Sociopedia

India’s education system is one of the largest in the world, encompassing millions of students across schools, colleges, and universities. While the country boasts top institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Management, these are exceptions in a landscape marked by deep inequalities and inefficiencies. A significant portion of the youth feels that academic education has become a commodified enterprise that lacks relevance and rigor.  The phrase "academic education is a scam" is provocative but captures widespread frustration. Herein we delve into the reasons why such sentiments have surfaced, looking into various dimensions of the academic system in India, from admissions to outcomes, and the rising commercial nature of the education sector. Historical Context: From Reverence to Commercialization India has a long history of valuing education, from the ancient learning centers like Nalanda and Takshashila to the Gurukul system where ho...

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented changes in various aspects of life, with education being one of the most significantly impacted sectors. As schools, colleges, and universities worldwide closed their physical campuses to curb the spread of the virus, online education rapidly transitioned from being a supplementary method of teaching to the primary mode of learning. This shift has not only altered the way education is delivered but also significantly influenced the acceptance and perception of online education. The Pre-COVID Scenario: Hesitant Adoption Before the pandemic, online education was often viewed with skepticism by many educators, students, and parents. Traditional in-person education was considered superior due to the perceived quality of interaction, engagement, and the social experience it offered. Although online education had been gaining traction with the rise of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and platforms like Coursera and edX, it was largely seen...