India+(MT)


 * India** (Mariah Thorpe)

India proves to be one of the leading locations in the world in terms of population. With large populations exist various challenges with economy, development, and education. India struggles with economic hardships, developmental concerns, and educational challenges alike. India attempts to balance traditional practices with more modern concepts of social and gender expectations. The total number for primary enrollment in primary schools during 2007 was 65,956,288, with a net enrollment of 89.81. This reflects an emphasis on basic learning at the primary age. India's educational opportunities change dramatically from the more urban areas to the more rural parts of the country. It is common for schools and educational practices to vary greatly in within the country.


 * Primary Education:** In India, primary education is a major staple for education and culture. Primary education in India continues up to age 14. In many under developed countries, many children work at a young age. Since the majority of education is free, this helps increase enrollment and participation in primary schools across the country. Unfortunately since India faces many challenges with such a large population. One of which is student and teacher ratio for free education. In urban areas the ratios are largely disproportionate. The government continues to make an effort to create more schools in various parts of the country to meet the growing demands for schools.


 * Secondary Education:** Secondary education in India covers the ages of 14 through 18. This age group is slightly decreased as apposed to the primary group of pupils. The transition rate is 85.9 for female and male students in secondary education. The general secondary program enrollment for 2007 was 95,306,729 with a small difference between the average rates for males and females. There is a demand for efficient secondary education especially within the urban areas. The teacher rations last accounted for reflects in some schools that there may be as may as 35-40 students per classroom in secondary schools, though this amount is subject to difference in various places in the country. According to data, it is interesting to note that the average entry age for secondary programs is eleven years old.


 * Tertiary Education**: In India the tertiary education participation population has increased to a little more than double it's size in the beginning of the millennium. Data now suggest that there are 113,572,900 students in the current tertiary population, with a gross enrollment ratio of 13.48 for both males and females. India has a large University system and is shortly behind China and the United States. Just as many states have a board of officials that make decisions for public universities, so does the India tertiary system. Many universities in India are globally acclaimed for their high standard in education. The general area of focus in tertiary education in India is science and technology. India also has womens' colleges that function under some of the main universities. The university system in India continues to grow and mature and will likely continue to be a major player in advanced university systems across the globe.


 * Human and Financial Resources:** The primary teaching staff for primary pupils was noted at 3,387,905 in 2004. This number was much more reflective of appropriate government spending on education than in prior years. Secondary teaching staff was slightly smaller at 2,586,211 in 2004, again reflective of an effort to support education. Unfortunately there is still a great need for adequately trained teachers at both the primary and secondary level of education. Total education expenditures was reported and 83% of funds are allocated for salaries and staffing of teachers. This leaves a small amount of revenue for supporting educational materials and various needs for pupils.