Education Views | Insightful Perspectives and Analysis - Edinbox

Step into a typical classroom in any major Indian city today, and one thing which will be common is that English is everywhere. It’s the language of instruction, conversation, exams, and even casual jokes between students. From kindergarten to coaching classes, English isn’t just a subject, it’s in the atmosphere.

And it’s not hard to see why. English is linked to better jobs, higher education, and international mobility. It signals confidence, polish, and opportunity. In a country as diverse and unequal as India, English is a tool that can level the field.

But in building everything around that one tool, we’re slowly losing others. Our regional languages, the ones we grew up hearing at home, speaking with grandparents, using in street corners and stories are disappearing from schools. Not officially, maybe, but definitely in practice.

In many English-medium schools, regional languages are reduced to two classes a few times a week. Sometimes they’re offered only until Class 8 or as optional papers in exams. Often, they’re treated like a chore, something to get over with. You rarely see the same enthusiasm, resources, or training that’s poured into English.

Even when regional languages are part of the curriculum, they’re not really alive in the school environment. Morning assemblies are in English. Notices are in English. Teachers encourage kids to “speak in English only” even during breaks. Some schools even fine students for speaking in their mother tongue. The message is clear: English means success, and anything else is holding you back.

This hierarchy creates a subtle kind of shame. Kids start feeling awkward speaking in their own language. They switch to English even at home. They laugh at classmates who don’t sound fluent. Slowly, a language that once felt natural begins to feel embarrassing.

It’s not just about grammar or vocabulary. Language is emotional. It’s how we form memories, express feelings, and tell stories. When we push children to learn and think only in English, we risk cutting them off from their cultural identity. We flatten something that used to have depth, variety, and emotion.

According to the 2011 Census, India has 121 major languages and 270 smaller ones. But UNESCO lists 197 Indian languages as either endangered or vulnerable. And while there are many reasons for this including migration, politics, and social shifts, our education system plays a role too. When children don’t see their language respected in the classroom, they stop valuing it elsewhere.

This isn’t about turning away from English. That would be both unrealistic and unfair. English does open doors, especially in higher education and the global job market. The problem isn’t English but it’s how everything else gets pushed aside for it.

The real challenge is coexistence. Can we build classrooms where a child learns to write a perfect essay in English and read a poem in Hindi with the same fluency and pride? Can we create space for local literature, theatre, debate, and storytelling but not just tucked into one period a week, but across the school culture?

Some states and schools are trying. Bilingual teaching models are being tested. In Kerala and parts of Maharashtra, there’s been a push to bring regional literature back into focus. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 also talks about promoting mother tongue instruction, especially in the foundational years. But this implementation is inconsistent. In urban private schools especially, the pressure to stick to English remains high, sometimes from the school, sometimes from the parents themselves.

There’s also the issue of teacher training. Many schools simply don’t have well-trained staff to teach regional languages in a way that’s engaging and current. Textbooks are outdated. Classes are dull. And when students don’t see the relevance, they switch off.

Fixing this doesn’t mean turning away from progress. It means understanding that English and Indian languages don’t have to compete. A student can learn both. In fact, research shows that strong skills in the first language actually help in learning a second one. Multilingualism isn’t a burden,  it’s a strength.

And it’s a strength, a power that we’re in danger of losing.

If schools continue to treat regional languages as side characters in the education story, the next generation may never learn to speak, write, or even understand them deeply. Not because they didn’t want to, but because they were never given the tools or encouragement to.

So no, the goal isn’t to stop teaching English. The goal is to stop teaching that English is the only thing that matters. Because the moment we start believing that, we risk forgetting too much of who we are.

By Aditi Sawarkar

It was business as usual at a school in Jalna district of Maharashtra—except that it wasn't. A scene from a skit, indeed, more so when a teacher allegedly slept during a class, leaving the students in a state of confusion and twiddling their thumbs for nearly 30 minutes. Something that started with muffled chuckles by kids now is a state-level discussion on the cracks in our education system.

