EDUCATION FOR ALL IN INDIA: THE MAJOR ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND POSSIBLE ENABLERS

Abstract

There are many people in the world who are not able to receive basic education (3 R’s) such as Reading, Writing and Arithmetic (Literacy) skills. Education is the pond of knowledge and it makes people superior to other forms of living things. Its aim is to give everyone a chance to  learn and benefit from basic education – not as an accident of circumstance, or as a privilege.  The Education for All movement is a global commitment to provide quality basic education  for  all children, youth and adults. Education is the key to the new global economy, from primary school on up to life-long learning and it is central to development, social progress and human freedom. In fact, education makes people educated, acquaints them with some need based skills. According to the Millennium Report, Education is a lifelong process and the ultimate aim of Education for All (EFA) is sustainable development. India has keenly pursued the Education for All (EFA) goals that are defined in the area of early childhood care and education, primary education, gender, youth and adolescents, adult education and quality of education. Therefore in recent past, India has made progress in terms of increasing primary education enrolment, retention, regular attendance rate and expanding literacy to approximately three fourths of the population. But this time, we should be achieved cent percent literacy after a long journey of independence and huge investment in elementary education. This paper describes the major challenges facing in achieving goals of EFA in India and suggests possible enablers  for  providing education to everyone.