Most people believe that India is currently one of the developing countries, which means that not enough attention is paid to education. In fact, this statement is completely false. India has already come out of that unpleasant economic situation, and the country's educational institutions are now providing the highest level of education. Many people know that this country has a rich historical heritage. Previously, India occupied a leading position in the educational services market. The country then experienced a difficult period that ended several decades ago. A lot of attention is paid to education in India; the state needs highly qualified specialists more than ever.
History of education
When talking about studying in this country, it is impossible to ignore the topic of history. As you know, India was the largest cultural and educational center in the world. In 700 BC. e. it was here that the first university was founded. In India, the beginnings of such serious sciences as algebra and trigonometry were laid. On the territory of this country, Sanskrit (an ancient literary language) was created, which became the basis of many other European languages.
The history of education in India is so diverse and vast that it would not take forever to study everything. The art of navigation was born here. Oddly enough, this is where the word that now sounds like “navigation” came from. In those days it sounded “navgatih”, which translated means “ship navigation”.
Education in Ancient India was considered to be of the highest quality at that time. A local scientist, Shridharacharya, introduced the concept of quadratic equations. Every year discoveries were made, which today are a very valuable asset.
Why India?
Anna: The founders of the “Fishermen Fund” realized that their ambitious ideas should be presented not only in Russia, but also abroad. Then we set a Eurasian framework and thought that the education market in India was the right place to start with. Firstly, because of the population: officially only 1.3 billion people live here, and among them consumers of all strata are represented - the rich, the middle class, the poor. These are people who want to be educated, and those who do not yet know about their desire.
The second factor is India’s geographic location and interaction with partner countries. We are a member of BRICS and other international organizations with this country, which provides more opportunities for synergy and joint achievement of goals.
Thirdly, actually: India - why not?
Boris: This trip had a backstory. At the EdCrunch conference, we met the CEO of the transnational educational platform edX, Anant Agarwal. He invited us to look at the educational system in India with our own eyes.
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We were interested in the experience - how to deploy education in open environments with the help of universities, the Internet, educational centers, and certification centers. India is one of the leading countries in this regard. Today, India has a huge army of software engineers who have been able to enter the global labor market thanks to new forms of education. As a matter of fact, we went to see this educational miracle.
An educational miracle grows here: it is one of the central streets of the city of Neemrana, at the entrance to the NIIT University campus.
Preschool education
It is worth noting that kindergartens, as we understand them, do not exist in this country. In India, it is customary for the mother to sit with the child until a certain age and teach him. This tradition dates back to ancient times and is diligently followed.
However, recently, due to the fact that both parents are forced to work, there is simply no one to leave the child with. Therefore, certain groups began to be created at preparatory schools. They are divided according to the age of the children and the time the pupils spent in them. Usually kids spend several hours there, learning while playing with the teacher.
In most cases, if a child is a member of one of these groups, he goes to the school where it was created. Then parents do not need to waste their time choosing an educational institution. Preschool education in India is represented only by these groups, which not all children attend.
Features of Indian education
Preschool education
Before entering school, Indian children are educated through a system of nurseries and kindergartens. The nursery accepts babies aged 6 months and older. At this stage, the educational process can continue until the age of three. From three to five (six) years old, children are educated in kindergartens, which are usually the first level of primary school.
Indian educational system from start to finish
There are public and private preschools in India . Moreover, there are almost 2 times more private kindergartens. The services of municipal children's institutions are, as a rule, free, except for small fees for household needs from the administration and donations from parents. However, the quality of education here is lower than in private institutions where parents pay for the service.
...My son went to kindergarten in India, and now he goes to Moscow. My personal opinion is that in an Indian kindergarten they give a child almost free of charge what they would have to shell out a lot of money for in Moscow. Because in state kindergartens in Moscow children are not taught, but supported. Moreover, constant fees from the parent committee are not clear for what. At the first opportunity, when I am in India, I will try to send my son to a local traditional kindergarten. The only problem was food, in Moscow they provide food, in India they don’t...
Nadezda Lisina
https://ttshka.livejournal.com/103803.html?thread=1499771#t1499771
...Classical Indian kindergarten. Private. But only children from the poorest families go to state kindergartens here. Ours costs a little over $10 a month. Many people can afford this...
ttshka
https://ttshka.livejournal.com/103803.html?thread=1501563#t1501563
School education in India
Children between the ages of 5 and 14 must receive compulsory schooling. The school year in Indian schools begins in late March - early April. Studying at schools is divided into two semesters: April-September, October-March. The longest school holidays are in May-June, when many parts of India are covered in heat (45–55º C).
