Why India Struggles to Achieve What China Has Done: The Education Divide

India and China are often compared as two of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Both countries have huge populations and a young workforce. However, when it comes to education, the two nations have taken very different paths. While China has made top-quality education free and accessible to all, India’s education system, especially the elite IIT/IIM model, leaves out a large part of its population. This has created a divide that holds India back from achieving what China has done.

China’s Free and Inclusive Education System

In China, education is seen as a right, not a privilege. From kindergarten (KG) to university, the government provides free, high-quality education to all its citizens. This means that every child, no matter how rich or poor, has access to the same level of education. The focus is on building a strong foundation for everyone, which helps the country grow as a whole. This system has allowed China to produce a skilled and educated workforce, which has been a key factor in its rapid economic growth.

India’s IIT/IIM Model: Education for the Elite

In India, the story is very different. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are world-class institutions, but they cater to only a small percentage of the population. These institutions are highly competitive, and only the brightest students get in. While this creates a small group of highly skilled professionals, it leaves out 95% of the population who do not have access to the same quality of education.

The problem starts early. Many children in India do not even finish school because of poverty, lack of resources, or poor-quality teaching. Even those who do complete school often cannot afford higher education. As a result, only a small elite group benefits from the best education, while the majority is left behind.

From Nehru to Modi: Serving the Elite

Since India’s independence, leaders from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi have focused on building elite institutions like the IITs and IIMs. While these institutions have produced some of the brightest minds in the world, they have not addressed the needs of the majority. The focus has always been on creating a small group of highly skilled individuals, rather than improving the overall education system.

This approach has created a huge gap between the rich and the poor. The elite get the best education and opportunities, while the rest struggle to get even basic education. This divide has slowed down India’s progress and made it difficult for the country to compete with nations like China.

What Needs to Change?

For India to achieve what China has done, it needs to make education a priority for everyone, not just the elite. The government should focus on improving the quality of education in schools and making higher education more accessible and affordable. This means investing more in public education, training teachers, and providing resources to schools in rural areas.

India also needs to move away from the idea that only a few elite institutions matter. While the IITs and IIMs are important, they cannot be the only path to success. The country needs to create more opportunities for students outside these institutions and ensure that everyone has a fair chance to succeed.

Thoughts

China’s success shows that a strong, inclusive education system is the key to a nation’s growth. India, on the other hand, has focused too much on creating a small group of elites while neglecting the majority. If India wants to compete with China and achieve similar success, it needs to rethink its education system and make it more inclusive. Only then can the country unlock its full potential and give every citizen a chance to succeed.