Sustainability of Education and India

Education is recognised globally as a foundational human right and an essential driver for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030. It is not only essential for fostering peace and to reduce poverty but also ensure overall economic growth of a nation. Data reveals that 40% of the global population still does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand which is a major hurdle in literacy. In some developing nations, 90% of children lack access to education in their native language. Around 272 million children were out of school as of 2023, with the number rising by 21 million in recent reporting. While access has improved, 11% of children are still out of school at the primary level. In least developed countries, early childhood education participation is only 43%.

This triggered the UN to adapt sustainable development goal for education (SDG4) in 2015 aimed to ensure inclusive, quality education and promoting lifelong learning for all by 2030

. While India has reached the 99th ranking out of 167 countries in overall sustainable development, specific challenges persist to ensure the attainment of SDG4 goal by 2030.

India needs to ensure universal access to free quality education for (3 to 18 years) by 2030, including enhanced technical and vocational courses. India is targeting to remove gender disparities in education with initiatives like 97.2% 0f schools having gender segregated toilets and is catering to marginalised groups to reduce education inequality. India has launched initiatives like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Digital India which utilises e-learning, digital tools, and the Samagra Shiksha Scheme to improve pedagogy, increase teacher engagement, and promote skill-based learning to prepare the youth for the future job market.

Programs like Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), National skill Development corporation (NSDC) boost the SDG 4 performance. India has incorporated education for SD into curriculum and is patronising Digital Literacy on a large scale. India has an advantage of demographic dividend which means 65% of its population is under the age of 35. With proper education and training for the children and the youth, India can boost its economic growth and can emerge as a global leader in near future.

Indian citizens can help India achieve its aim by volunteering for tutoring or teaching, especially the unprivileged class, promoting girl child education through the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme, and making local schools more accessible for children. They can also help set up or manage digital learning tools in rural areas to make education more accessible and to promote online skills apt for the 21st century. We, as children, can also be flag-bearers for the attainment of SDG4 by focusing on peer learning, ensuring an inclusive approach, mentoring juniors in school, participating in government initiatives like DIKSHA and SWAYAM, and advocating for education in backward communities.

‘SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION IS THE PASSPORT TO THE FUTURE WE WANT FOR ALL’.