A new survey by UNICEF and Gallup, conducted across 21 countries, shows that young Indians not only believe that education is the biggest determinant of success, but also that the quality of education in the country has improved. The survey, called The Changing Childhood Project and released ahead of World Children’s Day (November 20), shows that 73 per cent of young Indians believe that education quality is now better than it ever was before.
The survey included more than 21,000 people aged 15 to 24 years and 40 years and above across 21 countries in early 2021. Around 1500 respondents from India were surveyed during this period which preceded the second deadly wave of COVID-19.
The survey also revealed that 57 per cent of Indians aged 15 to 24 years, and 45 per cent of Indians above 40 years also believe that education determines the amount of success you’ll have in life. The report also highlighted that perceptions regarding education also varied based on gender. While nearly 78 per cent of women above 40 years believe that education for children is better today than it was for their parents, only 72 per cent of men in the same age category felt the same. Around 59 per cent of girls aged 15 and 24 years are more convinced than boys the same age that education plays a role in success. Similarly, 67 per cent of girls feel that digital tech has helped children in education, compared to 59 per cent of boys.
Similar to this gender difference in perception, the survey also found perception gaps between younger and older participants. Nearly 71 per cent of older people that children today will be economically better off than their parents, while only 66 per cent of younger children believe the same. Only 27 per cent of older people in the country use the internet daily, while 57 per cent of young people use it every day—making this percentage the fourth largest generation gap among the 21 countries studied.
The report also found that when it comes to climate change, only 42 per cent of older people have heard of it, while 55 per cent of young Indians are aware of it—and this was the biggest overall generational gap across 21 countries. It also showed that younger generations are more likely to blame companies for climate change. Another huge generational gap observed in India was regarding physical punishment. With 55 per cent of young Indians saying it’s acceptable for parents to physically punish a child, and 47 per cent of older Indians agreeing, this revelation comes as shocking. In a similar vein, a high number of young people in India, according to the survey, also believe it’s acceptable for teachers to physically punish children.
On the more optimistic side, the survey found that 64 per cent of young people are likely to believe that the world is becoming a better place. Moreover, 70 per cent of young Indians also believe that physical safety has improved over the past generation.