingly into those areas and fields that they like the most. They shall feel more liberated than caught. They would be able to experience the difference between forceful learning and choosing what interests them. The schools should not be those places as they used to be in the traditional India wherein there were strict guidelines, pre decided concepts and hardly any choice for the child. The present day requires the children to decide for their ownselves. This not only will impart the talent of decision making in them but will also make them feel comfortable and relaxed in the school environment. The child will never feel that school is a burden and a routine activity. The child will happily want to come school and shall be able to contribute in the school chores with more interest and charm. This increased engagement in school activities will definitely improvise the student’s performance academically as well. Some of the common strategies that the schools should take up in order to take a step towards improvement are:

(i) Adopt a research-based framework – A research based framework is a must for an institution to analyse its ownself that where it needs improvisation.

(ii) Take a holistic approach spanning academic and non-academic measures – There are various factors that affect the students in school. The school should pay attention to each of these. Some examples are as follows: Clear direction; Healthy culture; High expectations; Impact of instruction; Resource management; Efficacy of engagement; Implementation capacity.

(iii) Implement a balanced assessment system – The four most important components of a balanced system are as follows:

(a) Formative classroom assessment practices,

(b) Benchmark assessments,

(c) Interim assessments, and

(d) State-wide accountability assessment.

It is really high time that we transform the traditional school structure by bringing about such changes in our approach and make our education system truly effective.

By: Anuja Arora

Content: https://www.edsurge.com/amp/news/2018-10-22-40-000-classroom-observations-point-to-three-key-strategies-for-continuous-improvement