Preprimary and Primary Education in India

The primary education objectives include developing basic literacy and numeracy skills fostering socialization and nurturing love for learning. It aims to prepare students for further education and life long learning. The near universalization of primary schooling is one of the great global achievements of past decades. In the early 1950s, 50% of primary school-aged children worldwide were out of school. Today, that figure stands at 11% Still, the most marginalized children remain cut off from primary education – deprived of their right to develop foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) skills. An estimated 70% of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries are now unable to understand a simple written text. In low-income countries, only two thirds of children are estimated to complete primary school. Inequitable access exists across other divides: Children living in emergency and fragile settings, including refugee children, have fewer chances to complete primary school. Gender also plays a role, as girls who grow up in poor households are more likely than their male peers to have never attended or to have dropped out of primary school. Even for students in school, far too many are not learning the critical foundational skills (literacy and numeracy, but also digital and transferrable skills) they need to thrive. Primary education forms the bedrock of development. It is in primary school that children learn foundational skills that prepare them for life, work and active citizenship. Quality education empowers children and young people, safeguards their health and well-being, and breaks cycles of poverty.