Education
A problem of plenty?
In a country like India, where there are marked differences in society when it comes to accessibility to education, healthcare and much more, companies should invest in projects that aid them to give back to society.
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) gives a strong sense of responsibility to corporates that they have to contribute towards the betterment of society. The funds under the CSR are to be utilised for social development, to improve the living standards of disadvantaged sections of the society. This is normally utilised by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to improve the health, education, environment, rural development and to empower the youth with skills that can earn them jobs.
In 2018, the unused and unspent portion of mandatory CSR rose to 1,717 crores. The New Companies Act of 2013 mandates that publicly traded companies with Rs.100 crore in annual profit or Rs.500 crore in annual turnover need to give 2 percent of their profits for inclusive social action.
Companies will have to deposit their unused funds meant for corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to a fund set up by the government for better utilisation of resources for public welfare, according to amendments to the Companies Act approved by the Cabinet on July 17, this year. The proposed amendment requires businesses to transfer the CSR amount allocated in specific years to a dedicated fund set up by the government if the company could not utilise it for three years. This would bring accountability to the CSR activities of businesses.
Ironically, there are a number of NGOs in India who are doing exemplary work in imparting education for all. While many do receive funding, these and other similar initiatives would benefit immensely from the unutilised CSR funding…
- Teach For India: They have a Teach To Lead project that encourages young college graduates and professionals to take up two years of full-time teaching sessions in under-resourced schools. In an effort to provide quality education to all, Teach For India currently works in five main cities of India – Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai and is well equipped with some 700 Fellows who are working towards eradicating the high inequality present in the Indian education system.
- Make A Difference (MAD): Their Ed Support programme ensures children in shelter homes receive the quality of support and one-on-one attention required to bridge learning gaps and enable them to clear class 10 and pursue higher education. Currently, they have 1200 volunteers working hard to teach 4000 children in some of the major cities of India including Mangalore, Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, Delhi, Dehradun, Kolkata, and Vellore.
- Pratham: Pratham is an innovative learning organisation created to improve the quality of education in India. Established in 1995 to provide education to children in the slums of Mumbai, Pratham has grown in both scope and scale, with programmes today reaching children and youth across the country. As one of the largest non-governmental organisations in the country, Pratham focuses on high-quality, low-cost and replicable interventions to address gaps in the education system. Working directly with children and youth as well as through large-scale collaborations with government systems, Pratham programmes reach millions of lives every year. Pratham's Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach has demonstrated a proven impact on children's learning outcomes and is now being adapted to contexts outside India.
- Navjyoti India Foundation: They have a remedial education programme that prevents vulnerable children from dropping out from mainstream education. Their education model provides holistic development through music, library, art and craft, life skills sessions, exposure trips, health, and hygiene. This is done through a service delivery system of 3S Model of:
Shiksha (Education) – Academic growth is basically loving for constant upgradation in academics and joyful learning. This love is reinforced through “doing” techniques to maintain their interest in education
Sanskaar (Values) – Early giving, sharing, sewa, gratitude, integrity, hard-work, discipline, sharing of joy, confidence building, sensitivity, awareness of the social evils, early awareness of their rights with responsibilities are imparted to strengthen the foundation of the children
Skills – This component enables the youth to identify, promote and enhance their inherent skill which comes so naturally to them, which could as well become a life vocation. The project operates out of the urban areas of Bawana resettlement colony located in North-west part of Delhi and rural areas of Sohna Block, Nayagaon (Gurgaon).
- The Akshaya Patra Foundation: Established in 2000 and headquartered in Bengaluru, the organisation addresses malnutrition and supports the right to education of disadvantaged children. Working on a public-private partnership model, it provides fresh and nutritious meals to children in government and government-aided schools as an implementing agency of the government’s midday meal schemes. Today, TAPF is the world’s largest not for profit run midday meal programme, serving 1.76 million children in 12 states. They aim to feed 5 million children by 2025. They have state of the art kitchens to scale up to their targets and on February 11, 2019, they commemorated the serving of 3 billion meals.
