Introduction
Education originated as transmission of cultural heritage from one generation to the next. Today, educational goals increasingly encompass new ideas such as liberation of learners, critical thinking about presented information, skills needed for the modern society, empathy and complex vocational skills.
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In a broader sense, EDUCATION is defined as a human right, a powerful driver of development, and one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace, and stability.
Different Scholars and Philosophers diversely define ‘Education’. They throw more light on the meaning and significance of Education, which tells us that the importance of education is of paramount in our society.
Importance Of Education
Education is one of the key components for an individual’s success which has the ability to shape one’s life in the right direction. It prepares a person intellectually for mature life.
For individuals, education promotes employment, earnings, health, and poverty reduction. For societies, it drives long-term economic growth, spurs innovation, strengthens institutions, and fosters social cohesion. Thus, Education improves not only the personal life of the people but also their community for which one cannot neglect the significance of education in life and society.
In India, education is a constitutional right of every citizen. So, people of any age group, religion, caste, creed and region are free to receive education. An educated person is respected everywhere and well treated in society. As a kid, every child dreams of being a doctor, lawyer, engineer, actor, sportsperson, etc. These dreams can come true through education. So, investment in education gives the best return. Well educated people have more opportunities to get a better job which makes them feel satisfied.
In schools, education is divided into different levels, i.e., preschool, primary, secondary and senior secondary. School education comprises traditional learning which provides students with theoretical knowledge. However, now various efforts are being made to establish inbuilt application-based learning by adding numerous experiments, practicals and extracurricular activities in the school curriculum. Students learn to read, write and represent their viewpoints in front of others. Also, in this era of digital Education, anyone can easily access the information online at their fingertips. They can learn new skills and enhance their knowledge.
Steps Taken By Government To Promote Education
By now, you all must have understood how vital education is. Unfortunately some children still do not have access to education. The Government has thereby taken initiative to improve education quality and made it accessible to everyone, especially the poor people.
The Government passed the Right to Education Act 2009 (RTE Act 2009) on 4 August 2009. This Act came into effect on 1 April 2010, following which education has become the fundamental right of every child in India. It provides free and compulsory elementary education to children of the age group of 6-14 years, in a neighbourhood school within 1 km, up to Class 8 in India. On similar lines, there are other schemes launched by the government such as "Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid-Day Meal, Adult Education and Skill Development Scheme, National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme, National Program for Education of Girls at Elementary Education, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Scheme for Infrastructure Development in Minority Institutions, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, etc."
For our country’s economical and social growth, we require a well-educated population, equipped with the relevant knowledge, attitude and skills. Because, a well-educated population can contribute significantly to the development and growth of a nation by innovating, creating and solving problems. They can drive the economy by starting businesses, creating jobs, and developing new technologies. A well-educated population is more likely to participate in civic life, advocate for social change, and improve the quality of life for everyone. This can only be achieved by spreading awareness about the importance of education in education deficit areas and by applying a combination of strategies and investments for the overall improvement of education techniques. There is a famous saying that
“If we feed one person, we will eliminate his hunger for only one time.
But, if we educate a person, we will change his entire life”.
Effect Of COVID-19 Pandemic On Education
Education systems across the developing world are now experiencing the worst crisis in the last century. With the spread of COVID-19, more than 160 countries at the end of March 2020 mandated some form of school closures, impacting at least 1.5 billion children and youth. Education systems around the world continue to grapple with the complex decisions of when and how to reopen.
Today, despite the Omicron variant, schools are open in the majority of countries, supported by health and safety protocols and vaccination programmes. But the costs stand to be tremendous in terms of learning losses, health and well-being and drop-out. Prioritizing education as a public good is crucial to avoid a generational catastrophe and drive a sustainable recovery. To be more resilient, equitable and inclusive, education systems must transform, leveraging technology to benefit all learners and building on the innovations and partnerships catalyzed throughout this crisis.
UNESCO is supporting countries in their efforts to mitigate the impact of school closures, address learning losses, support teachers and adapt education systems, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
Conclusion
Education is the pathway for a nation’s progress. Education is the backbone of society. The government should take all measures to provide education to every individual of the country. This will bring equality among people and when people improvise their way of living, they become more responsible towards society.
The literacy rate of more developed nations is also high, and the literacy of every nation depends upon its education system. The government undoubtedly has made laws and formulated schemes, but implementing those schemes is a major task.
The government, along with co-operation with the citizens, should make the society and nation a better place to live in. The growth of every nation depends upon the kind of population it has. A well-educated population will make a well-developed nation.
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