India’s Century Begins in Classrooms: Why Education is the Real Growth Engine

If India is to truly become a global leader in the 21st century, the foundation will not be laid in Parliament, factories, or start-up hubs—it will be laid in classrooms. With one of the world’s youngest populations and over 250 million school-going children, India has the numbers on its side. But numbers alone don’t win the future. It’s the quality of education and the skills we impart that will decide if India can turn its demographic dividend into real-world progress.

I’m writing about this topic because education is no longer just about marks or jobs. It’s about nation-building. When we say “India at 100,” we often talk about GDP, infrastructure, defence, or digital power. But none of this will be sustainable unless our classrooms produce thinkers, problem-solvers, and responsible citizens. I believe this is the moment when education should move to the centre of India’s policy and public focus. From teacher training to digital infrastructure, what we invest in our schools today will shape how strong, inclusive, and future-ready India becomes tomorrow.

Why Classrooms Hold the Key to India’s Future

India has always been a land of potential. But potential turns into progress only when guided by good education. The real transformation begins when children in remote villages, urban slums, and tier-2 cities are given the same chance to learn, explore, and create as their peers in elite institutions.

Classrooms are not just about learning maths or science. They are where young minds develop empathy, discipline, teamwork, and a sense of belonging to the nation. It’s where girls learn they can lead, and boys learn respect. It’s where the next generation of entrepreneurs, scientists, farmers, and artists are quietly taking shape.

Key Areas That Need Attention

To unlock India’s century through classrooms, we need to fix a few things urgently:

Foundational learning: Reports like ASER show many children in Class 5 still struggle with Class 2 level reading or maths. This gap needs immediate fixing
Teacher training: Many teachers lack modern methods and support. Regular training and mentorship can change the learning environment in schools
Infrastructure matters: Toilets, electricity, clean water, and internet are still missing in many government schools. Without these basics, learning takes a backseat
Equity in education: Girls, tribal children, and students from underprivileged backgrounds often face more hurdles. Our policies must prioritise their inclusion
Skills over rote learning: The NEP 2020 has taken a good step towards skill-based learning. But real change will need solid implementation in every district

From Chalkboards to Code: Changing Classrooms

We are already seeing small examples of success. Many schools are now using smart classes, activity-based learning, and digital tools. In states like Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi, pilot projects have shown that with the right training and tools, even government schools can outperform private ones.

Coding is being introduced early. Problem-solving is replacing mugging. And career guidance is slowly making its way to smaller towns. But we have miles to go before such changes reach every corner of the country.

A Case for Strong Public Education

India cannot build a strong future if only a small percentage of students in elite schools succeed. We need our public school system to become robust. That means:

Better budgets for education (currently under 3% of GDP)
Minimum learning guarantees for every student
Transparent assessment systems
More government support for low-income students

We should stop seeing private schools as the only path to success and instead strengthen our government schools to a level where parents willingly send their kids there.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.