- Bodh Shiksha Samiti: Bodh Shiksha Samiti has evolved from experiences of collective action that helped establish a community school or bodhshala in Jaipur. The school was initiated in 1987 and has motivated India’s ultra-poor communities to transform their villages and slums into centers of educational excellence. It has pioneered the ‘common schools movement in India’, where schools (called Bodhshalas) are built, co-owned and co-managed by, mostly Below Poverty Line communities in areas untouched by the government education system. Its key strength lies in its emphasis on learning from varied community settings and classrooms and holding students, parents, and teachers in a tight loop of accountability and partnership.
Noteworthy CSR projects that support the cause of education
1. Tata Steel Limited
- Nearly 6,500 children who had left their studies or never attended any school were admitted into government schools, under ‘The Thousand Schools Project’. Improving the quality of education in the government schools of Odisha is the focus of The Thousand School Project. It is being implemented in three backward tribal districts i.e. Jajpur, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh.
- Scholarships: SC/ST students coming from economically weak families in Jharkhand and Odisha are given away Jyoti Fellowship, to support their school and college education. Every year nearly 3,000 students are supported through Jyoti Fellowship. Likewise, through Tata Steel Scholars Program, 83 academically bright SC/ST students from low-income families are being supported for pursuing their professional courses from country’s top-notch institutions.
- As marginalised students cannot afford private tuition, the company through Preparatory Coaching helped nearly 5,500 underprivileged school-goers of classes 8, 9 and 10 to hone skills in subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science.
- School drop-out girls in the 9-14 years age group undergo an 11-month bridge course at Camp Schools run by Tata Steel in Pipla (East Singhbhum) and Noamundi (West Singhbhum) and are mainstreamed to formal schools like Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya or other Government schools. Over the last 10 years, more than 1,700 girls have completed education at Camp School and been inducted into formal schools.
2. Hero Motocorp Ltd
Hero Motocorp is a big hero indeed when it comes to emphasising education for the girl child.
- Hero is committed to supporting the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative through CSR efforts focused at the girl child. They run a number of efforts for the cause through their ‘Hamari Pari’ initiative and one significant engagement was their association with the 'Selfie with Daughters' initiative of Punjab Kesari. The campaign spreads awareness about gender equality via mass participation of people across India.
- Team Hero runs regular drives to collect books, stationery, and other educational resources and distribute them among needy children. A part of the CSR spends also goes towards buying essential 'interactive' education material for programme beneficiaries like school bags. Employees also participate in this initiative and give their contributions by giving books during their book collection drive which are then given to needy students.
3. HDFC Bank
- Through ‘Katha Lab School’, they aim to provide holistic education to economically deprived children from all age groups. From vocational skills training to computer training to also catering to the needs of the differently-abled children, Katha has undertaken various measures to ensure the overall development of students' personalities. At present, they are engaging 400 beneficiaries in the state of Haryana through this initiative.
- With the intent to bring underprivileged children in mainstream education, they have collaborated with MelJol to introduce financial literacy among students in the states of Bihar and Chhattisgarh. They seek to encourage saving habits along with training them to think rationally and study effectively. At present, they are empowering 30,000 students.
- In the process of a child's education, a pivotal role is played by its educator. Through the Sri Aurobindo Society, they have reached out to train upto 2,00,000 teachers based majorly in rural Uttar Pradesh providing education to 2 crore school students in the state. The teachers were familiarised with the concept of innovation, thereby, encouraging them to implement 'Zero-Investment' innovative practices panning 40,000 schools in Uttar Pradesh.
- In response to the disaster in Jammu & Kashmir, they initiated a school rehabilitation programme in which they successfully renovated and restored close to 13 schools for underprivileged children. The project was completed in two years and impacted over 3000 students.