The instructor, whose identity was not released, dozed during a class that he was monitoring. Without a person to guide at the front, the students sat patiently, some in hushed voices, uncertain as to what they should do next.

"It's deplorable," complained one anxious parent. "What is this teaching our children? That it's okay to nap at work?"

But not all are campaigning to assign blame. Sure, the incident raises valid concerns about classroom responsibility and discipline, but it also points to something more pernicious—teacher burnout. "We don't condone what's happened," a teachers' union official said, "but look at what's driving teachers to do this. Many of us work overfilled classrooms and no extra help and late paychecks. It's not a one-time thing—it's a sign."

They point out how such accidents can turn into an enormous drag on the respectability of the teachers and upset the learning culture. "Teachers form the backbone of any education system," said an educationist. "They need to be role models. But they need to be tended to, trained, and worked into properly.".

The school administration has assured a complete investigation, but the bigger question remains: what does this incident reveal about pressure on educators and lapses in monitoring?

Lastly, the inadvertent doze of the teacher may just prove to be the wake-up call Maharashtra's education system needed. One that reminds us our classrooms don't require discipline alone, but compassion, investment, and reform.

When 643 minds converge at the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, it is not just another year of studies. It is a statement of where India is headed — towards inclusive excellence, inter-disciplinary exploration, and humane leadership.

The thrill of Day One at any top business school is there — new faces, nerves, and aspirations are tied tightly into blazers and formal footwear. But at IIM Lucknow this year, the figures tell a tale of mission. With 30% of the incoming cohort being female, and over 50% of the students hailing from non-engineering streams — from commerce to the arts — the message is stark and simple: Indian business leadership is transforming, and so are those who will transform it.

This isn't about checking diversity boxes. It's about redefining who gets to lead and why. Indian business schools for too long were copies — engineers, men, sometimes of limited emotional range. But the world has moved on. Business leaders today must be learned to listen as well as to strategize, to feel as much as to optimize. And IIM Lucknow appears to be stepping up to this task with intent.

The most powerful message came from Prof. Sanjeet Singh, who highlighted the fact that the job of students should be to build the right questions and not inquiring for pre-set answers. In a world where numbers are crunched by AI and algorithms predict demand, it's the human factor — critical thinking, empathy, ethical sensitivity — that will distinguish good managers from great managers.

What lies in wait for these students is more than a sequence of internships and placements. It's a call to look within, to discover, and finally to redefine leadership in India. This initiation is not a ritualistic function — it's a guarantee. That IIM Lucknow will not merely educate students on how to create businesses, but on how to create character.

Because in the end, as the institute so rightly says, this is not merely the beginning of a career — it's the beginning of becoming.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu has rolled out a new program – BSc in behavioral sciences and predictive analytics. The new undergraduate program is crafted by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. JEE Advanced 2025 qualified candidates can apply for the new UG program at IIT Jammu. Candidates who are interested can apply at -- iitjammu.ac.in and iitjammu.ac.in/hss.

This program aims to combine essential concepts from psychology, cognitive science, behavioral economics and sociology, and combines them with statistical thinking, data science and predictive modeling. The aim is to enable students to comprehend human action not only at the level of personal experience, but also as rich, quantifiable patterns which develop over social systems and contexts. This interdisciplinary program is made to fill the gap between an understanding of human action and data-driven decision-making.

By combining principles from behavioral sciences, psychology, sociology, and economics with methods in statistics, data analysis, and computational modelling, students will be prepared to decipher intricate human patterns and make a positive contribution to solutions in fields as diverse as mental health and education, as well as policy, design, and technology.

The four-year degree program of BSc in behavioral sciences and predictive analytics (BSBSPA) will integrate the observation of human behavior with sophisticated analytical methods, providing an interdisciplinary education that is highly relevant in today's data-intensive world.

During Year 1 and Year 2, students will receive foundation training that lays a solid groundwork via courses in Behavioral Sciences, Neurosciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Economics, Mathematics, Computer Programming, Data Science, Machine Learning, Psychology, and Cognitive Sciences.

