Posted On: 2023-05-23 11:19:36
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
Education is a fundamental right that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their location. However, rural communities often need help in providing quality education to the residents. According to India Today 2020 reports, 1.3 billion people are living in India, and 67% of them are rural dwellers. There are roughly 196 million primary school students, 146 million of whom attend rural schools. The educational journey is not simple for students in rural India; they face many challenges till they finish their education.
Though the literacy rate in Rural India has gradually increased, the reports of the National Survey of India state that in 2022 the literacy rate has increased to 77.7 per cent from 73 per cent. Limited resources, lack of infrastructure, lack of technology, financial constraints and also ignorance of parents are some of the few challenges that create an educational gap in India.
It is essential to step in and create an environment for quality education for children in rural belts. Here, are a few strategies that can bridge the divide and ensure equitable education:
Our Constitution gives everyone the Right to Education to all the citizens of India. But, it is sometimes difficult for parents from rural areas to provide proper education to their children. Thus, it is necessary to provide free education to such children and this can be done by establishing more schools, providing proper infrastructure and resources. The government should also ensure that the number of children who are attending school must retain education up to the elementary level.
In this digital age, access to technology is very important for education. Unfortunately, many rural communities lack access to technology. It is necessary to undertake initiatives like broadband connectivity, and computer access, also collaborations with government agencies, educational institutions or private organizations can bridge the digital divide and provide equal opportunities to rural students.
One of the primary issues is the non-availability of qualified teachers in rural areas. Remote locations, limited professional development opportunities, and lower salaries compared to urban areas make it more challenging to recruit teachers. Thus, to attract teachers to these rural communities it is necessary to have recruitment programs, offer incentives, and also training programs for those people who would like to contribute to educating students.
Proper infrastructure and facilities boost education in rural areas and help in creating a conducive learning environment. Upgrading classrooms, libraries, and sports facilities along with providing mid-day meals, good water and sanitation encourages students to come to school with motivation and a sense of belonging.
The creation of schools in every village, the provision of proper and adequate infrastructure and other resources, the use of contemporary technologies in education, and raising awareness of the value of education and human rights are all ways to improve the current state of education in rural India.
Filaantro along with Child Help Foundation has selflessly provided quality education to many students in rural areas and we are happy that many children have improved their skills and shown interest in learning. We continue to provide proper education to every less-fortunate child in India.
Author: Athira Pradeep Nair
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