School education is compulsory in India
Compulsory education is a government policy priority in India . Approximately 80% of primary schools are state owned or supported by the authorities. Training is free. Parents of students pay only small amounts for school expenses. All training costs are covered by the state.
Indian schools are divided into types:
- municipal,
- state,
- private with state support,
- boarding schools,
- special schools.
Municipal and non-governmental schools are managed and financed locally by state administrations and local national education councils. As a rule, parents of public school students pay tuition fees for their children once - upon admission. Most of the public schools in India are affiliated with CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and ICSE (International Center for Secondary Education).
Public schools are funded and managed solely by the national government. This type of institution has the lowest cost of education services. Funds for maintenance are allocated by the state and CBSE branches operating in the territory where the school is located. In public schools, all teachers are male. Students are required to wear a school uniform . Moreover, each school provides students with uniforms of individual style.
Many private Indian schools require you to wear a uniform.
Private schools with state support do not belong to the state, but operate according to the rules established by the Indian authorities. Tuition fees here vary depending on the level of service and prestige . Therefore, rates can range from $15 for a month of training to $15 for one day of lessons.
Boarding schools are an educational structure that provides not only conditions for study, but also for living. Boarding school services are paid - from $2,300 to $6,000 per year.
Special schools in India are designed for children who need special care and have developmental disabilities. Children receive standard or vocational education in special schools and acquire the skills necessary for a full life.
...Each Indian school has its own school uniform, which includes not only shirts, skirts, jackets and trousers, but even socks, ties and boots. The little ones must wear badges that indicate their name and address...
Anna Alexandrova
https://pedsovet.su/publ/172–1-0–5156
Video about school from an Indian student
High school in India
Indians usually complete the senior secondary school stage in 6 years (12–18). The last two years are considered high-level secondary education with a vocational and technical focus. From the age of 15, everyone has the opportunity to take exams approved by the directives of UGC, NCERT, CBSE .
UGC (University Grants Commission) is a commission for university grants in Sri Lanka. It is engaged, among other things, in regulating the admission of applicants to universities. NCERT (National Council of Educational Research) is the national council of educational research. CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) is the central board of secondary education that approves examination processes in schools.
The standard examination process is designed for students aged 17–18 years (completion of secondary school). Successful completion of the examination procedure means receiving a certificate of completed secondary education. The document is necessary for everyone who plans to improve their knowledge through higher education in India.
International schools
In January 2015, there were more than 400 International Class Schools (ISC) operating in India. International schools provide complete secondary education, usually in English. In addition to school knowledge, ISC students acquire vocational and technical skills.
Many of the international schools are positioned as public ones . Teaching in such institutions is modeled on British public schools. These are expensive and prestigious educational institutions, among which we can highlight, for example, Delhi Public Schools or Frank Anthony Public Schools.
Education in Indian Colleges
The number of Indian colleges in 2011 exceeded 33 thousand institutions. Of this number, 1800 had the status of women's educational institutions. In fact, this type of educational platforms belongs to the country’s higher education system. Numerous courses are organized at the colleges, covering the humanities and natural sciences, as well as courses in foreign languages, in particular English. Many colleges belong to Indian universities. In fact, they are all the initial stage of university education.
Colleges, as a rule, represent the initial stage of university education
The priority direction of study in colleges is technical and technological specialties. Medical education and business management are also considered popular. Technical colleges in India are often called institutes. The list of the best institutes contains more than 500 items. Here are just the first 5 from the list:
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
- Kanpur Institute of Technology.
- National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli.
- Punjab Institute of Engineering and Technology.
Schools
The country has a law that stipulates that all citizens, regardless of social status, must receive basic secondary education. There are a number of free public schools here, but it is still recommended to send your child to a private institution. This is due to the quality of education, the level of which is much higher in prestigious schools. The cost of such pleasure will be approximately $100 per month.
The education system in India is structured in such a way that completion of 10th grade is mandatory. Children enter school at the age of 4 and are educated until they are 14. Then those who choose to continue their education enter high school for 2 years.
The peculiarity of private institutions is their emphasis on language skills. They teach not only Hindi, but also English. Moreover, after graduating from school, the child speaks both languages fluently.
Primary School
Children begin studying in schools at age 5, compulsory education lasts until age 14. The school year here begins in March and is divided into two semesters. The first lasts from April to September, the second from October to March. The holidays begin in May and continue until the end of June. During these months, the temperature in the country rises to 55 C, and in such heat it is difficult for children to concentrate on their studies.
