13 April 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Notes PDF
The Hindu EDITORIAL
13-April-2024
1. Data for better education, a brighter future for students.
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Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education ASER 2023 data highlights critical literacy challenges among rural Indian youth, pertinent for understanding educational inequity and policymaking. |
| Context |
| ● The article discusses the findings of the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023, emphasising the concerning literacy levels among 14-18 year olds in rural India and the need for targeted interventions. |
ASER 2023 Findings:
- The ASER 2023 report focuses on the foundational skills of 14-18 year olds in India, particularly concerning their reading abilities.
- The survey was conducted in 28 rural districts across 26 states, providing insights into the activities, digital abilities, and aspirations of adolescents.
- Alarmingly, the report reveals that 26% of 14-18 year olds surveyed cannot read a standard two level text in their regional language, signaling a significant learning crisis.
Challenges in Foundational Learning:
- Foundational learning trajectories, shaped in primary grades, exhibit a concerning trend of stagnation and flat progression, leading to enduring literacy challenges.
- Despite being enrolled in school, many adolescents lack basic reading skills, with attendance rates in secondary grades notably low, exacerbating the learning deficit.
- ASER 2022 data indicates that while some progress is made in reading ability, many children struggle to transition from basic decoding to fluent reading comprehension.
Addressing Literacy Challenges:
- Access to reading materials and community libraries is crucial for fostering reading habits, creativity, and critical thinking among children and youth.
- Effective management and leadership within community libraries are essential for creating conducive reading environments and nurturing a culture of reading.
- Addressing negative perceptions around vocational education and enhancing access to context-driven vocational courses can provide alternative career pathways for adolescents.
Youth Aspirations and Career Choices:
- ASER 2023 reveals the educational and career aspirations of 14-18 year olds, highlighting the need for mentorship and support to evaluate and pursue these aspirations effectively.
- Leveraging digital technology, such as smartphones, can empower youth by providing access to educational resources aligned with their career interests.
- Collaborations between educational institutions, industries, and professional groups are essential to harness the potential of digital technology in facilitating skill development and career exploration among youth.
Actionable Insights from Data:
- The ASER data underscores the importance of moving beyond mere acknowledgment of literacy challenges to actionable interventions.
- Rigorous data collection and analysis are essential for identifying targeted interventions and mobilising stakeholders to address the root causes of educational inequity.
- Proactive measures are needed to guide adolescents towards educational and career pathways aligned with their aspirations, leveraging both traditional and digital platforms effectively.
| Key findings of ASER 2023 report: |
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●Increased Enrollment: Overall, 86.8% of 14-18-year-olds are enrolled in educational institutions, with 3.9% of 14-year-olds and 32.6% of 18-year-olds not enrolled. ● Vocational Training: 16.2% of college-level youth are taking vocational training, mostly short-duration courses of 6 months or less. ● Foundational Skills: 25% of 14-18-year-olds cannot fluently read a Std II level text, and over half struggle with division problems. ● Everyday Calculations: Nearly 85% of surveyed youth can measure length with a scale starting at 0 cm, dropping to 39% when the starting point is moved. ● Daily Life Applications: Two-thirds of youth who can read a Std I level text can answer at least 3 out of 4 questions based on written instructions. ● Financial Calculations: Over 60% of youth capable of subtraction can manage a budget, 37% can apply a discount, but only 10% can calculate repayment. ● Digital Awareness: Close to 90% of all youth have a smartphone, but females are less likely to know how to use it compared to males. ● Online Safety: Only about half of youth using social media are familiar with online safety settings. ● Digital Tasks: 70% of youth can browse the internet for answers, and two-thirds can set an alarm, but only a third can use Google Maps for travel time. What are the concerns raised? ●Low Foundational Numeracy: Approximately 25% of 14-18-year-olds lack foundational numeracy skills, hindering their ability to handle basic calculations. ● Flat Learning Trajectories: Academic progress among students has not shown significant improvement over time, indicating stagnant learning outcomes. ●Academic Competition: Overambitious parental aspirations lead to intense academic competition, coaching culture, and exam pressure, causing stress and disappointment. ●Overambitious Curriculum: The education system’s curriculum is overly ambitious, disregarding students’ learning deficits and their inability to cope with grade-level content. ● Ambiguous Aspirations: Many students lack clear guidance for their future education and career choices, leading to uncertainty and indecision about their paths. ● Lack of Motivation: A larger proportion of boys express disinterest in studying after class 12, while girls often face societal pressure to marry early, affecting their educational aspirations. ● Digital Deprivation: Despite widespread smartphone ownership, many youths engage only in surface-level digital activities, indicating a lack of deeper digital skills and usage. ● Gender Disparities: Females are less likely to own smartphones and engage in digital tasks compared to males, highlighting gender gaps in access to and utilisation of technology. Way Forward: ● Financial Aid: Provide financial support and grants to economically disadvantaged students to alleviate financial burdens and enable them to pursue education. ● Shifting Social Norms: Address societal norms regarding the appropriate age of marriage, particularly for girls, to encourage continued education beyond secondary level. ● Flexible Education System: Embrace flexibility in education delivery through technology-enabled remote learning, online resources, and interactive platforms to cater to diverse learning needs. ● Assessment Reform: Reform assessment methods to reduce examination pressure and focus on continuous evaluation of student learning outcomes. ● Future-Oriented Curriculum: Revise curriculum content to prioritize critical thinking skills and holistic learning experiences over rote memorization. ● Digital Mentorship Programs: Implement digital mentorship initiatives connecting students with professionals to guide them in making informed decisions about their future careers. |
| Practice Question: Discuss the significance of ASER 2023 findings in addressing literacy challenges and shaping education policies in rural India. (150 Words /10 marks) |
