Quality education, as defined by EI & ASCD focuses on the whole child – the social, emotional, mental, physical, and cognitive development of each student regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or geographic location. Essentially, it refers to the overall development of a child which prepares them for life and not just for testing. It is considered as the 4th Sustainable Development Goal.

It is rightly said that “Plants are shaped by cultivation and humans by education”. Education is one of the most powerful tools that makes us what we are today. It is a weapon which improves one’s life. Since our world is constantly changing and developing it is important to teach and educate people so that they can get a sense of differentiating right from wrong. Education is the way leading to wealth, progress and prosperity. It ends financial disparities, poverty and negativity.

Education provides us with the capability to find solutions for our problems, without access to education people can find it very difficult to cope with some aspects of life. If we are educated, we can create awareness, change in the society and expand our vision, therefore, education is a worthwhile investment.
In spite of knowing the importance of quality education, the Indian education system is still facing a lot of problems. In rural areas there is lack of transportation, poor infrastructure, few mentors, good schools are outside the villages and this discourages parents from sending their kids to school. We need to find solutions to these challenges faced by the students as quality education is a human right. The importance of education is especially apparent during the current COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, education makes an individual a better user of technology which is beneficial because people are working from home and students are attending classes online. Children who do not have access to internet or who do not have electronic devices like laptop, mobile, computer, etc. are deprived of an education. These children are majorly from rural areas where either they are not able to attend online classes or schools are not capable of teaching students in an online mode.

There is a need of good quality education as it will help foster a disciplined life and a bright future. We will learn basic values, rules and regulations of society. Education guides us by helping us make good decisions which will be productive for our lives. In India, we can provide good quality education by usage of smart classrooms and digital course content which will benefit the student as well as the teacher as the teacher will be able to monitor the student’s performance more efficiently and carefully. The curriculum and teaching methods should be such that students enjoy learning and it is not like a burden to them. Education is a hope for a good life. It builds our character, enhances human dignity, encourages better ideas and new ways of thinking in our life.

Jahanvi Agarwal
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun (Semester 2)