India’s education system is at a crossroads. While policies like the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promise transformation, ground realities tell a different story. In this episode of The Supreet Singh Show, Supreet Singh engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Kulbhushan Sharma, President of NISA – National Independent Schools Alliance, representing 1 lakh affordable private schools across the country. Dr. Sharma’s insights uncover the truths behind India’s education crisis, the challenges faced by low-cost private schools, and the reforms needed to ensure quality education for all.
Dr. Kulbhushan Sharma is a leading education activist and President of NISA, a federation advocating for affordable private schools in India. His journey began after a personal tragedy—his younger brother’s self-immolation protesting educational inequality—which inspired him to dedicate his life to education reform. From founding Brijbhushan Memorial Model School in Ambala to leading India’s largest education rally at Ramleela Maidan with 65,000 educators, Dr. Sharma has fought tirelessly for educational democracy and teacher dignity. His activism includes hunger strikes, judicial custody, and international workshops on education policy.
India has 400,000–500,000 private schools, many serving rural and low-income families. A NISA report revealed ₹550 crore wasted on dummy schools without students, while a CAG report exposed over 1.11 crore fake admissions in Uttar Pradesh. These figures highlight systemic inefficiencies and the urgent need for reform. The rise of coaching centers has created a dual education system, causing mental stress and burnout among students. Success rates are dismal—only 1% succeed after coaching. Dr. Sharma advocates regulating coaching centers, aligning school curricula with entrance exams, and restricting coaching to after-school hours to reduce pressure on students.
Education in India was once a community-driven responsibility, dismantled by colonial policies. Today’s system suffers from colonial legacies, over-centralization, and lack of societal involvement. Dr. Sharma calls for reviving community-based education models and cites pioneers like Savitribai Phule as inspiration. India faces a severe skills gap, with graduates often unemployable due to outdated curricula. Dr. Sharma stresses the need for career counseling from Grade 6 onward, including parental guidance, and cites Germany as a model for aligning education with industry needs.
