Indian Education System

Education is the single most important instrument for social and economic transformation. A well educated population, adequately equipped with knowledge and skill is not only essential to support economic growth, but is also a precondition for growth to be inclusive since it is the educated and skilled person who can stand to benefit most from the employment opportunities which growth will provide.

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system is a system wherein teachers and learners need not necessarily be present either at same place or same time and is flexible in regard to modalities and timing of teaching and learning as also the admission criteria without compromising necessary quality considerations. ODL system of the country consists of State Open Universities (SOUs), Institutions and Universities offering education and includes Correspondence Course Institutes (CCIs) in conventional dual mode universities. This is becoming more and more significant for continuing education, skill updation of in service personnel and for quality education of relevance to learners located at educationally disadvantageous locations.

Education in India is matter of prime concern for the government of India. The University Grants Commission (UGC) coordinates, determines and maintains the standards of education at various levels. There are many professional bodies, which are responsible for accreditation of the courses, as well as providing grants to the different undergraduate courses in India, with its diversity fascinate one and all.

Indian Education has recently gained world recognition. Many students from foreign countries are eyeing the country for gaining higher qualifications. Though, illiteracy is a problem in India, the country amazes outsiders with its vast pool of talent.

The Indian economy has grown in leaps and bounds in the recent years and hence there is a necessity to educate the masses to accelerate the growth process. It is interesting to note how the Indian education machinery works.

Title Professional Councils in India are:

• All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
• Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR)
• Distance Education Council (DEC)
• National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)
• Bar Council of India (BCI)
• Medical Council of India (MCI)
• Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
• Indian Nursing Council (INC)
• Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH)
• Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)
• Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM)
• Dentist Council of India (DCI)

Education System of India

Till the recent past it was believed that premier education is not available in India, but the current development in the educational sector has led to the belief that quality education is indeed available in India. Research done in the past has highlighted loopholes in the curriculum and methodologies but these criticisms had acted upon and amendments were made. These included changes in the syllabus, introduction of new courses and dynamic methodologies. Modern infrastructures and teachers with adequate training are facilitating cutting-edge delivery of content; connected E-learning (called C- learning) is in vogue and today, India is attracting students from Thailand, Iran, South Africa, China, Canada, France, and so on

This unbelievable progress in the educational scenario also includes low costs of tuition as compared to the western countries. The basic divisions in the academics include primary, secondary, senior secondary and higher education. Elementary education is till standard 8 while secondary and higher secondary education consists two years each. Graduation is between three to five years depending on the course after which there is an option for post-graduation (a two-year course) and research.

Today education system in India can be divided into many stages.

• Pre- Primary - It consists of children of 3-5 years of age studying in nursery, lower kindergarten and upper kindergarten. At this stage student is given knowledge about school life and is taught to read and write some basic words.
• Primary - It includes the age group of children of 6-11 years studying in classes from first to fifth.
• Middle - It consists of children studying in classes from sixth to eighth.
• Secondary - it includes students studying in classes ninth and tenth.
• Higher Secondary - Includes students studying in eleventh and twelfth classes.
• Undergraduate - Here, a student goes through higher education, which is completed in college. This course may vary according to the subject pursued by the student. For medical student this stage is of four and a half years plus one year of compulsory internship, while a simple graduate degree can be attained in three years.
• Postgraduate - After completing graduation a student may opt for post graduation to further add to his qualifications.

Education Governing Bodies

• The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): This is the main governing body of education system in India. It has control over the central education system. It conducts exam and looks after the functioning of schools accredited to central education system.
• The Council of Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE): It is a board for Anglo Indian Studies in India. It conducts two examinations 'Indian Certificate of Secondary Education' and 'Indian School Certificate'. Indian Certificate of secondary education is a k-10 examination for those Indian students who have just completed class 10th and Indian school certificate is a k-12 public examination conducted for those studying in class 12th.
• The State Government Boards: Apart from CBSE and CISCE each state in India has its own State Board of education, which looks after the educational issues.
• The National Open School: It is also known as National Institute of Open Schooling. It was established by the Government Of India in 1989. It is a ray of hope for those students who cannot attend formal schools.
• The International School: It controls the schools, which are accredited to curriculum of international standard.

The recent initiatives of the government include the following

• An Information Technology teacher should be appointed in every school.
• The ICSE and CBSE curriculums have gained eminence.
• Unit tests from Class 1 till Class 8 has been done away with in Maharashtra.
• Foreign universities are being given green signals to open campus in India. These universities are also collaborating with Indian institutions to disperse combines curriculums.