4. ITC
- Their Primary Education Programme aims to provide children from weaker sections of society in the organisation's factory catchment areas, access to education with a focus on learning outcomes and retention. Operational in 22 districts of 12 States, the programme covered 46,891 children during the year, thus taking the total coverage to nearly 5.60 lakh children. In addition, 162 government primary schools were provided infrastructure support comprising boundary walls, additional classrooms, sanitation units, and furniture, taking the total number of government primary schools covered till date to 1,644. To ensure sustainable operations and maintenance of the infrastructure provided, 351 School Management Committees were strengthened and 397 Child Cabinets and Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Committees were formed in various schools with the active involvement of students and teachers.
5. Bharti Airtel Limited
- The Satya Bharti School Programme is the flagship initiative of the Bharti Foundation. The rural education initiative provides quality education to underprivileged children, completely free of cost, with a special focus on the girl child. The programme envisions transforming students into educated, confident, responsible and self-reliant employable citizens of India with a deep sense of commitment to their society. The programme’s reach is multi-pronged, encouraging the active involvement of the rural community, parents of students and other organizations working in the field of education in India. The Satya Bharti School Programme is being implemented with the intent to arrive at replicable and scalable components of quality education which may be adopted by the Government and other like-minded organisations. Reaching out to thousands of underprivileged children, the programme, through its focus on holistic development, aims to bring forth a new generation of citizens eager to usher in positive change.
CSR funds utilised in the right way can bring in a huge positive change and bridge the gap between the privileged and underprivileged sections of our society. Luckily, we have a number of organisations working consistently and selflessly towards the cause. Corporates investing in the right projects can result in the upliftment of the weaker sections of society giving them a fair chance at leading a good life. It is quite appalling to note that crores of rupees dedicated to CSR activities are going unused.
In a country like India, where there are marked differences in society when it comes to accessibility to education, healthcare and much more, companies should invest in projects that aid them to give back to society. It is indeed heartening to note that as per the recent law, the unused funds won’t go wasted. However, it is not enough to know that they won’t go wasted. They need to be put to use where they are needed most.
Together, we can bring in the change.
In a move aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability, the Maharashtra School Education Department has initiated a comprehensive mapping of all teaching and non-teaching staff positions across government and aided schools in the state. This major exercise will align all staff posts with the approved ‘Sanction Structure’ and validate these positions against salary records in the state’s official payment processing system, Shalarth.
Mapping for Accountability
According to a recent report by Hindustan Times, the Maharashtra government has issued directives to all government, fully-aided, and partially-aided secondary schools, directing them to complete this mapping process by the end of June 2025. The initiative will involve verifying every teaching and non-teaching position against the Sanction Structure and matching these with salary records on the Shalarth portal, which is used for processing staff payments.
The mapping process will leverage an Application Programming Interface (API) developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), allowing the education department to cross-check the data submitted by schools for accuracy. Schools will be required to upload a PDF copy of their completed Sanction Structure mapping before the release of July salaries in August. Any institution failing to comply will face salary disbursement restrictions.
This exercise is a direct response to growing concerns about financial mismanagement in school staffing, including payments made to unauthorised or non-existent employees. The education department has made it clear that strict action will be taken against schools and staff who fail to comply with the new data submission guidelines. Salaries will be withheld in cases where schools delay or neglect the mapping process.
A senior education officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Hindustan Times, “We are taking a data-driven approach to ensure that only legitimate employees are drawing salaries from government funds. The mapping of posts and salary systems will bring transparency and accountability at every level.”
Implications and Potential as a National Model
This initiative has the potential to become a model for other states seeking to ensure transparency in education funding. If successful, the mapping drive can eliminate the problem of “ghost employees,” ensure the fair distribution of government funds, and prevent the influence of politically-backed illegal appointments. However, it also places significant pressure on school administrations, which must ensure complete and accurate data submission.
