5) The demographic dividend of India is bound to turn into a curse if the education system is not overhauled over the next decade. In this context critically analyze the issues and challenges faced by the education system in the country and justify the need for a systemic approach to reforming education system in the country. (250 words)

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

5) The demographic dividend of India is bound to turn into a curse if the education system is not overhauled over the next decade. In this context critically analyze the issues and challenges faced by the education system in the country and justify the need for a systemic approach to reforming education system in the country. (250 words)

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Why this question:

The article highlights an  approach to reform the education system in India, it recognizes that piecemeal initiatives are unlikely to improve student learning, thus its high time to take up a systemic approach to reform the current system to save the demographic dividend from turning into a demographic disaster.

Key demand of the question:

The question expects you to provide for a detailed picture of the scenario, you must detail upon the issues and challenges being faced by the system and highlight the need for systematic approach as a solution.

Directive word

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Critically analyze – When asked to analyze, you  have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.

Structure of the answer

Introduction:  

Start with highlighting the importance of education system for the country’s progress on all fronts.

Body:  

Body should discuss the following broad aspects in detail –

• Current Issues of Education system in India
• Necessity of a systematic approach; its impact
• Way forward

Conclusion:

Conclude with what way can we shorten the distance between the nation’s current state of education and its aspirations, end the answer with optimism, quote examples of government’s initiatives policies in this direction.