The increasing phenomenon of the commercialization of education will further strengthen the class and caste system and result in the ghettoization of the students. This is particularly acute with minority community students, and in the long run, it will create hurdles to making an equitable and just society.
Syed Tanveer Ahmed*
NEW DELHI—At the outset, it is essential to understand that there is a difference between the commercialization and privatization of education. To some extent, the privatization of education is understandable, keeping in mind the government’s attitude towards spending public funds on education. However, the commercialization of education must be strongly opposed. The commercialization of education implies opening schools or imparting education in the manner of corporate companies with the sole objective of maximization of profit.
This corporate culture in education is now spreading in India very fast. Almost 99% of all preschools opened during the last five years are purely commercial ventures. Many educationists have described them as “education shops”.
Commercialization of education is not only against the values of education or imparting education. It is against the spirit of the Constitution of India. Experts have explained that, originally, the “Right to Education” (RTE) was placed as a fundamental right in the Constitution of India. However, later it became part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Article 14 of the Directive Principle says: “It is the duty of the government to provide free education up to age 14.” This has been emphasized by RTE, which is an Act of Parliament. Thus, as per this Act, every child below the age of 14 has a right to education. Commercialization of education is contradictory or hurts the fundamental spirit of RTE.
Against the Concept of Social Justice
Indian society is highly unequal regarding income distribution and social status. Hence, the commercialization of education will exacerbate this inequality and prevent marginalized and deprived communities from accessing quality education. Without a large section of society having access to quality education, social equity or social justice cannot be achieved.
Further, it will create layers in the education system in the form of different standards and categories of education institutions. Unfortunately, these layers exist even in public-funded schools. For example, Kendriya Vidyalayas, schools with high academic standards, and schools run by the state government; all have different standards of education, academic excellence, and achievement. In addition, earlier, many of these schools were with single teachers.
This kind of categorization exists in public-funded schools. However, more layers can be seen in private schools. For example, fashionable schools cater to the affluent class of society. On the other hand, schools for the downtrodden are poor in infrastructure and quality. In many cases, it is even worse than the government schools. Therefore, commercialization has created compartments and layers in the education system.
Students enjoying superior infrastructure and quality teachers excel academically, while students who do not have access to good schools face many challenges to excel academically. This inequality will create a vicious circle. If the 10 per cent affluent class enjoys better facilities, then only children of that group will benefit from a good education.
Against Equality and Universalization
To bring equality to society, we need equal opportunities for all students. This is being provided in many developed countries. However, as India is a developing country, our government is not providing equal educational opportunities for all children.
Commercialization of education also goes against the universalization of education: The spirit of our Constitution and the essence of various education commissions’ reports and suggestions is that education should be universalized.
Different commissions even gave deadlines for it to be implemented, but universalization of education still remains a pipedream in our country. There are different layers of schools available.
The elite and creamy layers send their children to elite schools with good education standards and facilities. In contrast, the lower middle class and poor fear the exorbitant fees in those elite schools. Therefore, they cannot afford these schools and send their children to private schools with lower standards and meagre facilities. Thus, universalization of education is not achieved.
Creating Division in Society
There are different layers of schools in society depending on the parent’s income. Accordingly, children go to private schools or commercialized schools. Therefore, these commercialized schools are consolidating the class division in society.
Along with the class system, they are also strengthening the caste system. Because students belonging to the upper caste have better opportunities for basic and higher education, they go to schools with high standards but socially and economically deprived communities and students belonging to minorities cannot go to such schools. They are going to poorly managed schools.
This phenomenon is deepening and strengthening the class and caste system. The commercialization of education also results in the ghettoization of students. This is particularly acute with the minority community. It is dangerous in the long run as ghettoization will inhibit and create hurdles to making an equitable and just society.
Anti-Welfare
One of the essential duties of a welfare government or a state is to provide affordable education for all its citizens. In many countries, primary education is publicly funded. As a result, a child of a millionaire and a low-earning citizen will go to the same school. This is the norm in many developed countries, but it is not the case in India. The simple reason is that the government is not taking an interest in improving the standard of schools.
Moreover, public spending in the education sector has drastically come down. Many commissions had recommended that 6% of GDP be allocated to education, but it has become just a slogan, and there is a lack of sincere effort in that direction.
Even in the NEP 2020, the government has planned many good programmes, but unfortunately, sufficient funds are not earmarked, nor are there any time-bound programmes in the field of education. This is simply happening due to the commercialization of education, and the government gradually would like to withdraw from the education field.
Corporatization
It has been observed that many big brands are entering the vast market of education. In the preschool sector, big corporate houses have launched their brands. Very soon, the market will be flooded with private schools.
Corporate houses are entering the education market as it is considered the second biggest in market size after the health sector. Therefore, if any government or society looks at education as a commodity or a market, then that society will not progress.
India wants to become the leader in the knowledge domain. For that, we need to rethink our programmes in education, particularly in the primary education field, up to 10+2. In addition, the government should invest more and more funds in this field so that social justice and social equity can be achieved.
Above all, the government should provide a level playing field for all students so that talented students without proper facilities are also appropriately nourished. These students with appropriate facilities, proper education, and proper guidance can also excel in the field of education and contribute to the nation and society.
*The writer is a well-known educationist and Director, Markazi Taleemi Board, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, New Delhi.
