Authors

1. Dr. Bharti Sharma
2. Ms. Meenakshi Bordia

Affiliation

• Associate Professor, International School of Informatics & Management, Jaipur
• Research Scholar, The IIS University, Jaipur

Abstract

A country's ability and potential for growth is determined by the size and capability of its youth
population. Hence all concerned stakeholders need to understand that this section of the population
needs to be nurtured, skilled, streamlined and motivated to meet and confront the challenges ahead
so that they may eventually contribute to the overall progress of the country.
According to the census data (2011), India accounts to have 229 million of 15 to 24-year-olds
claiming to be the world's highest youth population. Further only 4.5 percent of the population in the
country is educated up to the level of graduate or above while a majority of 32.6 per cent population is
not even educated up to the primary school level. Also more than 20 per cent of the youth in the 15-24
age group is jobless and seeking work. This statistics is really worrying and needs the cognizance of
all.
Out of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Agenda 2030 for sustainable
development, 'Quality Education' has been declared as the most important and the most necessary
standalone goal for the success of the remaining 16 goals – health, poverty, inequality etc.
Quality Education means education that builds the character, increases the strength of mind,
sharpens the intellect and above all makes the individual self – independent. In addition, it should
help young India to become creative thinkers and entrepreneurs. But we need to think that whether
the basic schooling of India preparing the 21st century learners or not.
The onus of quality education lies on the shoulders of teachers, who are the linchpin of the education
system of the country. Agood teacher in a classroom can beat and overpower any level of technology
tools. But has India produced quality teachers, or are our existing teacher education policies capable
enough to produce 21st century teachers.
The present paper is an attempt to explore the quality of young India that is being produced and the
challenges faced by the elementary education system of the country in producing the 21st century
learners. The paper would also try to suggest some strategies to strengthen the elementary
education system of the country and hence achieve the UN goal of 'Quality Education'.

Keywords

Youth, Quality Education, Elementary Schools, Teachers

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