Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Jitu Patwari Says Education System Fails Demographic Dividend
Jitu Patwari said India has many young people who could help the country grow.
He argued that the education system is not giving enough children and young people the chance to learn.
He claimed that many youths cannot attend higher education and many children leave school early.
He also pointed to empty teacher positions and fewer government schools.
Patwari said education and job opportunities are both needed to benefit from a young population.
Congress wants the government to publish detailed education data and improve schools and universities.
The party also wants a clear plan to help students move from education into jobs.
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to hold a youth programme in Indore on September 19.
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari said India’s education system is failing to turn its demographic dividend into educational and employment opportunities.
Patwari claimed that more than 10 crore youths lack access to higher education and around 12 crore children do not complete schooling.
He cited school dropouts, vacant teaching posts, fewer government schools and limited higher-education access as major challenges.
Congress demanded a white paper, teacher recruitment, stronger public-school and university infrastructure, and a time-bound education-to-employment roadmap.
Rahul Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj youth programme is scheduled in Indore on September 19, after the administration denied permission to use a city stadium.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari, Congress spokesperson Abhay Dubey and Rahul Gandhi’s Congress programme organizers.
- What
- Patwari criticized India’s education system and outlined Congress demands for improving access to education and employment.
- When
- Patwari made the comments on Wednesday; Rahul Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj programme is scheduled for September 19.
- Where
- The press conference was held in Bhopal, while the programme is planned for Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Patwari said school dropouts, limited higher-education access, vacant teaching posts and inadequate infrastructure are preventing India’s demographic dividend from becoming an education and employment opportunity.
- Speaker
- Jitu Patwari, president of the Madhya Pradesh Congress
- Youths without higher-education access
- More than 10 crore, according to Patwari’s cited data
- Children not completing schooling
- Around 12 crore, according to Patwari’s cited data
- Upcoming programme
- Rahul Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj youth outreach programme
- Programme date
- September 19
- Programme location
- Indore
- Congress demands
- An education-data white paper, recruitment of teachers, stronger infrastructure and a time-bound education-to-employment roadmap
- Venue dispute
- The Indore administration denied permission to use a stadium; Congress said it was asked to pay more than ₹10 lakh to book a ground