Types of School - India

The present system of education is the contribution of the British presence in India. Prior to the advent of western education primarily by the missionaries, education in India was limited to Pathshalas and Madrasas where the scriptures were taught. If we go further back in history education was imparted in Gurukuls or the house of the Guru or teacher where a student spent several years of his life listening to the ancient scriptures and philosophy from his teacher. Education was not for all and only a segment of society was literate. However this changed in the 19th century with the setting up of schools in the modern pattern.

In the present system, the medium of instruction is either in the regional language or in English. The schools follow a three-language policy wherein the students start with the medium of instruction (English or the regional language) and then learn a second language (regional language or English) and a third language (depending on the options available) in high school. The schools are affiliated either to the State Government Education Boards or to the Central Government Board at Delhi.

English however an important language in schools is where at the moment there is a need to use the communicative approach rather than mere grammar and comprehension with an emphasis on Literature.

The Government schools take in teachers only if they are trained degree holders at the primary level and postgraduates at the secondary level. The private schools also follow the same policy in order to follow the same pay scale. However there is a growth in International Schools and they prefer teachers with TEFL qualifications.

Apart from regular schools there are also Language Schools in the cities where English is taught on a part time basis. The BPO industry has also created the need for English trainers in that sector. Corporate training is another area that requires TEFL trained teachers.

India has emerged as the hottest tourist destinations as well as the education hub for students from all over the world. Now a day a student can easily avail of foreign education and international standard of education in India as some of the best foreign universities tying up with Indian education Institutes. While some of the country's institutes (IITs, IISc, IIMs, AIIMS, ISI, BITS and ISB) are well known worldwide.