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India's Schools Crumble: A Nation's Neglect
21 Aug
Summary
- Government schools face severe disrepair, with many classrooms unusable.
- India allocates only 4.1% of GDP to education, below the recommended 6%.
- A campaign highlights neglected rural schools, seeking infrastructure improvements.
A government-run primary school in Faridabad, near Delhi, exemplifies the critical infrastructure issues plaguing schools in rural India. Despite recent cosmetic improvements, the building suffers from falling plaster, unusable toilets, and flooded classrooms. This deterioration is symptomatic of broader underfunding, with India allocating only 4.1% of its GDP to education, significantly less than the 6% recommended by experts and the National Education Policy.
Official data reveals the closure of 94,000 government schools between 2014-15 and 2024-25, with some mergers occurring. However, the demand for private schools has also risen, indicating a decline in enrollment in public institutions. The Cockroach Janta Party's satirical campaign, #SchoolThikKaro, is now spotlighting this crisis. It aims to highlight the neglect of rural schools and advocate for equal opportunities for children in villages compared to those in cities.
The campaign gained traction following the NEET exam scandal, which led to the resignation of the Education Minister. The #SchoolThikKaro movement seeks to address decades of neglect, ensuring that children from rural backgrounds have access to the same quality of education and facilities as their urban counterparts, thereby breaking cycles of limited opportunities.