During Year 3 and Year 4, students take courses in advanced and specialization domains like Data Science, Machine Learning, Behavioral Sciences, Business Strategy, Psychology, Economics, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Policy Making. The curriculum also consists of a half-year industry experience along with an assortment of elective courses available in various departments of IIT Jammu.

The introduction of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has aroused a mixed reaction from the Indian higher education circle. While it is being sold as an innovative reform on the global model, its critics believe that it would bring more uncertainty than certainty.

On its surface, FYUP provides creativity and flexibility. It provides multiple points of entry and multiple points of exit—certificate after one year, diploma after two years, degree after three years, and a research degree after four years. The intention is to create integrated, inter-disciplinary learning and break down subject compartments. The programme also combines community service, value education, and internship, marking an evolutionary leap forward in linking academia with practical issues.

But realities on ground are otherwise. How FYUP has been brought in most universities—likely by executive fiat and short of complete deliberation or UGC guidelines—is a reason for serious suspicion. It is a change so fundamental to implement without systemic preparedness that it has the capability to undermine academic standards. Universities are already struggling to make up for infrastructure and faculty shortcomings. How will they be able to facilitate the high-intensity research and interdisciplinarity that the FYUP plans to implement, now?

Also, the idea of exit points several is utopian in theory but could actually produce a hierarchy of graduates. Will a diploma holder be treated equally to a diploma holder or even an individual with a full-fledged four-year degree? The already constrained labor market with mismatches of employability might actually become more perplexed with the patchwork of qualifications.

We threaten to actually speed up the vocationalisation of university education. Vocation training is required, but should not replace intellectual rigor which under-graduate study needs to provide. We might very well in practice commodify university education as a training module for employment in disguise of flexibility.

NEP 2020 discusses pedagogic innovation and institutional autonomy. How can institutions of higher education be autonomous if they are forced to adopt top-down policy transformation without any preparation? Multidisciplinary learning, lifelong learning, and research degree are excellent ideals but need visionary planning, quality preparation of teachers, and sound regulation—not haphazardly implementing them.

The FYUP could have been a blessing—if well executed with a robust regulatory environment, pilot operation, and ongoing public debate. Otherwise, it will be the latest reform that will look resplendent on paper but fails the test at the ground level. At least for now, it is an uneven bag: promising but marred by reckless implementation.

A journey of dreams, Decisions and Determination turns out to be the best  when you are constant in your efforts and action.

I will start next week. I will apply when I feel ready. This is not the right time.Always talk about tomorrow, live in the present ,do it now! Don’t wait for the right time when you will have a full plate to serve.

But there is no perfect time.You don’t build a future when you're completely prepared. You build it while you are figuring things out.

Look around you. The most successful people were not born ready,they started scared, unsure, and often without a clear path. What they did right was they started anyway.

Today is more powerful than someday. Use it.

Your Present is the Blueprint-We often hear, The future is bright, but brightness doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from designing. Imagine your life as a home you’re building. Every subject you learn, every experience you embrace, every skill you acquire is a brick. Your patience, discipline, and curiosity are the cement holding it together.

What you do today decides how strong your tomorrow will be

Each day you wake up with a choice. A choice to build something meaningful, to take even the smallest step toward a better version of yourself, and to prepare,not just for exams or assignments,but for a life full of possibilities. In a world that changes faster than ever before, where technology, expectations, and competition seem overwhelming, the only way to stay ahead is by building yourself today, with every thought, every habit, and every effort preparing you for the tomorrow you dream of.

Dreams, Demand Daily Action- what separates a daydreamer from a doer?

Consistency-Your dream is a seed. But seeds need water every day. Not floods of motivation once a year, but a small consistent effort. One article written today, one skill practiced, one doubt cleared, one email sent,these are the footsteps toward your future.

 Ask yourself: What did I do today that moved me 1% closer to my dream?

Even if the answer is small, it's still powerful.

Struggles Are Steps Forward- Every time you struggle,be it with a subject, personal challenge, rejection, or failure,you are growing in silence. Struggles are uncomfortable, yes. But they are also teachers in disguise.