While the drive promotes accountability, there is a risk of administrative overload, especially in remote or understaffed schools. The use of digital tools, such as the API integration with Shalarth, is a positive step, but effective implementation will depend on user training and technical support.
If proven effective, Maharashtra’s staff mapping initiative could serve as a blueprint for other states in India to adopt a similar approach, ensuring that education funds are used solely for legitimate purposes.
Education
Indian Students Flock to Singapore, Ireland, and Dubai for Higher Studies: 38% Surge Recorded
Indian students are increasingly looking beyond traditional study-abroad destinations like the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. According to a recent report by Gradding.com, a study-abroad platform, the number of Indian students choosing countries like Singapore, Ireland, and Dubai has surged by 38%. This trend marks a significant shift in the preferences of Indian students seeking global education.
While the US, UK, and Australia have long been popular choices, the tightening of immigration policies and restrictive post-study visa rules in these countries have caused a decline in student interest. Canada experienced the biggest drop in Indian student enrollments at 41%, followed by the UK with a 27.7% decline and the US with 13%. In contrast, Singapore, Ireland, and Dubai have become preferred alternatives due to their globally recognised institutions, affordable education, and strong job markets.
Mamta Shekhawat, founder of Gradding.com, highlighted the changing landscape, stating, “The evolving preferences of Indian students reflect a transformative shift in global education dynamics. With destinations like Singapore, Ireland, and Dubai offering quality education, affordability, and strong career prospects, we’re witnessing a more informed and strategic approach to overseas education.”
The numbers reinforce this shift. The total number of Indian students studying abroad rose from 750,365 in 2022 to 892,989 in 2023, with a notable increase in those opting for lesser-explored destinations. Singapore, for instance, recorded a 25% year-on-year growth in Indian student enrolment.
The rise of these new destinations is attributed to their student-friendly policies, industry partnerships, and focus on emerging sectors such as finance, technology, and healthcare. As Indian students continue to explore alternative destinations, universities in Singapore, Ireland, and Dubai are expected to see a steady influx, reshaping the global education map.
Education
John King’s Book ‘Teacher By Teacher’: A Global Tribute to the Transformative Power of Education
For John B. King Jr., former U.S. Secretary of Education, school wasn’t just a place—it was a lifeline. In his newly released memoir, Teacher By Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives, King traces his journey from a grief-stricken child in New York to the corridors of educational leadership in Washington, D.C. But while the book is rooted in the American educational experience, its messages about the impact of teachers resonate far beyond U.S. borders.
In an exclusive interview with Education Week’s Sam Mallon on May 5, 2025, King reflected on his memoir, the teachers who shaped his life, and the ongoing challenges educators face worldwide.
A Childhood Saved by Teachers
King’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship. Following the death of his mother and his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s, school became King’s sanctuary. “Teachers saved my life,” he shared, recalling how educators believed in him, nurtured his potential, and gave him hope even when the world outside seemed dark.
From those formative years, King went on to earn degrees from Harvard, Columbia, and Yale. His career as a teacher, school principal, education policymaker, and eventually, U.S. Secretary of Education became a journey of giving back. The memoir celebrates not only King’s personal resilience but the quiet heroism of teachers everywhere.
Former Secretary of U.S Education John King. Image Source- EducationWeek
While King’s book is anchored in American education, the messages it carries are universally relevant. Teachers worldwide are grappling with challenges—overcrowded classrooms, mental health issues among students, and ever-changing education policies. In his interview with Education Week, King highlighted how schools must be more than academic factories. They must be safe havens, places of healing, and hubs of inspiration.
King advocates for “trauma-informed practice”—an approach where teachers are equipped to understand and support students facing emotional challenges. This is a lesson that transcends borders, as schools globally encounter rising mental health concerns among students.
Teacher Evaluations and Policy Pressures
King’s time as U.S. Secretary of Education was marked by ambitious reforms—from implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to pushing for more rigorous teacher evaluation systems. But looking back, he acknowledges a key lesson: change cannot be forced without teacher buy-in.