About 80% of schools belong to the state, the rest are private. Education is free, parents can donate money only for household needs. All schools can be divided into several groups:
- municipal;
- government;
- private;
- boarding schools;
- special.
Public schools are practically free, and all the teachers here are men. Each institution has a unique style of uniform, and students are required to wear it. The government provides children with everything: in terms of clothing, they are given shirts, trousers and skirts, underwear, jackets and boots; and from school supplies - textbooks and everything necessary for mastering the material.
Municipal institutions are provided by the local administration. Parents must pay only once - when the child enters first grade. Private institutions are subject to rules set by the state. And how much it costs to study there depends on the level of prestige and service. The fee may vary: from $15 per month to $10 per day.
Children can live in boarding schools while studying, but the cost of education is high - $2,300-6,000 per year. And special schools are designed for inclusive education. Children with disabilities in physical or mental development study here.
Higher Education in India
In this country there are 3 levels of higher education: bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The duration of training directly depends on the chosen specialty. So, if you want to become an expert in the field of trading, you will have to study for three years. And the training period for obtaining a specialty in medicine or agriculture is four years. To enter a higher education institution for any of the programs, you must have a certificate of complete secondary education. After completing a bachelor's degree, there is the opportunity to study for a master's degree.
The most popular majors at Indian universities are information technology, management, jewelry making and pharmacology. For local residents, training can be free. As for foreign students, they are provided with a budget only if they have a grant. The price of education, compared to European universities, is low. To study at the most prestigious higher education institution, you need to pay $15,000 per year. Distance education has become very popular here.
Disadvantages or features of universities in India
- Specific learning style. In classes, so-called “rote learning” is often used. This is a method of memorization through repeated repetition. This approach may be unusual for those who are used to attending seminars. Rote learning has a bad effect on the development of analytical skills and does not teach you to think independently.
- Competitive environment. The best Indian universities have high competition for admission. And those who managed to pass face a lot of competition in the group. Getting grades higher than other students becomes more important than knowledge itself. This creates an unfavorable psychological environment.
Distance learning higher education without the Unified State Exam is real and achievable
The best universities in the country
India ranks third in the world in the number of higher education institutions, with more than 200 institutions, where about six million people study. Each university has its own peculiarity that sets it apart from others. Education in India is reaching a new level precisely because of the uniqueness of its institutions.
One of the oldest universities is Nalanda University. It was founded in the fifth century AD. e. Recently, reconstruction took place, and until 2020 there will be 7 faculties operating there. Rajasthan University produces the best specialists in the field of agriculture.
One of the leading universities in India is the M. Gandhi University. This university has the best teachers. Here you can get a specialty in the following programs: medicine, physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, philosophy, etc. The level of education in India is quite high thanks to such educational institutions.
How is the educational process going?
The main feature of education in this country is that it is taught in English. Almost all educational institutions in India use this language to communicate with students. To enter any university, you need to know English well. There are no schools or universities where they teach in Russian in India.
The school year here begins not in September, but in July. Moreover, each educational institution chooses the start date of the semester (from July 1 to July 20). Holidays for Indian students fall in May and June, which are the hottest months of the year. As for the uniform, girls always wear long dresses, while guys can wear a shirt or T-shirt with shorts.
Residence in the country
Living and eating conditions in the Indian state differ significantly from conditions in the USA and Western Europe. Many students note a significant difference in nutrition. In India they do not eat either pork or beef. Only poultry meat can be found on the market. Instead of bread, traders offer to buy flatbread. A rather difficult situation has developed in healthcare. Finding some medications in pharmacies is quite problematic. There is no strict intensive training in India. The educational process is often interrupted due to numerous holidays.
How can a foreigner enter a university?
To become a student at one of the higher educational institutions in India, you must have a certificate of complete secondary education. It is worth noting that a Russian-style certificate is equivalent to an Indian one. That is, you do not need to take additional courses, with the exception of English. A document confirming knowledge of the world's most popular language is a prerequisite for admission to a bachelor's degree.
To become a master, you need to provide a certificate of complete secondary education and a bachelor's diploma. The only condition for all documents is that they must be translated into English, and copies certified by a notary. There is no practice of entrance exams; only some educational institutions organize additional tests.
Preschool education
There is no pre-school education system in India as such. The country has traditionally developed home preschool education. Until the age of four, the child is at home under the supervision of the mother. If both parents are busy at work, they resort to the services of a nanny or relatives. Some schools have preparatory groups where you can still send your child if it is not possible to educate him at home. In such groups, the child spends most of the day and, in addition to being under constant supervision, goes through the stage of preparing for school and even begins to learn foreign languages (mostly English).
