When exactly ten years ago we hesitantly ventured forth into the uncharted territory of education journalism to attain the lofty mission of “building the pressure of public opinion to make education the No.1 item on the national agenda”, I had no inkling how difficult an objective it would be. Somewhat naively, I assumed that the advantages of education are so self-evident that all sections of society would enthusiastically clamber aboard the EducationWorld bandwagon and transform it into a people’s movement. But now with the wisdom of hindsight, it’s obvious that one should have factored in the apathy of the teachers’ community; the indifference of the middle class towards public education; the hostility of politicians and bureaucrats who have had free and unquestioned run of the education system, and the myopia of Indian industry, the largest end-users of educated youth.
Nevertheless despite suffering the pangs of disprized love, the proud man’s contumely, the insolence of office, the law’s delay etc, and having had to plough a lonely furrow, this publication which completes ten years of uninterrupted completion with this issue, has not only survived, but prospered modestly. Although it would be absurd to claim that we have attained our objective of moving public education to the top of the national agenda, perhaps coincidently, this hitherto neglected subject has come a long way from the periphery towards centre of the national development discourse.
For this satisfactory, even if not entirely happy outcome, I feel it incumbent upon me to publicly thank our patient shareholders who have invested in this momentous enterprise without expectation of early reward, and our small but growing community of advertisers, readers and supporters who have practiced — rather than preached as per common custom — enlightened self-interest. To the captains of Indian industry whose first champion I was in a previous avatar, I make a renewed appeal to become more closely involved with EducationWorld and/or the cause of public education, wherein lies their salvation. Justice, equity, fair-play and self-interest demand that Indian industry nourishes its aquifers, and becomes deeply engaged with the development processes of Indian education.
Against this backdrop of mild satisfaction mixed with frustration, this 10th anniversary issue of EW presents a cover story which identifies and analyses ten big ideas creating a churn in the hitherto stagnant waters of primary, secondary and higher education. We believe that 1999-2009 has been a tipping point decade, which has changed the character of Indian education irrevocably, for the better. The ten big ideas/developments currently revolutionising Indian education, offer reason for hope that the long-delayed process of transforming India’s youth into the world’s most productive goods and service providers of the 21st century, has begun.
There’s much more than the first-of-its-type cover story in this celebratory 10th anniversary issue of EducationWorld. Assistant editor Summiya Yasmeen has compiled the memorable education milestones of the past decade. Moreover this special anniversary issue is embellished with insightful essays of eminent analysts who have taken time off to write for us. To them our grateful thanks.