“Teachers can’t be bombarded with reforms,” he explained. Change must be gradual, and educators must feel a sense of ownership over new policies.
King’s narrative is ultimately about hope. In his memoir, he shares how a single teacher’s encouragement can change a student’s life trajectory. He recalls how his father’s legacy as New York’s first Black deputy schools chief was kept alive by a former student who, years later, shared how impactful his father’s teaching was.
Teaching is more than a job—it is a calling. It is a force for social good, a platform for mentorship, and a means to nurture the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and dreamers. King’s Teacher By Teacher is a reminder that educators everywhere have the power to transform lives, often without even knowing it.
Though written from an American perspective, Teacher By Teacher is a love letter to educators everywhere. It is a call to support teachers, to understand the pressures they face, and to recognise the life-changing impact they can have on their students.
For a world that often takes teachers for granted, John King’s memoir is a reminder of the heroes who stand at the front of every classroom, ready to make a difference.
Excerpts referenced in this article were taken from John King's exclusive interview with Education Week on May 5, 2025, in Washington, conducted by Sam Mallon for Education Week.
Education
Operation Sindoor and Operation Abhyaas: Navigating School Safety and Student Well-being Amid Rising Tensions
In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure across the border. This military action has prompted heightened security measures nationwide, including the closure of schools in several border districts and the initiation of Operation Abhyaas—a nationwide civil defence mock drill aimed at bolstering emergency preparedness.
As a precautionary step, educational institutions in border districts of Punjab (Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Amritsar, Gurdaspur), Rajasthan (Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer), and Jammu & Kashmir have been temporarily closed. These closures aim to ensure the safety of students and staff amid potential cross-border hostilities.
Operation Abhyaas: Enhancing Emergency Preparedness
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated Operation Abhyaas, a comprehensive civil defence exercise conducted across 244 districts. This drill encompasses activities such as air-raid siren tests, blackout simulations, evacuation procedures, and public training sessions. In Delhi, for instance, 55 locations are participating in the drill, involving students, teachers, and civil defence volunteers.
Addressing Student Anxiety and Promoting Well-being
The current climate of uncertainty and the implementation of mock drills can understandably lead to anxiety among students. Educators and school administrators play a pivotal role in mitigating these concerns:
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Open Communication: Provide age-appropriate explanations about the drills and current events, reassuring students about the measures taken for their safety.
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Emotional Support: Encourage students to express their feelings and provide support through counseling services or designated safe spaces within the school.
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Routine and Normalcy: Maintain regular school routines to provide a sense of stability and normalcy for students.
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Parental Involvement: Engage with parents to keep them informed and involved in addressing their children’s concerns.
While the current geopolitical situation necessitates heightened security and preparedness, it is crucial to balance these measures with the emotional and psychological well-being of students. Through proactive communication, support, and engagement, educators can help students navigate these challenging times with resilience and understanding.
The Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduate admissions (CUET-UG) 2025, originally scheduled to commence on May 8, is likely to be postponed, according to sources close to the National Testing Agency (NTA). While an official confirmation is still awaited, fresh dates for the examination are expected to be announced shortly.
The delay follows the recently concluded NEET-UG examination—an extensive exercise that required significant logistical oversight, especially as NEET had faced scrutiny last year over alleged integrity lapses.
Despite the approaching exam date, the NTA has yet to release the subject-wise date sheet for CUET-UG 2025, adding to the anticipation and confusion among over 1.35 million applicants—marking the highest-ever number of registrations for the exam since its inception.
This year, CUET-UG will be conducted exclusively in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, signifying a notable departure from the hybrid format adopted in 2024. The hybrid model was introduced to accommodate varied digital access across regions, but also led to logistical complications. In fact, the 2024 CUET-UG exam was abruptly cancelled across Delhi the night before it was scheduled due to operational constraints.
