UPSC Mains 2016 GS Paper 2 Q9: model answer

In An Uncertain Glory (2013), Jean Drèze and Amartya Sen pointed out that Bangladesh, with half India's income per head, had better child immunisation and female literacy. Their message: growth does not automatically buy health and learning; public action does.

Sen's core argument

• Public investment in basic education and health came first in Japan, South Korea and Kerala; growth followed.
• Primary schools and health centres need accountability to communities, not just buildings.

Suggestions for primary education

• Foundational learning first: the NIPUN Bharat mission's target of reading and numeracy by Grade 3; ASER surveys show many Class 5 children cannot read a Class 2 text.
• Teaching at the right level, as Pratham's model shows.
• Teacher accountability and support: fill vacancies, cut non-teaching duties, train continuously.
• Mother-tongue instruction in early years (NEP 2020).
• School management committees with parents' real power.

Suggestions for primary health

• Raise public spending towards 2.5% of GDP, with most of it for primary care.
• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs with doctors, medicines and diagnostics, not only signboards.
• Community health workers with fair pay: ASHAs remain 'volunteers' on incentives.
• Preventive care: nutrition, sanitation, immunisation.
• Free essential medicines (Tamil Nadu model).

Common enablers

Decentralised funds to panchayats, public data on outcomes, and women's participation in school and health committees.

Sen's lesson is that capability comes before prosperity; India's growth will last only if its children learn and stay healthy.