Children in India begin to attend school very early - usually from the age of four.
Scholarships and grants
Until recently, only local residents could receive free education in India. However, due to the increasing popularity of universities, this opportunity is now available to foreigners. In order to take part in the competition, you must fill out an application. Every year, leading universities in India allocate several budget places for foreign citizens. The whole thing is organized by the Council for Cultural Relations.
Grants are provided for various specialties. Anyone can apply and maybe they will be lucky enough to become a student at one of the Indian universities.
Citizens of Russia and CIS countries can receive free education in India through government funding programs. The most popular among them is ITEC. This program offers training on a budgetary basis from a federal university in India in one of the specialties: management, banking or public relations. However, this offer provides a stipend of $100 per month to the student. Plus, free accommodation in a hotel or hostel is provided.
Special programs
Not long ago, applicants from Russia had the opportunity to study in the Indian state under a special ITEC program. This program is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their acquired knowledge and skills. Anyone who wants to improve their skills can also take part in the program. The duration of courses varies from 14 days to 52 weeks.
The main advantage of this program is that the participant does not need to pay for flights, meals and accommodation. You can take part in the program by filling out and submitting an application form. You can apply for the program at an Indian diplomatic post.
Program participants receive a stipend of 5.0 thousand Indian rupees. The amount of the scholarship cannot be called large, but this amount is enough for everyday needs. Considering that anyone may encounter unexpected expenses, it is necessary to have personal money with you. On average, a student needs to have $300/month.
Living conditions for students
It should be noted that, despite the high level of education in India, living here is not so easy. This is due to differences in the conditions to which we are accustomed. For example, if you take food, you will not find the usual meat, bread or dairy products. In India there is only poultry and cakes. Pharmacies do not sell iodine or other conventional medicines.
Traffic is also a problem here. Traffic lights and pedestrian crossings are installed only in the largest cities. You can see many beggars and dirty people on the streets. Those who consider themselves squeamish will not be able to live in India.
Economy
| List | INDIA Rank / Total Countries | Source | Notes |
| GDP | |||
| GDP growth rate | 37/179 | The World Bank | 2018-19 — 5.024% |
| Nominal GDP | 5/185 | The World Bank | 2019 - US$2.875 trillion |
| GDP (PPP) | 3/189 | The World Bank | 2019 - US$8.681 trillion |
| GDP per capita (nominal) | 142/189 | The World Bank | 2019 – 2104 US dollars |
| GDP per capita (PPP) | 126/187 | The World Bank | 2019 - $7,034 |
| tax revenue to GDP ratio | 109/180 | Heritage Foundation | 2015 - 17.7% of GDP |
| Trade | |||
| Import | 11/222 | CIA The World Factbook | The 2021 estimate is $426,800,000,000. |
| Export | 18/222 | CIA The World Factbook | The 2021 estimate is $303,400,000,000. |
| FDI received | 19/115 | CIA The World Factbook | The 2021 estimate is $367,500,000,000. |
| Wealth | |||
| Number of billionaires | 3/71 | Forbes | 2018–131 |
| Gold reserve | 8/18 | World Gold Council | 2020 Feb - 664.2 tons |
| State debt | 82/189 | CIA The World Factbook | Estimate for 2021 - 52.3% of NET GDP / 41.11% of Gross GDP |
| Foreign exchange reserves | 5/193 | 2020 September | |
| Income | |||
| Minimal salary | 64/156 | 2020 - $895.93 per year. | |
| Nominal GNI | 9/15 | The World Bank | 2016 - cost 2,027,964,000,000 US dollars. |
| GNI according to PPP | 3/15 | The World Bank | 2016 - cost 8,594,226,000,000 international dollars |
| GNI (PPP) per capita | 124/179 | The World Bank | 2015 - 6030 US dollars |
| Job | |||
| Employment level | 42/47 | OECD | 2012 - 53.3% of employed young people aged 15–64 years. |
| Business environment | |||
| Intellectual Property Index | 36/50 | US Chambers of Commerce | 2019 |
| Globalization Index | 107/184 | ETHZ Globalization Index | 2017 |
| World Competitiveness Yearbook Scoreboard | 45/63 | 2017 | |
| Global Sustainability Index | 60/130 | FM Global | |
| Economic Freedom Index | 123/178 | 2016 | |
| Quality of life index | 43/56 | 2017 | |
| Ease of Doing Business Index | 63/190 | Ease of Doing Business Index | 2019 |
| Global Competitiveness Index | 68/141 | 2019 | |
| Economic Freedom Index | 128/178 | Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal | 2016 |
| Economic freedom of the world | 95/157 | Fraser Institute | 2015 - 6.63 points |
| Financial Development Index | 51/183 | IMF | 2016 |
