Page 187 - DEDU501_DEVELOPMENT_OF_EDUCATION_SYSTEM_ENGLISH

Unit 20: Secondary Education: Concept and Need

• Given India’s diversity, education has been a central force for social cohesion, and for Notes
fostering a national identity and democratic citizenship.16 India is the world’s biggest
democracy, and is among the most diverse nations in terms of languages, ethnicities, and
religions. It has 14 official languages and some 300 effectively spoken languages. Eighty-
one percent of its population is Hindu; 13.4 percent Muslim; 2.3 percent Christian; 2 percent,
Sikh; and 2 percent, other religions, according to the Population Census of 2001. Scheduled
tribes (ST) account for 8 percent of its population and scheduled castes (SC), who are the
most disadvantaged group in the caste system, for 16 percent.
• Beyond the purely domestic rationales for public investment in secondary education, it is
important to consider whether India’s development of secondary education compared to
other countries justifies additional public investment at this level. Such a comparison is
worthwhile as it highlights relative human capital formation.
• The rationale for public investment in secondary education lies in its contribution to
economic growth, demonstrated high social benefits, positive impact on equity, ability to
overcome education market failures and household misperceptions of the value of
secondary education, preparation for higher education and generation of knowledge, and,
finally, its contribution to democratic citizenship and social cohesion.

20.4 Keywords

• Secondary : Connected with teaching children of 11-18 years.
• Adolescence : The time in a person's life when he or she develops from a child into an
adult.
• Economic : Connected with the trade, industry and development.
• Equality : The fact of being equal in rights.
• Democratic : Based on the principle that all members have an equal right to be
involved in an organisation.
• Competitiveness : A feeling to trying very hard to be better than others.

20.5 Review Questions

1. Explain the meaning and historical background of secondary education.
2. Discuss about the adolescence during secondary education.
3. Why is the need for secondary education in India?
4. Explain the social benefits of secondary education.
Answer: Self Assessment

1. (i) 13 to 18 (ii) adolescence
(iii) economic growth (iv) secondary education
(v) skilled human capital (vi) strenth, weakness

20.6 Further Readings

1. Development of Education Systems : J.C. Aggarwal, Dash Bn, Shipra Publications.
2. Development of Education System : Mel Ainscow , Alan Dyson , Susan Goldrick.
3. Educational Regimes in Contemporary India : Radhika Chopra , Patricia M Jeffery,
Dash Bn.

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