The first edition of CUET-UG in 2022 was marred by technical issues and inconsistencies across multiple shifts, necessitating a complex score normalisation process. The shift to a fully CBT format this year is expected to streamline operations, but the current delay and lack of clarity raise questions about preparedness.
As undergraduate admissions in central universities and several private institutions are now tied to CUET-UG, any delay in the exam calendar has a cascading effect on the academic schedule.
Students and stakeholders are advised to monitor the official NTA website for updates on the revised dates and examination guidelines.
Education
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025: Nominations Now Open for India’s Young Achievers
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, has officially opened nominations for the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2025, a national-level award that celebrates the exceptional achievements of children across the country. The last date to submit nominations is 31st July 2025, and applications must be submitted online via the official Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.
Open to children aged between 5 and 18 years as on 31 July 2025, the PMRBP recognises outstanding contributions in six categories: Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art & Culture, and Science & Technology. Children may be nominated by individuals or institutions, and self-nominations are also allowed.
To apply, nominators must register on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal with essential details such as name, date of birth, contact information, and Aadhaar number. After logging in, users must select “Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025” under the ongoing nominations section. The application requires a detailed description (maximum 500 words) of the nominee’s achievement and its societal impact, along with supporting documents and a recent photograph.
Do you know a young hero whose story can inspire the entire nation?
Nominate them today athttps://t.co/7nl4GXleo8
Hurry! The last date to submit is 31st July 2025.#PMRBP2025 #VeerBaalDiwas@PIBWCD | @mygovindia | @PMOIndia | @EduMinOfIndia pic.twitter.com/i3gVto5gzh— Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) May 2, 2025
The award, conferred annually by the President of India at a ceremonial function in New Delhi, is regarded as one of the highest civilian honours for children. It aims to inspire India’s youth by showcasing exemplary stories of courage, innovation, and leadership among peers.
At a time when young people are shaping conversations on climate, technology, arts, and inclusive change, initiatives like the PMRBP are a powerful reminder that excellence can begin early—and deserves national recognition.
For detailed eligibility criteria and application guidelines, visit https://awards.gov.in.
Over two decades since it first opened its doors to the children of the mountains, Druk Padma Karpo School in Ladakh—popularly known as Rancho’s School from the iconic film 3 Idiots—has officially received affiliation from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). This marks a significant milestone for the cold desert institution that has long stood at the intersection of innovative education and cinematic fame.
A Long Journey to Recognition
Founded in 2001 and lauded for its unconventional teaching methods and sustainable campus, the school was until recently affiliated with the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (JKBOSE). Despite meeting high academic and infrastructural standards, the school faced delays in securing the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) from JKBOSE.
“We had been trying to get CBSE affiliation even before Ladakh became a Union Territory,” shared Principal Mingur Angmo. “Now, with the affiliation in place, our first batch of Class 10 students has already appeared for their CBSE board exams.”
The affiliation brings with it new opportunities: the school is preparing to expand its offerings up to Class 12 by 2028 and is currently training its teachers to align with CBSE’s evolving curriculum—especially in the wake of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).
Where Cinema Meets Classroom
Made famous as the backdrop for several scenes in 3 Idiots, including the now-legendary “Rancho’s Wall,” Druk Padma Karpo has become a frequent stop for tourists visiting Ladakh. The wall was relocated in 2018 to reduce disruptions to the school’s learning environment, but its legacy continues.
Even today, visitors are occasionally allowed to witness school activities, like student-led mock elections and sustainability projects. The school’s philosophy blends hands-on learning with real-world problem-solving—long before such practices became policy prescriptions.
A Symbol of Change for Ladakh’s Schools
The CBSE affiliation is more than a moment of celebration for Druk Padma Karpo—it sets a precedent for other schools in Ladakh still affiliated with JKBOSE. With discussions about forming a separate territorial education board underway, this development might serve as a roadmap for institutions in similar limbo.
