Levels or
Stages of Education in India today
Education
in India follows a uniform structure of school education which is known as the
10+2 system. This system is being followed by all Indian States and Union
Territories. But not all of them follow a distinct pattern as per the system.
1. Pre
Primary Stage – Pre primary education in India is provided to children between
3–6 years by Kindergarten, Playway or Play Schools. These schools have varying
terminology for different levels of classes, beginning from – Pre-Nursery,
Nursery, KG, LKG (Lower Kindergarten) and UKG (Upper Kindergarten). Most of the
pre-primary education in India is provided by private schools.
2. The
Primary Stage – Primary education in India offered by both private and
government schools usually consist of students aged between 5 to 12 years. The
duration of study in this stage is 4-5 years. Common subjects include English,
Hindi, Mathematics, Environmental Science and General Knowledge. Sometimes also
termed as Elementary Education, it is free in government schools but it is paid
in the private schools. The Government has made elementary education compulsory
for children between the age group of years 6 and 14. Most of the primary
education provided by primary schools in India is imparted from class 1st to
class 4th or 5th. Some of the states/UTs which follow 1st to 5th class of
primary education are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab,
Chandigarh, Delhi, Karaikal and Yanam
regions of Pondicherry etc. Some of the states/UTs which follow 1st to 4th
classes of primary education are Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala,
Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman
& Diu, Lakshadweep and Mahe region of Pondicherry
3) The
Middle Stage – Middle stage of education covering 3-4 years of academic study
is formed by 5th-8thclass consisting of
students aged between 12 to 14 years. The schools which impart education
up till 8th class are known with various names like – High School, Senior
School. Some of the states/UTs which follow 5th -7th class of middle stage are
Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman &
Diu, Lakshadweep etc. Some of the states/UTs which follow 6th -8th class of
middle stage are Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Andaman
& Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi etc.
4) The
Secondary Stage – Secondary Stage of education covering 2-3 years of academic
study starts with classes 8th-10th. consisting of students aged between 14-16
years. The schools which impart education up till 10th class are known as
Secondary Schools, High Schools, Senior Schools etc. Some of the states/UTs
which follow 8th -10th class of secondary stage are Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka,
Kerala, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep etc. Some of the
states/UTs which follow 9th -10th class of secondary stage are Punjab,
Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Delhi,
Karaikal region of Pondicherry etc.
5) Senior
Secondary Stage – Senior Secondary Education in India is of only 2 years. There
is uniformity on this level of education in terms of duration and classes i.e.
all the States/UTs follow this 10+2 pattern. Senior Secondary Schools in India
include classes 11th to 12th. consisting students aged between 16-18 years. At
this level of education students have the freedom to choose their preferred
stream and subjects. They can pursue Arts, Commerce, Science (medical & non
medical). The schools which provide education up till 12th class are commonly
known as Senior Secondary Schools or Higher Secondary Schools. Some
universities and colleges also offer the education of these classes.
6)
Undergraduate Stage – Undergraduate education in India is of 3-4 years.
Undergraduate stage of education is also known as higher education in India.
Students studying in this level, generally begin their education from 18
onwards. As per one estimate 88% of undergraduate education is provided by
Colleges in India. Majority of the undergraduate courses of 3 years duration
belong to field of arts, humanities, science etc. and majority of 4 years of
duration belong to the field of agriculture, engineering, pharmaceutical
sciences technology. However, there are courses belonging to fields of
architecture, law and medicine whose duration is 5 years.
7)
Postgraduate Stage – Postgraduate education in India is of 2-3 years.
Postgraduate stages of courses are known as Masters courses or Doctorate
courses. Masters course are usually of 2
years duration and doctorate (research) courses are of 3 years duration. Also
referred as higher education, 56% of post-graduate education is imparted
through colleges. PG education in India is largely provided by universities in
India. PG education caters largely to a specific field or sub field of any
preferred discipline. Thus, one can specialise in any of preferred subjects at
this level. Those who are interested in conducting large amount of research
work pursue these courses.
Adult
Education in India – Adult Education in India comes under the purview of the
Department of School Education and Literacy. The Bureau of Adult Education and
National Literacy Mission under the Department functions as the Secretariat of
the National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA). National Literacy Mission was
set up on 5th May,1988 to impart a new sense of urgency and seriousness to
adult education. The Directorate of Adult Education provides necessary
technical and resource support to the NLMA.
Distance
Education in India – Distance education provided by institutes is controlled by
the Distance Education Council of India. Distance education is helpful to those
who cannot join regular schools or colleges. At the school level, National Institute
of Open Schooling offers education through distance learning. While, at the
college or university level, Open universities provides distance education.
Distance education can also be pursued online via internet. Some like the Birla
Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) provides online education through –
BITS Virtual University.
Homeschooling
in India – Homeschooling isn’t widespread in India and neither it is widely
accepted. This type of alternative education It is considered for handicapped or
those who are unable to attend regular school due to various factors. While some use Montessori method,
Unschooling, Radical Unschooling, Waldorf education or School-at-home. Others
prefer CBSE, NIOS or NOS and IGCSE prescribed syllabus.
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