How India Can Escape Its Education Crisis | Fixing the Broken System

India’s education system is stuck in a deep crisis—low learning levels, rising dropouts, outdated teaching, and poor accountability. The term “death valley” perfectly captures this state, where schools exist, but real learning is missing. Despite policies, funding, and multiple reforms over decades, the gap between what students are taught and what they actually learn keeps

I’m writing about this because this is not just a policy issue—it’s a lived reality for crores of Indian students. I’ve seen how children struggle with basic reading and math even after five or six years of schooling. This isn’t about comparing government and private schools. It’s about what kind of future we’re giving our children. Unless we start treating this as a serious national emergency, India risks leaving behind a whole generation. Through this post, I want to explore how we can fix what’s broken and build a public education system that actually works.

Where the Problem Really Lies

We often blame infrastructure, teacher shortage, or lack of funds. But the real crisis is deeper—children are simply not learning.

A 2024 ASER report showed that nearly 50% of Class 5 students in rural India still cannot read a Class 2-level text. In maths, even fewer can solve basic division. This learning crisis is not new. The problem is that despite knowing it, we’re not doing enough to solve it.

And it’s not just about rural India. Even in urban areas, many students in affordable private schools face similar issues. Teaching is textbook-driven, exams focus on rote memorisation, and understanding is rarely checked.

So what’s killing the system?

Overburdened curriculum
No support for first-generation learners
Weak teacher training and classroom support
Lack of regular feedback and monitoring
Poor linkage between education and employability

Teachers Need Support, Not Just Blame

Teachers are often blamed for low learning outcomes, but most of them are overworked and under-trained. Many government teachers handle multiple classes, administrative duties, and non-teaching work.

Also, a large number of them don’t get regular in-service training. Even when training is given, it’s theoretical, not practical.

What’s needed is:

Regular classroom-based mentoring
Clear goals for student learning
Better use of data to track progress
Respect and recognition for good teachers

One example is Delhi’s “Chunauti” programme which grouped students by learning levels instead of age. This helped teachers focus on basic skills before jumping to grade-level content.

Shift Focus from Inputs to Outcomes

Building more classrooms or distributing uniforms looks good on paper. But these are input-based reforms. We need to start focusing on outcomes.

That means asking—what are students actually learning? Can they read, write, and do basic maths? Are they developing critical thinking?

To make this shift happen, states need to:

Regularly assess student learning (like ASER or NAS)
Make these reports public
Hold school heads accountable for improvements
Involve local communities and parents

For example, Himachal Pradesh has consistently performed well in national assessments. One reason is regular tracking of student progress and strong community involvement in schools.

Fix Early Childhood and Foundational Learning

If a child doesn’t learn to read by Class 2 or 3, it becomes very hard to catch up later. That’s why foundational literacy and numeracy must be a top priority.

The New Education Policy (NEP 2020) rightly identifies this. Programmes like NIPUN Bharat aim to get all Class 3 students at grade-level reading and maths by 2026-27.

But success depends on real implementation. That includes:

Strong pre-primary education
Trained Anganwadi workers and primary teachers
Simple tools to track each child’s progress
Involvement of parents at early stages

Use Technology But Don’t Depend on It

During COVID, we saw a massive push toward online education. But that also exposed the digital divide. Many students, especially in rural areas, had no access to phones or data.

Technology can help, but it cannot replace teachers. What works best is blended learning—where tech supports classroom teaching, not replaces it.

Low-tech solutions like IVRS-based learning (used in Jharkhand) or community radio programmes can also help bridge gaps.

Build a Culture of Learning

One big missing link in India’s education story is joy. For many children, school is a place of fear—not curiosity.

We need to make schools a space where children want to come and teachers want to teach. That means:

Less focus on exams
More project-based and activity learning
Encouraging questions, not just correct answers
Making school leadership strong and accountable

Schools that have tried this—like those under the Rajasthan Adarsh School scheme—have shown improvement in both attendance and learning levels.

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.