More importantly, CBSE affiliation opens pathways for Druk Padma Karpo’s students to pursue higher education and career opportunities across India and abroad, thanks to the broader recognition of the national board’s credentials.
As Principal Angmo noted, “Our approach to education has always been different—focused on understanding rather than rote learning. With CBSE now also moving towards competency-based teaching after NEP, we’re optimistic about merging our ethos with national reforms.”
The story of Druk Padma Karpo School is a reminder that good education can come from the most unexpected places—sometimes even from a windswept plateau framed by the Himalayas. With its blend of tradition and transformation, the school now embarks on a new chapter—one where storytelling, cinema, sustainability, and structured pedagogy go hand in hand.
By the year 2050, India is expected to be home to the largest population of children in the world—an estimated 350 million. That’s nearly the entire population of the United States, but all under the age of 18.
This projection, from UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children 2024 report, is more than just a statistic—it’s a call to action. As the demographic centre of the world’s children shifts firmly toward South Asia, and particularly India, the pressure on educational systems, teacher preparedness, and infrastructure is mounting. The big question is: Are we ready?
The Numbers Behind the Challenge
According to the report, while the global child population will remain relatively stable at 2.3 billion in the 2050s, regional distributions are changing dramatically. South Asia, including India, will continue to shoulder a significant share, even as fertility rates fall in other parts of the world.
India alone is projected to have:
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350 million children under the age of 18 by 2050
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14.9% of the global child population
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A drop of 106 million children compared to early 2000s figures, but still the largest youth population worldwide
Despite this, a substantial proportion of these children will live in economically disadvantaged conditions. The report notes that the number of children in today’s low-income countries is expected to double, and 23% of the global child population will live in these regions by the 2050s—up from just 11% in the 2000s.
A System Under Strain
The implications for India’s schooling system are significant. Even today, the challenges are visible: overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and disparities in access to quality learning, especially in rural and marginalised communities. If this is the reality now, one can only imagine the stress an additional 350 million young minds will put on the system without robust intervention.
To meet this demographic surge, India must accelerate investments in:
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School infrastructure: New schools, more classrooms, better facilities.
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Teacher recruitment and training: Prioritising not just numbers, but competency-based teaching skills.
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EdTech and blended learning: With thoughtful integration—not replacement—of classroom learning, digital tools can help bridge accessibility gaps.
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Early childhood education: Foundational learning cannot be delayed. A larger young population needs stronger ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education) implementation.
Curriculum That Looks Forward
With more children set to live in urban areas by 2050—three out of five, globally—the way education is designed will need to adapt to rapidly urbanising societies. This isn’t just about adding schools in cities. It’s about rethinking the curriculum for a generation that will grow up digitally native, climate-conscious, and globally connected.
Curriculum designers will need to move beyond rote learning and into 21st-century skills: critical thinking, emotional intelligence, environmental literacy, and AI readiness. It also means preparing children to live in an ageing society, where intergenerational support systems might look very different from today.
The Teachers of Tomorrow
The report highlights that dependency ratios—the number of dependents (children and elderly) per working-age adult—will remain high in regions like South Asia. This makes the role of teachers not just instructional, but transformational. Teachers will be frontline policymakers, social workers, and innovators all rolled into one.
Investing in teacher training today means investing in the emotional, cognitive, and social development of future generations. This also includes mental health support for both students and educators, as the pressures of this shift begin to take hold.
Why the World is Watching India
India’s role on the global education stage is about to become even more prominent. With the largest share of the world’s children, its policies, pilot programmes, public-private partnerships, and pedagogy will shape not only its own future—but serve as a model (or a warning) for the rest of the world.
UNICEF’s report urges governments to act now, not later, to shape the future. The youngest future belongs to India. Whether it’s a dividend or a disaster depends on the choices we make today.
For the first time since 1931, India is set to conduct a nationwide caste census—a move that has stirred political headlines and, perhaps, textbook margins too.
