The Challenge
Teachers matter most to student learning,
but teaching quality is poor in India.
From Silent to Sharing: Pawan's School Transformation
At Zilla Parishad School Kharad, four to five children, including Pawan Thakur, joined the third grade two months ago. Their parents work at the local brick kiln, prompting their families' migration to Kharad. During her first visit to the school, Coach Ashwini Patil noticed Pawan's withdrawn behaviour. Even on her second visit two months later, he remained quiet. Teacher Kunda Gadadre, enrolled in CEQUE's Teacher Innovation Programme (TIP), explained that Pawan rarely spoke to anyone and, as a result, attended school inconsistently.
With Teacher Kunda's permission, Ashwini engaged Pawan in a conversation. Instead of directly focusing on academics, she initiated a fun, inclusive Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) activity: each student drew a name from a basket and shared four sentences about themselves and their likes. When Pawan's name was drawn, he quietly expressed his desire to study with friends. Witnessing this small step, Teacher Kunda was delighted, and Ashwini scheduled a follow-up visit that same week.
This time, Ashwini divided the class into four groups, each with a designated leader. Pawan was chosen to lead one of the groups. She assigned a collaborative math problem-solving activity. Pawan actively participated, engaging with his group members and demonstrating a newfound enthusiasm. His demeanour had visibly brightened.
Teacher Kunda's face lit up as she spoke to Ashwini. "You've transformed Pawan's experience here. He's a regular now, surrounded by friends, and truly enjoying his learning." Pawan confirmed this, saying, "Madam, I love coming to school now. I have friends, and I love to learn." Ashwini felt the satisfaction of making a real difference.
The story of Pawan is not unique.
For the underprivileged, a quality education is the stepping stone out of the cycle of poverty - one that can enable their children a future with dignity and potential.
We know this, yet we continue to fail our children.
Over one in two 10- year olds cannot read a simple story; three in four face difficulty with basic math operations. According to the World Bank, if children do not learn to read by the age of 10, the doors of learning are most likely shut for them, forever.
Teachers matter most to student learning,
but teaching quality is poor in India.
Teachers are fundamental to student success, yet India's teaching quality faces considerable hurdles.
The influence of good teachers extends from school days to adult lives. While research indicates that high-performing teachers can significantly boost students' long-term earning potential—studies from Harvard and Columbia Universities suggest an average increase of $2,50,000 per classroom—India's teacher quality has historically fallen short.
How does teacher quality fare in India?
The 2024 Central Teacher Eligibility Test saw 572,489 examinees, with 138,389 qualifying, a 24.17% pass rate. This represents a substantial increase from the 12% pass rate in 2018. Although this improvement is noteworthy, much remains to be done if India is to achieve its 2030 goal of "inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all."
Even in the best classrooms within underserved communities, traditional lecture-based instruction and rote learning of textbook material often prevail. Opportunities for students to develop critical thinking, engage in discussions and inquiry-based learning, conduct experiments, apply knowledge, or collaborate on projects are limited. As a result, students frequently rely on memorisation for exams, hindering the development of deep understanding and essential life skills.
Teachers matter most to student learning, but teaching quality is poor in India
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