Closing the Rural Education Gap: Empowering Children for a Brighter Future

In a fast-changing world, education is lacking in rural areas. The condition of the education
system of rural areas of India has been concerned since Independence. It serves as the
foundation for economic development, social advancement, and personal growth. Education
equips people with the information, skills, and capacity for critical thinking they need to
overcome challenges and make significant contributions to society. As a fundamental right,
everyone deserves an education, the world is going towards digitalization, and more advanced
technologies are coming, so it becomes important for the upcoming generation to get educated.
It will help them get their future bright, and it will also help the nation in their development.

However, the rural education system sometimes fails to fulfill the expectations. Children are
unable to access basic educational materials such as teachers, books, and notebooks. Short
attendance is caused by insufficient educational resources and transportation concerns. A
shortage of qualified teachers leads to overcrowding in classrooms. Schools in remote regions
require sufficient facilities, including classrooms, restrooms, and safe drinking water for staff and
students. Financial challenges may cause families to drop their children from school due to poor
status. This creates a cycle of poverty for future generations.

Research says that 37% of students cannot attend school due to a lack of resources.
Fortunately, several strategies are being implemented to improve the education system in rural
India. Government campaigns like “Padhega India Tabhi To Badhega India” (A developed India
is when India learns), “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (Save the girl child, educate the girl child), and
“Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) aim to promote education for rural children. These initiatives
include providing educational materials, scholarships, and mid-day meals to attract and retain
students. As well, the government distributes bicycles to students to facilitate transportation and
offers tablets and laptops to high-performing students as part of the Digital India program. Prize
money and scholarships are also awarded to top performers in board exams. These efforts hold
promise for improving the quality of education in rural areas and creating a brighter future for
children.

According to Dr. Subhash Gupta, Chairman of Red Cross Society, Ghaziabad-

I highly appreciate the work that is done by the government and the campaigns that are started by them. It will help the children of places where education is not accessible to get educated,
and to make themselves a great person in the future. The children of my locality were not
getting a better education because of financial issues, fewer accessories, and no guidance. I
want every child to get a better education by every source of education whether by books,
teachers, or workshops to study and make themselves an educated and a good person who is
going to have a bright future. I am keen to help the children in every possible aspect so they
should not face any problems with their studies and should not be affected due to financial
issues.