Announced officially by the Union Government this week, the caste enumeration will be included in the upcoming national census, marking a significant shift in how demographic data is collected and analysed. While states like Bihar have recently undertaken caste surveys, this is the first time in post-independence India that the Centre has agreed to officially gather detailed caste data, beyond the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) traditionally documented since 1951.
So, what exactly is a caste census?
Think of it as a social snapshot. A caste census doesn’t just count—it maps. It records the distribution of caste groups across India and looks at their access to education, employment, housing, and welfare. The aim is to help policymakers understand who’s thriving, who’s still struggling, and where gaps remain.
Why should schools care?
Because this isn’t just data for government files—it’s a lesson in equity, diversity, and history.
The caste census is more than a bureaucratic exercise. It’s an opportunity for educators to unpack centuries of India’s complex social structure and help young minds make sense of why some policies exist in the first place. Reservation, affirmative action, social justice—these are not just chapter headings. They’re real-world mechanisms built on understanding where society stands.
For school students, this could be a way to understand that historical inequality doesn’t disappear just because it’s uncomfortable to discuss. Including caste enumeration as a case study in Social Science classes can foster honest, inclusive conversations about privilege, access, and opportunity.
We can rightly put it by saying, “Understanding caste isn’t about division, it’s about awareness.”
From 1931 to 2025: What changed?
Under British rule, caste was recorded in every Census between 1881 and 1931. After independence, India stopped documenting caste broadly, focusing only on SCs and STs. The last comprehensive attempt was the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), but its data was never officially released due to questions around accuracy.
This latest announcement, therefore, is more than a policy decision—it’s a social reckoning.
And while political parties like the Congress have long demanded such a survey, arguing it’s crucial for equitable development, its inclusion now provides a teachable moment for the education system.
Making it student-friendly
Here’s how schools can make the caste census more accessible and meaningful to students:
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Storytelling through data: Use infographics and classroom discussions to show how socio-economic progress varies across communities.
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Project-based learning: Let students study their local area’s access to public services—schools, hospitals, ration shops—and link it back to the idea of representation.
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Debate and dialogue: Create spaces where students can discuss reservations, inclusion, and diversity with sensitivity and empathy.
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Historical comparisons: Encourage students to trace how the Census evolved over time and what it tells us about India’s changing priorities.
In an age of growing data literacy, this is a golden chance to show students how numbers can tell stories—and how those stories can shape policy and perception.
Because education isn’t just about teaching history—it’s about helping students read between the lines of it.
In a move poised to bring relief to thousands of parents, the Delhi government has approved the Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees 2025 Bill. The draft legislation, passed during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, aims to regulate and standardise the fee structure in all 1,677 schools across the capital—including private, aided, and unaided institutions.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister Gupta termed the decision “historic and brave,” stating that for the first time, a “foolproof” framework would be established to bring fee transparency across all types of schools in Delhi. “There was no prior mechanism to regulate fee hikes. This Bill will ensure a clear guideline and procedure that schools must follow,” she said.
The development comes amid a rising number of complaints from parents regarding steep and unexplained fee hikes. The Chief Minister also highlighted growing concerns about alleged student harassment in the name of unpaid or increased fees.
To implement the new regulations, Education Minister Ashish Sood announced the formation of a three-tier committee system. These panels will be responsible for reviewing and approving fee structures every three years, factoring in a school’s infrastructure, facilities, and resources.
In a notable step towards inclusive governance, the committees will include three teachers and five parents, selected through a draw of lots. These members will collaboratively determine the permissible fee slabs, thereby ensuring both transparency and stakeholder participation.
The government’s move is also part of a broader crackdown on schools accused of imposing arbitrary and excessive fees. Education officials confirmed that investigations are underway and that regulatory action will follow wherever needed.
As part of its education reform efforts under the National Education Policy 2020, the Delhi government’s focus on equity, accountability, and participatory decision-making marks a significant shift in how school finances are monitored in the national capital.
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