The role of public vs. private education in Indian education
The Indian education system is broadly divided into two sectors: one is the private sector, which is run by private and profit-oriented entities, where education is basically a commercial service.
The other is public education, whose aim is to facilitate education among the masses to promote economic and social equality.
These two education systems are varied in multiple aspects, and it has been strongly debated which one is better for the growth of human capital and the nation as a whole.
So, here we will focus on the roles of public and private education in India, their benefits and drawbacks, and what sector should be given an edge in Indian education.
Private Education
Private education in India has gained importance in the past few decades, especially in the 21st century, due to the rising demand for quality education, the increase in middle-class families, and the privatisation of education by the government.
Enrollment in private schools has increased significantly in the last decade. Currently, 37% of students are enrolled in private, unaided schools, which is up from about 30%, which existed 8 years earlier.
The current rise in enrolment in private schools is due to their varied advantages over public-aided schools.
- High-quality education
Private educational institutions offer an adequate quality of education, which may sometimes be absent in public-aided schools.
It has a better teacher-pupil ratio, and the teachers are also well-trained. Its curriculum is based on contemporary knowledge that is updated frequently with any kind of technical or social development.
2. better infrastructure
Private educational institutions are well-equipped with modern libraries, laboratories, playgrounds, etc.
The majority of the classrooms are now smart classrooms, and computer labs in private schools have a large capacity.
3. Extracurricular activities
Private schools and colleges encourage their students to take part in extracurricular activities that are essential for the holistic development of any student.
There are many competitions and events of this kind from time to time. There are also student exchange programmes in many private schools, which will enable their children to explore diversity in cultures and practices.
However, private educational institutions sometimes come under bad light as they are becoming more commercialised in nature, due to which education is sometimes compromised.
The cost of education is very high, and the quality of education has remained constant in recent years despite overall progress in the fields of society, science, and the environment.
Due to such conditions, it has been seen that, with the onset of COVID-19, many parents are shifting their children from private schools to public or government-run schools.
Public Education
Public education in India has been supported by various local governments, state governments, and a central government ever since independence.
Public education has a major role to play in India, as the majority of students are still enrolled in this sector.
1. Affordability and accessibility
Government-run schools and universities are more affordable and accessible than private institutions. These schools often provide free or highly subsidised education, generally in backward areas, so as to reduce disparities in the field of education.
2. Social welfare
The government, through public educational institutions, runs multiple schemes to ensure the socio-economic development of society. Such schemes include Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Mid-day Meal Scheme, Samgra Shiksha Abhiyaan, etc.
3. Standardisation
Public education has focused on a standard and uniform education system all across the country. This will ensure that the same kind of education is provided to every child, regardless of the diversity prevailing in the country.
The public-sector educational institutions have thus been able to fill the gap after private institutions, but there are certain loopholes existing in the sector.
For instance, public schools and colleges lack adequate infrastructure facilities. They do not have functional labs and libraries. Classrooms often need to be more hygienic and neat. Some schools don’t even have an adequate water supply in their toilets.
The quality of education is also poor. Teachers have minimal qualifications and are often absent from school. Students are given very little attention, and due to this, they also do not attend school most of the time.
Thus, given certain advantages and issues for both public and private education, it is still debatable what sector should be given priority. Each sector has its own problem, which is addressed by another one.
So rather than prioritising one over another, both sectors should run subsequently to complement the roles of each other.
The public sector should collaborate with the private sector to tackle the issues prevalent in these areas.
For instance, the government should promote public-private partnerships (PPP) to allow private parties to take charge of developing infrastructure for public schools and colleges.
The government should also encourage private schools to expand their presence in backward regions by providing subsidies and relief.
Teacher’s training should also be given adequate focus to reduce the disparity between public and private education.
The government should also promote partnerships with civil society organisations that are actively working towards education for all.
For instance, Pehchaan — The Street School, is an NGO that provides free education to underprivileged children living in slum areas. The Street School has been running for over 8 years and has made a very strong impact on more than 1500 children.
The school ran an initiative called “Shiskhaantar”, to encourage the participation of people and institutions to volunteer and to make donations in order to develop a sustainable environment for children’s education.
It has also collaborated with multiple schools and colleges, like Jesus and Mary College in Delhi, to create awareness about children’s education and its overall impact on society.
Thus, such suggestions should be incorporated into the system so as to ensure that education serves its sole purpose of developing humans for the future.
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