Improving Learning Outcomes in Schools: Understanding the Challenge of Quality in the Indian Context

What does ‘quality education’ truly mean, and how can we ensure it is accessible to all children, regardless of their background? This book delves into these pressing questions, offering a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and opportunities within India’s education system.

Why do millions of children in India attend school yet still struggle to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills? This book examines the varied reasons behind poor learning outcomes, illustrating why high enrolment rates have not translated into meaningful educational progress. It underscores the urgent need to shift the focus from merely getting children into schools to ensuring they learn and thrive. Through real-world case studies, insightful policy analysis, and a focus on innovative state and national initiatives, the book unpacks what works in education – and what does not. From the role of teachers and school leadership to the importance of inclusive policies and community engagement, it offers a holistic view of the factors influencing student achievement.

As a part of the Innovations, Practice and the Future of Public Policy in India series, this open access volume will interest policy professionals, academics, and researchers in education, pedagogy, curriculum design, education economics, and development studies.

This book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.

N.V. Varghese is a distinguished visiting professor at IIT Bombay and former NIEPA vice chancellor. He is a global expert in educational planning, with over 40 books and 250 publications to his name.

Vrinda Sarup is a retired IAS officer. She led national education programmes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and continues to advise on school education and public policy reforms.

Anuradha De is an economist, a senior policy advisor at CESP and director of CORD. She has led pioneering field-based research on education, welfare schemes, and development through CORD and major national studies like PROBE.

Amarjeet Sinha is a former IAS officer and policy expert. He has shaped key national programmes in education, health, and rural development, with a focus on inclusive and last-mile governance.