A commentary: Seeing correlation between Education system and Mindset of people

AI generated

The term equity is a complex one to decode in contemporary times. Its meanings vary across contexts, cultures, people, societies and systems. One has own articulation of the term based on their beliefs, knowledge and mindsets. The meaning of the term equity in education subsides with access to knowledge. Education is a tool to empower ourselves and become fearless of the times that are unknown to us. As humans, uncertainty haunts us and we want to come across as beings who are aware of what is happening around them and have a fair understanding of what might be the consequences/outcomes of our actions. Today, we are struggling to understand climate change and how am I contributing to it. Like a farmer who uses chemical fertilizers is unaware of the carbon footprint they generate by using it. The impact is not immediate but is detrimental to our existence. The reasons (the why) behind information paucity with the farmer of ill effects of fertilisers calls for a deeper discussion in the discourse of equity of education. 

Let’s discuss a few challenges behind bringing equity in education. We know children between the age group of 6-14years have the right to free and compulsory education as per article 21A. According to recent data, In 2025-26, 8.5 lakh children are out of school of whom 3.7 lakh were girls (Indian express). The children who are left out of the formal education become the first ones to miss out from education equity. The next one are those who are admitted in the schools but still suffer to access quality education. According to Niti Ayog’s temporal report, (2026), there are 1,04,125 schools with single teachers  in the country. One of the challenges noted in the report is that of poor management of human resources and lack of resources in the schools. The report further highlights gaps such as gender based constraints, financial burden, geographic challenges that become an obstacle for making education inclusive and equitable for all groups. 

The next challenge is to make education meaningful and contextual for children. The definition of equitable education shall encompass pedagogical innovation, inclusive learning resources and localising education. To attempt the same, The NEP 2020 mandates use of mother tongue for instructions to children till class 5. The temporal report further highlights misalignment in the teaching framework of teachers and over emphasis on syllabus completion rather than focusing upon learning of children. It is clearly highlighted that this is a systemic challenge that has to be addressed for improving the quality of education. 

India is a diverse country where caste lies in the roots of societal structure. Oppression of one caste on another is an expression of power and a way of maintaining the status quo. The challenges discussed in this article are not merely failure of the system but a pattern can be observed around it. We see that most schools in rural, tribal and forest dwelling areas lack facilities and monitoring from the system. Resources often reach late, teacher appointment is not appropriate, infrastructure related issues are unresolved in the schools which cater to the children coming from the marginalized sections of the society. This pattern has been normalised and accepted by all sections of the society. The marginalized are happy with whatever is reaching to them, the system doesn't count this as lack of efficiency of their processes and the government applauds themselves as if they have done something miraculous. As a society we have started to accept the bare minimum and not what is needed to bring equity. 

So, the utopian definition of equity in education seems to be a far-fetched idea in a country where injustice, discrimination, inefficiency and poor accountability have been normalized and the appeal for bare minimum is replacing the meaning of equity. We need to start asking ourselves, "Is this the India we wanted?” and “How does equity in education benefit all?”

By Guneet

Samanta Team