Explain the Importance of Universalisation of Elementary Education
Back to: Education in Contemporary India – Unit 2
Universalization of elementary education refers to the enrollment, retention, and universal access to qualitative education for children up to the age of 14. Elementary education is a Fundamental Right.
The provisions included in the Constitution of India emphasize offering elementary education to all children. Attempts by India to universalize elementary education (UEE) date back to the pre-independence period. This fostered the inclusion of the same under the Indian Constitution’s Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 45 (1950).
According to Article 45 of the Directive Principles of State Policy,
“The State shall endeavor to provide, within ten years from the commencement of the Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all children until they attain the age of 14 years.”
Steps By Government for Universalization
Some major steps taken by the government for the universalization of education are:
The Kothari Commission (1964)
The Kothari Commission was an ad hoc commission formed by the Government of India under the Chairmanship of Daulat Singh Kothari on 14 July 1964 and dissolved on 29 June 1966. He was the chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) when the Kothari Commission was formed. The Commission consisted of twenty members who were experts in the education domain and based out of the UK, USA, Japan, Sweden, and France.
National Policy of Education (1986)
The main goal of NPE was to universalize elementary education through facilities such as quality education, trained teachers, and adequate teaching and learning materials. It also took steps to remove inequality and discrimination based on social criteria.
Sarvarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is a flagship program started by the government of India in 2001. It was developed to achieve the Universalisation of Elementary Education (UEE). The provision of legal backing for SSA occurred when the Indian Constitution under Article 21 A, made free and compulsory education for children in the age group of 6-14 a fundamental right.
Importance of Universalisation of Elementary Education
The importance of universalization of elementary education is as follows:
- Increases national productivity: Universalization of education leads to the literacy of more citizens which fosters the productivity of the nation.
- Spreads Mass Literacy: Literacy is the basic criterion of economic development and universalization of education will facilitate mass literacy.
- Facilitates Equality: Through the universalization of education, the equality of all citizens can be fostered.
- Increases Competence: The competence of the average worker is increased through the universalization of education.
- Fosters National Development: Education is a must for a country to develop and thrive and through the universalization of education, more citizens can be educated.
- Effective democratic functioning: India is a democratic country and when everyone receives equal education opportunities, the democratic institution can function effectively.
- Fosters Opportunity: Through the universalisation of education, more citizens can gain opportunities and develop efficiently.
These are the various reasons why the universalization of education is extremely important for Indian citizens.
