Transforming India’s Education
Dr Arun Prakash
When people think of Dr Manmohan Singh, they often recall his pivotal role in shaping India’s economic landscape. The liberalization of 1991, which unshackled the economy, or the steady reforms that spurred growth during his tenure as Prime Minister, are frequently highlighted as his crowning achievements. But hidden beneath this economic narrative is another story—one of a leader who believed education was the foundation of empowerment and progress. This article is an attempt to honour that lesser-known legacy: Dr Singh’s quiet yet transformative contributions to India’s education system.
At the heart of Dr Singh’s educational vision was a commitment to inclusion. Education, he believed, was the greatest equalizer, and under his leadership, India witnessed reforms that sought to bridge gaps—between rich and poor, urban and rural, boys and girls. The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, is a shining example of this vision. RTE didn’t just make education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14; it also made it accessible and equitable. By mandating that private schools reserve 25% of their seats for children from economically weaker sections and setting minimum standards for infrastructure and teachers, the RTE Act ensured that classrooms became more inclusive. For the first time, millions of children, particularly girls and those from marginalized communities, found themselves sitting on the same benches as their peers, dreaming of brighter futures.
But education doesn’t end at elementary school. Dr Singh recognized that the bridge to opportunity lies in secondary education. The Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) took this vision forward by improving access to secondary schooling. By focusing on infrastructure, teacher training, and programs that encouraged girls to continue their education, RMSA ensured that the path from elementary school to high school was no longer a dead end for children in underserved areas.
Dr Singh’s government also looked beyond children, addressing India’s adult literacy gap through the Saakshar Bharat Mission. This initiative targeted women in particular, equipping them with functional literacy skills that extended beyond reading and writing. For these women, literacy became a tool for empowerment, enabling them to access better jobs, participate in governance, and make informed decisions for their families. Saakshar Bharat wasn’t just about education—it was about dignity.
Technology was another cornerstone of Dr Singh’s educational reforms. The National Mission on Education through ICT (NMEICT) sought to bring the power of digital learning into classrooms. With virtual labs, online platforms, and digital libraries, students from even the remotest villages could access high-quality educational resources. It was a forward-looking initiative that laid the foundation for India’s future in digital education.
Teachers were not forgotten in this transformation. The Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching aimed to professionalize teaching and improve the quality of education at all levels. By focusing on continuous training and creating centres of excellence for teacher education, this initiative emphasized that great education begins with great educators.
Financial barriers, which often stand in the way of higher education, were addressed through initiatives like the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) and the Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Economically Weaker Sections. These programs provided financial lifelines to talented students, ensuring that no child had to abandon their dreams due to a lack of resources.
For India’s minority communities, Dr Singh introduced targeted programs to improve access to quality education. Efforts like the Model Schools Scheme, which established high-quality schools in educationally backward areas, exemplified his commitment to equity. These schools became beacons of hope in regions where opportunities had been scarce for generations.
Even vocational education found a champion under his leadership. Recognizing the importance of practical skills, vocational training programs were integrated into mainstream education, preparing students for a changing economy. For many young people, these initiatives provided a direct path to employment and self-reliance.
Dr Singh’s legacy in education extended beyond his tenure as Prime Minister. The Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships, established by St. John’s College, Cambridge, reflected his personal journey as a scholar and leader. These scholarships gave talented Indian students the chance to pursue postgraduate studies at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, highlighting his belief in education as a global equalizer.
While economic reforms often dominate discussions of Dr. Singh’s achievements, his contributions to education deserve equal recognition. Under his leadership, education became a tool for empowerment, breaking cycles of poverty and creating opportunities for millions. His reforms weren’t just about policies or infrastructure—they were about people. From the child in a remote village holding a schoolbook for the first time to the woman who learned to sign her name with pride, Dr. Singh’s educational initiatives touched lives and inspired futures.
As we reflect on his legacy, it becomes clear that Dr Singh’s vision for India wasn’t just about economic growth—it was about building a society where every individual, regardless of their background, had the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Education was his quiet revolution, and its ripples will be felt for generations to come.
