1 Introduction
For India to emerge as a knowledge super power of the world in the shortest possible
time it is imperative to convert our demographic advantage into knowledge powerhouse
by nurturing and honing our working population into knowledge or knowledge enabled
working population. Human Resource Development would certainly be the key for it to
happen. To come to grips with the task ahead, it would be appropriate to have a look at our
eco-systems.
1.1 Statistical Indicators: The following statistics would reveal the magnitude of the
problem:
• Literacy rates: The overall literacy rate in the country, as per the 2001 census,
was 64.8 %. This implies that we do not even have the formal means to know
about the talents of the remaining 35.2 % of the population, let alone try to
nurture their talents. This is a very high under utilization of the nation’s
human resources.
• Growth of educational institutions: Between 2000-01 and 2003-04, the number
of Primary Schools has risen from 6.38 lacs to 7.12 lacs i.e., a simple rate of
growth of 3.87 % p.a.. Similarly, in the same period, the number of Upper
Primary Schools has risen from 2.06 lacs to 2.62 lacs i.e., a simple rate of
growth of 9.06 % p.a.. The Plus 2 level institutions during the same period
have risen from 1.26 lacs to 1.46 lacs i.e., a simple rate of growth of 5.29 %
p.a. . In the same period, the number of Colleges for general education has risen
from 7900 to 9400 i.e., a simple rate growth of 6.33 % p.a. With a slow rate of
growth in the number of educational institutions, we cannot hope to quickly
make a dent on the base line educational status of the population. Hence, the
conventional approach must also be aided and supported by the technological SECRET
No. F.5-29/2007-DL
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
SECRET
interventions through ICT so as to make available the knowledge resources
to every learner as per his / her convenience and just in time.
• Enrolment of students: The rates of rise in enrolment per annum, between
2000-01 and 2003-04 in Primary, Upper Primary and High / Higher Secondary
classes, have been 4.24%, 4.59% and 8.93%, respectively. At this rate, unless
alternative routes are opened, it seems very difficult to bridge the gaps and
achieve full utilization of our human resource potential.
• Gross enrolment ratio: The gross enrolment ratio for the primary classes
has been hovering between 90 to 100% since 1990-91, but even then the
literacy rate being only 64.8 % signifies that a large number of students drop
out quite early, without achieving literacy. A question comes to mind as to
how could they get enrolled in the first place if they had to drop out within
a year or two or whether our pedagogy is so unattractive as to lose the
interest of the young minds.
• Drop out rates: The drop out rates in 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04
have been 40.7%, 39.0%, 34.9% and 31.5% respectively.
1.2 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis
1.2.1 Weaknesses Identified: Our ambition of India becoming a knowledge super power
by effectively utilizing her abundant human resource faces the following weaknesses:
1. Abundance of un-nurtured talent.
2. Lack of timely and easy availability of knowledge resources to all.
3. Opportunities lost because of difficult access to information and guidance.
4. Mismatch between demand and supply of knowledge and skills
5. Lack of collaborative learning
6. Questionable quality of teaching at various places SECRET
No. F.5-29/2007-DL
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
SECRET
7. Non-standardized testing
8. The lack of a legal framework that links the qualification and certification framework
to the prescribed requirements for the job and a regular performance appraisal of those
who prepare the content and of those who deliver and teach it.
9. The growing digital divide
10. A lack of personalized monitoring and long term tracking of growth and enhancement
in learning, skill and performance.
11. A very low percentage of digital literacy
12. Lack of encouragement to excel
13. Substantial duplication of efforts at various levels
14. Time mismatch between school hours and employment hours for those learners who
have to simultaneously earn the livelihood for their families.
15. a lack of access to institutions
16. a lack of access devices to digitally bypass shortcomings of Institutions and teachers
17. a lack of multi-layered networks for knowledge absorption and knowledge
propagation.
18. The lack of a strong contingent of motivated teachers.
19. Inefficient functioning of the knowledge delivery mechanism.
1.2.2 Inherent Strengths: On the other hand, we have the following inherent strengths:
• A large human resources of high intellectual caliber
• A large number of expert faculty in almost every field
• A growing middle class with a high priority for education
• A number of world class institutions of learning & research
• Technological and Communication backbone to take their advantage in the field of
knowledge empowerment of the mass of learners...
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