According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, which Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced in Parliament, India’s education system serves a staggering 26.52 million pupils in schools and 4.33 crore in higher education institutions.
This means that India has more than 30 crore kids enrolled in schools, colleges, and other institutions.
The following are the education and skilling highlights of the Economic Survey 2023-24:
The Economic Survey also revealed that more than 11 crore learners are enrolled in skilling institutions across the country. These figures underscore the significant efforts being made to address the skills gap and prepare the youth for a dynamic job market.
“These sweeping figures put into perspective the enormity of the challenge and the inherent ambition of the New Education Policy 2020 to transform India’s educational ecosystem,” the document stated.
The New Education Policy 2020 aims to embed lifelong learning in the education and skills ecosystem, strengthening institutional capacity to support continuous learning and development.
This initiative is crucial for maintaining India’s economic growth and ensuring that its workforce remains competitive in the global market.
Higher Education and Social Equity
Higher education enrollment in India has seen significant growth, particularly among underprivileged sections such as SC, ST, and OBC.
The Economic Survey highlighted that female enrolment in higher education increased to 2.07 crore in FY22 from 1.57 crore in FY15, marking a 31.6% rise. This trend indicates improved equity and better employment opportunities for previously marginalised groups.
Early childhood education initiatives
The NEP 2020 is driving comprehensive reforms in the education sector, with a focus on foundational literacy and numeracy for children by the third standard.
The ‘Poshan bhi Padhai bhi’ programme aims to establish the world’s largest, high-quality preschool network at Anganwadi Centres, supporting early childhood education on a universal scale.
Preparing for Future Challenges
The Survey emphasised that for India to sustain economic growth over the next quarter century, it must educate and skill its youth to stay ahead of the curve.
This includes adapting to emerging technologies and addressing education and skill deficits, which were exacerbated by the pandemic.
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