Abstract

This paper delves into the pressing need for comprehensive educational changes in India to promote social justice. Acknowledging the multifaceted challenges within the Indian education system, the paper highlights disparities in access, curriculum limitations, pedagogical practices, and infrastructure deficiencies as hurdles obstructing social justice in education. It outlines a comprehensive set of reforms imperative for fostering social justice in education. The challenges outlined encompass inequitable access to quality education, outdated curriculum, reliance on rote learning, underfunded institutions, and the consequent perpetuation of inequality among marginalized communities. To address these challenges, the paper delineates a detailed roadmap of reforms. These include ensuring equitable access, addressing disparities, equitable resource allocation, fostering inclusivity in the curriculum, promoting innovative pedagogical practices, culturally responsive teaching, and supporting students with special needs or disabilities. The reforms also emphasize affirmative action, reducing achievement gaps, financial support, infrastructure development, teacher training, policy advocacy, and community engagement. The paper highlights the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as a significant initiative emphasizing inclusive education, early childhood care, curricular reforms, teacher training, digital education, financial support, and monitoring and evaluation. While NEP 2020 provides a broad vision for educational reform in India, the paper suggests that state-level implementations can tailor these initiatives to address local challenges. However, despite outlined strategies and policy frameworks, achieving social justice in education remains a formidable challenge. It stresses the need for collaborative efforts among policymakers, educational institutions, communities, and civil society to dismantle systemic barriers and create an inclusive, equitable educational landscape. The paper concludes by underscoring that these reforms are not just an investment in the future but a commitment to fostering a society where every individual, irrespective of background, can flourish. Prioritizing these reforms can pave the way for a more just, equitable, and prosperous future for all Indian citizens.