| Global Innovation Index | 48/131 | World Intellectual Property Organization | Report 2021 |
| Technology | |||
| IT Industry Competitiveness Index | 18/66 | 2016 | |
| ICT Development Index | 134/176 | International Telecommunication Union | 2017 |
| Global Innovation Index | 48/129 | Global Innovation Index | 2020 |
| Space Competitiveness Index | 6/15 | Futron Corporation | 2013 |
| Network Readiness Index | 91/139 | World Economic Forum | 2016 — Rating 3.8 |
| Transport | |||
| 2/86 | International Union of Railways | 2016 - 8.224 billion passengers | |
| 1/5 | Times of India | ||
| size of the rail transport network | 3/149 | International Union of Railways | 2015-68 525 km |
| Traffic-related deaths | 2/180 | WHO | 2013 - 238,562 deaths |
| Vehicles per capita | 84/163 | 2015 - 0.167 per capita, total 55,725,543 people | |
| Industry | |||
| Power generation | 3/209 | B.P. | 2016 - 1,400,800 |
| Steel production | 2/38 | World Steel Association | 2018 - 101.4 million metric tons |
| Coal mining | 2/40 | 2018 - 716 million tons | |
| Coal consumption | 2/20 | 2018 - 982 million tons |
How to get distance education for free
Prospects for getting a job after studying
To put it bluntly, finding a job for a foreign student who does not have Indian citizenship is incredibly difficult, almost impossible. The situation in the country at the moment is such that about 500 highly qualified specialists who are fluent in Hindi and English are vying for one vacant position. A foreigner, who hardly knows the local language well, clearly loses against their background.
In fact, the only chance is to establish yourself as a talented and responsible student during your studies. Large enterprises cooperate with universities and do not miss out on truly competent specialists, including foreigners. Therefore, you need to show your best side if you want to stay in the country.
In this article we briefly looked at education in India. Now everyone can draw a conclusion for themselves and form an opinion about the level of education in this state.
“Teacher-student” system
Ancient Hindu treatises depict an exploratory learning process where teachers and students work together to seek the truth through reasoning and questioning. However, these texts merely captured an even earlier oral tradition in which the relationship between gurus (teachers) and shishyas (disciples) became almost the main religious component of Hinduism. In traditional Indian texts, some teach, others learn, and those who teach are not always initially higher in position.
In the gurukul system, anyone who wanted to learn went to the guru's house and asked to be taught. If the guru accepted him as a shishya, the newly made disciple would help him around the house, learning how to manage things at the same time. Meanwhile, the guru talked about everything the child wanted to know: from Sanskrit to sacred texts and from mathematics to metaphysics. The student stayed with him as long as he wanted, until the guru felt that he had already taught him everything he himself knew. Learning was natural, life-like and did not boil down to memorizing individual information.
In general, the Indian way of teaching is understood as a sacred duty, mission, ethical act, social obligation, on the proper implementation of which the well-being of society depends. The teacher leads the student from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge, removes the cover from the lamp of learning and releases the light. The Sanskrit andhakara ('darkness') signifies not merely intellectual ignorance, but spiritual blindness, which the teacher must be able to eliminate. Ancient educational philosophy even considered knowledge to be the third eye of man.
Today, the very word “Teacher” sounds very respectable in India, because everyone understands the importance of the role of such a person both for education and for the society of the entire country. Teacher's Day is celebrated on September 5th, the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and is a tribute to the memory of the great teacher
In India, teachers are friendly, open-minded, inspiring to students and very helpful in building their careers. Behind the fame of many Indians lies the enormous contribution of their teachers, and among the teachers themselves there are many famous people. Indian professors are famous for not limiting themselves to lecturing, but also helping their audience build connections with the subject area they are studying (including after classes and in additional courses). Thanks to this integrated approach, students become more interested in learning, easier to show curiosity and more free to create.
By the way, the gurukul system has not disappeared in India to this day. Modern gurus are considered the embodiment of knowledge, ethics and caring, and in the image of the shishya the strong-willed component has increased, but this is still a respectful student who considers his teacher to be a beacon illuminating the right path.