2. Policymakers must simplify trade rules to boost exports.
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Topic: GS2 – Governance – Government Policies, GS3 – Indian economy – Effects of liberalization on the economy, Understanding economic forecasts and policy recommendations is crucial for UPSC aspirants to grasp India’s economic trajectory and challenges. |
| Context |
| ● The article discusses the Asian Development Bank’s revised GDP growth forecast for India, highlighting factors driving growth, risks, and recommendations for policy reforms. |
Asian Development Bank’s GDP Growth Forecast for India
- Revised GDP Growth Projection: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised its forecast for India’s GDP growth in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, to 7% from the earlier estimate of 6.7%.
- Factors Driving Growth: The ADB cited robust public and private investment, along with expectations of a gradual improvement in consumer demand, especially as the rural economy recovers.
- Projected Growth for FY 2025-26: The ADB projected India’s economy to expand by 7.2% in fiscal year 2025-26, indicating sustained growth momentum.
Comparison with National Statistical Office (NSO) Estimate
- Divergence with NSO Estimate: Despite the ADB’s revised forecast, it remains slower than the 7.6% pace estimated by India’s National Statistical Office for the fiscal year ending March 31.
- Driven by Strong Investment: Last year’s growth was primarily driven by strong investment, while consumption remained subdued, highlighting a divergence in growth drivers.
Risks and Challenges Highlighted by ADB
- Global Risks: The ADB cautioned that global risks such as a sharp rise in oil prices or prolonged high interest rates in the West could impact India’s growth trajectory.
- Sensitivity to Western Interest Rates: India’s economy is particularly sensitive to western interest rates, which could affect the rupee’s value and economic stability.
- Private Sector Project Completions: Despite strong project announcements, project completions in the private sector have failed to match expectations, indicating potential bottlenecks in execution.
Omissions in ADB’s Report
- Integrity of National Income Data: The ADB’s report did not address controversies surrounding the integrity of India’s national income data, raising questions about data accuracy.
- Lack of Structural Reforms: The absence of significant structural reforms in India, especially post-COVID-19 pandemic, was not mentioned, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of growth.
Challenges to Consumer Spending
- Stretched Household Savings: Global country risk research firm BMI flagged risks to consumption spending from stretched household savings, which are near all-time lows.
- Need for Reforms: The ADB suggested creating large-scale special economic zones with an easier policy environment to boost exports, emphasizing the importance of structural reforms.
Recommendations for India
- Integration with Global Supply Chains: Given challenges in global merchandise trade, India must integrate better with global supply chains and improve logistics infrastructure.
- Urgency of Reforms: The ADB’s recommendations underscore the urgency for India to prioritize reforms to enhance competitiveness and sustain long-term growth.
| Importance of Policy Support for Export Promotion |
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● Economic Growth: Export promotion policies stimulate economic growth by increasing foreign exchange earnings and enhancing employment opportunities. ●Global Competitiveness: Policy support helps Indian exporters compete effectively in international markets, improving competitiveness and market share. ● Diversification of Markets: Export promotion encourages diversification of export destinations, reducing dependency on a single market and mitigating risks associated with economic downturns in specific regions. ● Technology Upgradation: Policies supporting export promotion often incentivize technology adoption and innovation, leading to enhanced productivity and competitiveness of domestic industries. ● Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): A conducive export environment attracts foreign investors, fostering technology transfer, infrastructure development, and industrial growth. ● Trade Balance: Effective export promotion policies contribute to achieving a favorable trade balance, reducing the current account deficit and enhancing overall economic stability. ● Job Creation: Increased exports generate employment opportunities across various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, and services, thereby promoting inclusive growth and poverty reduction. ● Strategic Positioning: Export promotion policies enable India to strategically position itself as a global trading hub, leveraging its geographical advantage and diverse resource base. |
| More about Asian Development Bank (ADB): |
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●Established in 1966, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank headquartered in Manila, Philippines. ● Membership: Comprises 68 members, including 49 from the Asia-Pacific region and 19 from outside the region. ● Mission: ADB aims to reduce poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and regional integration. ● Financial Resources: ADB provides loans, grants, technical assistance, and equity investments to its member countries to support development projects and programs. ● Priority Areas: Focuses on sectors such as infrastructure (transport, energy, water), education, health, agriculture, and rural development. ●Environmental and Social Safeguards: ADB integrates environmental and social considerations into its projects to promote sustainability and mitigate adverse impacts. ● Regional Cooperation: ADB facilitates regional cooperation and integration through cross-border infrastructure projects, trade facilitation, and policy dialogue. ● Partnerships: Collaborates with governments, other development agencies, private sector entities, and civil society organizations to maximize development impact. |
| PYQ: Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports. (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2017) |
| Practice Question: How does policy support for export promotion contribute to India’s economic growth and global competitiveness? (250 Words /15 marks) |
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