A student who fails in an assignment but reflects and improves has built resilience. Another who didn’t get the internship but reworks their portfolio has built strength. This is preparation.

 “Your scars today will shine as strength tomorrow.”

Don’t fear hard days. They are preparing you for a world that requires strong, thoughtful, and emotionally intelligent individuals.

Prepare Beyond the Syllabus.Yes, marks matter. But your future will demand more than grades.

Start preparing from today!

Communication-Learn to express clearly,write, speak, and listen.

Creativity-just learn, imagine. Think beyond textbooks.

Empathy- Understand others. Teamwork and leadership begin with compassion.

Digital Skills- In a digital world, knowing basic tools, platforms, and trends gives you an edge.

Critical Thinking-Don’t accept information,analyze it, question it, apply it.

These are your superpowers. Build them today.

Learn From Everyone, Everywhere-Your teacher, a YouTube video, a podcast, a senior’s experience, an online course, even your failures,every person and moment can be a classroom.

Learning is not restricted to a timetable. It’s a mindset.

A future-ready student is curious, always asking:

What can I learn here?

How can I grow through this?

What’s the deeper lesson?

 “Don’t just prepare for the next exam. Prepare for the next version of yourself.”

Vision Without Pressure-Yes, thinking about the future can be overwhelming. It feels like a mountain of decisions. But take a deep breath.You don’t have to figure out your entire life today.

You just need to know the next step. And take it.Whether it’s joining a workshop, improving your LinkedIn, building a portfolio, or starting a project,do the next right thing. Let the path unfold one decision at a time.

 Remember- Your journey is yours. Don’t compare. Don’t rush.

Our Attitude is the Asset-It’s not just talent, but attitude that creates success.

Be open to feedback.Grateful for small wins.Hungry to improve.Kind to others.Humble in success, Graceful in failure.

Employers, mentors, even friends, everyone values attitude. It’s the unspoken resume you carry everywhere.

Build With Purpose, Not Just Pressure-Why are you studying this subject? Why do you want that job?

The answers should not just be “because others are doing it” or “it’s safe.” Let your “why” be stronger than your “what.”

Purpose is the invisible force that pulls you through long days. It makes efforts meaningful. And it’s okay if your purpose changes. What matters is that you care deeply about what you’re doing today.

Don’t just chase success. Build significance.Build relationships along the Way.

As you prepare for your career, don’t forget the people on the journey. The classmates, teachers, mentors, peers,they are part of your ecosystem.Tomorrow’s opportunities often come through today’s connections.

Learn to collaborate.Be a good listener.Help others rise.

Visualize the Future You Want- Close your eyes and see yourself five years from now:

What are you doing?How do you feel?What kind of person are you?

Now come back to today and ask:What can I do today that brings me closer to that version of me?

You are the Architect. You hold the pencil.Don’t wait for someone else to design your life.

Design your day. Schedule your priorities. Set your boundaries. Choose your circle. And protect your energy. If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to build theirs.

Take Breaks, But Don’t Break-It’s okay to feel tired. It’s okay to pause. Rest is part of growth.

Just don’t quit.Even when the journey feels long, your small steps matter.Brick by brick, effort by effort,you are building something extraordinary. I know it’s not always easy. The pressure, the doubt, the expectations,they sometimes weigh more than your backpack.

But I also know this. You are capable of greatness.

You are not just a student.You are a builder of dreams, a fighter of fears, a learner of life.

So please, don’t underestimate the power of today. What you build today,in learning, in discipline, in kindness.Your tomorrow is watching. And it's cheering you on.

Brick by Brick, You Are Becoming.Every Single Day is a Building Block.

Some days may feel slow, some fast. Some days you’ll feel proud, other days lost. But no matter what, you’re creating something meaningful.

You are preparing not just for a job or a career, but for a life that feels fulfilling, brave, and true to you.

So stay curious. Stay kind. Stay committed.

Because when you build today with heart, your tomorrow becomes unstoppable.

Keep Going!