Q. “Educational development is the only Panacea for country’s all ills and evils.” Critically examine the above statement with reference to NEP-2020.
UPSC Sociology 2025 Paper 2
Model Answer:
Educational development is undeniably a powerful instrument for social transformation, but labeling it as the sole panacea for all national ills represents an oversimplification. NEP-2020, while ambitious and progressive, must be examined within this critical framework.
Education as Catalyst: NEP-2020’s Vision
Education remains foundational to addressing societal problems, and NEP-2020 targets key areas:
• Economic Development: Through vocational training, skill development, and flexible learning pathways (multiple entry/exit), NEP-2020 builds what Theodore Schultz termed ‘human capital’, enhancing employability and reducing poverty.
• Social Equality: The Gender Inclusion Fund and support for Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) directly target inequalities rooted in patriarchy and caste discrimination, while mother tongue instruction democratizes access.
• National Integration: Promoting multilingualism and Indian knowledge systems while instilling constitutional values counters regionalism and communalism, fostering social cohesion as Durkheim envisioned.
Structural Limitations and Constraints
However, education’s efficacy remains constrained by larger structural realities that NEP-2020 alone cannot resolve:
• Deep-rooted Inequalities: As Pierre Bourdieu argued, educational success depends on pre-existing ‘cultural capital’ that disadvantaged groups lack, with poverty and caste prejudice preventing access regardless of policy provisions.
• Implementation Gaps: NEP-2020’s success requires political will, adequate funding (6% GDP allocation remains unrealized), and bureaucratic efficiency, but infrastructure deficits, teacher shortages, and corruption render progressive policies ineffective.
• Socio-cultural Barriers: Social evils like patriarchy and casteism are embedded in social structures beyond illiteracy, as Paulo Freire’s critique reveals how education can perpetuate existing power hierarchies—educated individuals often perpetrate gender violence and caste atrocities.
Conclusion: While NEP-2020 positions educational development as a cornerstone of progress, it cannot singularly address all societal ills. True transformation demands synergistic reforms across economic policies, social justice initiatives, healthcare, and governance alongside educational development.
