Improving Education for Children Living in Poverty

Source: The post Improving Education for Children Living in Poverty has been created, based on the article “Indian school education is in need of a radical reboot” published in “Live mint” on 9th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.

Context: The article discusses the challenges of improving foundational literacy and numeracy in schools, especially for children living in poverty. It highlights the need for better teacher-student ratios, improved resources, better nutrition, social worker support, and a radical rethinking of curriculum and school structures. Improving Education for Children Living in Poverty

For detailed information on Challenges and Solutions of the Indian Education System read this article here

What are the challenges faced by children in poverty?

1. Children in poverty have less access to resources, care, and supervision.
2. They face poor nutrition, frequent illnesses, and higher absenteeism.
3. Stress and mental health issues caused by poverty impact learning.
4. These challenges are understood sociologically but not addressed adequately in curriculum or teaching methods.

How can schools improve educational outcomes for these children?

1. Implementing Basic Requirements: Schools need more teachers, especially in rural and disadvantaged areas, to maintain reasonable pupil-teacher ratios (PTR). The article suggests that instead of a standard 30:1 ratio, a 15:1 ratio might be more effective for schools serving impoverished communities. Corruption in teacher education needs addressing, and a supportive and empowering culture for teachers is crucial.
2. Enhancing Resources and Support: Schools should be equipped with adequate classroom spaces, toilets with running water, and sufficient high-quality learning materials. Social workers should be employed to help manage children’s individual needs and engage with their families.
3. Improving Nutrition: The nutritional content of school meals should be improved. The current budget for midday meals is very low, at ₹5.50 per meal, with some states providing additional funds for milk or eggs. A nutritious breakfast should also be provided to help children learn better.

What structural changes are needed in the school system?

1. There is need to shift from age-based classes to grouping students by learning levels, which would allow for more personalized and effective teaching.
2. Teachers could focus on building students’ knowledge based on their current learning levels.
3. Additionally, reducing the curriculum load, as recognized by the National Education Policy and the National Curriculum Framework 2023, to focus on essential learning and reduce unnecessary educational pressure.

Question for practice:

Examine how structural and resource-related challenges in schools contribute to poor educational outcomes for children living in poverty.