Failing to Learn: India's Schools and Teachers

Saha, B.; Saha, S.

Abstract

India has made substantial progress in expanding schooling facilities and is now poised to achieve universal primary education; however, children’s learning is not improving. Two major national assessment surveys showed that the numeracy and literacy skills of primary school children are far below what is expected, possibly by 2–3 years behind where they should be for their age. This chapter reviews some recent research that investigated the causes of the dire student learning situation. Four specific issues are addressed: the efficiency and effectiveness of private versus public schools, teacher incentives and remedial learning, early childhood education and the substitutability between schooling and early work near the end of secondary schooling. While there is a consensus regarding improving teacher incentives, early childhood education and remedial education, the debate on the efficiency of public versus private schools remains open. There are some subject areas, especially English, where private schools are better both absolutely and cost-effectively; however, these schools are also characterised by poorly-trained teachers. India’s New Education Policy needs to urgently and comprehensively address these problems.

Citation

Saha, B., & Saha, S. (2018). Failing to Learn: India's Schools and Teachers. In R. Prasad, C. Rowley, & A. Banerjee (Eds.), Changing the Indian economy : renewal, reform and revival (55-75). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-102005-0.00004-6

• Online Publication Date: Jun 8, 2018
• Publication Date: Jun 8, 2018
• Deposit Date: Apr 26, 2018
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Pages: 55-75
• Series Title: Elsevier Asian studies series
• Book Title: Changing the Indian economy : renewal, reform and revival.
• ISBN: 9780081020050
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-102005-0.00004-6
• Keywords: Early education, Learning, Private school, Public school, Remedial learning, Teacher incentives.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1659748
• Contract Date: Apr 26, 2018