I often wondered why education was so inexpensive at my school. I attended a convent school run by Diocesan fathers and didn’t pay a single penny for my studies. In fact, we were provided with textbooks and even received free lunches. How was such quality education possible? It wasn’t until later, as an adult, that I discovered my entire tuition was paid by the State government. While the school was managed by Diocesan fathers, the financial support came through a system called “Aided Schools.” Kerala boasts numerous such aided schools, both private and public, where the government ensures quality education is maintained. Looking back, I can’t thank the State government enough for investing in us. This is just one glimpse of the Kerala Model of Development.
Kerala, located in the far south of India, is a lush, fertile State slightly smaller than Nepal. Its development has been a topic of interest both nationally and internationally, with various universities abroad including the Kerala Model in their curriculum. Having lived away from home for over three decades, I’ve come to understand just how comprehensive and well-planned Kerala’s development strategy truly is.
Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen has been one of the most vocal advocates of the Kerala Model. In his book “Development as Freedom,” he frequently cites Kerala as an example of how investing in human capabilities through education, healthcare, and social welfare can lead to sustainable development. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also praise Kerala’s development model. It has been the subject of numerous international studies by scholars and institutions such as the London School of Economics and Harvard University. What sets the Kerala Model of Development apart from other States’ development strategies?
The Historical Roots of Kerala’s Development
Kerala’s development roots trace back to its pre-independence period under princely States like Travancore and Cochin, which already implemented progressive policies in education and health. After India’s independence in 1956, Kerala’s first government, formed under the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1957, continued to build on these foundations.
Kerala Tourism’s first STREET project inaugurated in Maravanthu...
Several factors contribute to Kerala’s development, with three key layers forming its foundational structure.
Social Reform Movements: The first layer involved the abolition of the caste system. As early as the 1800s, the social reform movements led by figures like Sree Narayana Guru and Ayyankali played pivotal roles in promoting social equality and dismantling caste barriers. In 1888, Sree Narayana Guru consecrated the Aruvippuram Shiva Temple, defying caste restrictions. His message of “One Caste, One Religion, One God for Humanity” challenged caste-based discrimination and promoted social harmony. He focused on spiritual reform, rejecting caste-based divisions in religious practice and promoting an inclusive approach to spirituality. In 1893, Ayyankali led the first organized movement by the Dalit community to assert their rights, including a bullock cart strike, as Dalits were forbidden from using public roads. These efforts laid the groundwork for a more equitable society, leaving Kerala a largely casteless State today.
Another exemplary aspect of Kerala is its religious tolerance. Christianity is believed to have arrived in Kerala as early as 52 AD with St. Thomas the Apostle, and Jewish and Arab Muslim traders came even earlier. By the 7th century, traders from the Middle East introduced Islam, primarily through peaceful trade relations and intermarriage, rather than through conflict or coercion. This history of peaceful coexistence established a cultural and religious tolerance that persists today.
People from different religious backgrounds participate in each other’s festivals; for example, Onam, a Hindu harvest festival, is celebrated by Hindus, Christians, and Muslims alike. The spirit of inclusivity is evident during Christmas, Easter, and Eid, reflecting Kerala’s rich tradition of cultural integration. Visitors often find it hard to distinguish who belongs to which religion amidst the lively crowds of festivities. Such harmony is still intact despite the growing politicization of religions in India.
Strategic Focus on Education: The second layer was Kerala’s long-standing tradition of education. The State’s educational history is rooted in the Gurukul system, Hindu temple schools, and institutions run by Christian missionaries. The Gurukul and temple schools primarily served upper-caste communities, teaching subjects like Sanskrit, astrology, mathematics, and the Vedas. As early as the 16th century, European Christian missionaries, especially the Portuguese, Syrians, and later Protestant missionaries from Britain and Germany, introduced Western education in Kerala. They set up schools and colleges open to all, regardless of caste or religion. They also promoted vernacular education by using Malayalam as the medium of instruction. By the late 20th century, Kerala had achieved near-universal literacy, becoming the first Indian State to surpass a 90% literacy rate by 1991.
Despite having a communist government, Kerala’s development has been executed through a deeply rooted secular lens. An example of the progressive direction of the education system is the aided school structure, where the government provides financial support to private schools (many run by Christian missionaries) to ensure quality education while maintaining a secular character. This partnership between the government and private/missionary institutions has expanded educational access. The government’s role in funding, curriculum development, teacher training, and setting educational standards has ensured that aided schools meet the same standards as public ones, creating a consistent and equitable education system.
Public Health and Social Welfare: The third layer involved the public health and social welfare system. On my last visit to Kerala, I was mesmerized by health workers visiting families in rural areas and providing free medical care at home. For instance, a 90-year-old woman received a medical bed and other facilities at home. Another 82-year-old woman gets regular insulin and other medications delivered to her own home. Kerala’s management of public health, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and Nipah outbreaks, received international acclaim. The State’s primary healthcare system is well-developed, with high accessibility even in remote villages. Senior citizens and disabled individuals benefit from the easily accessible healthcare services at the local Panchayat centers. Kerala’s early response strategies, well-worked-out public health system, and community involvement were key to its effective handling of health crises. Additionally, the State has also invested in an efficient Public Distribution System (PDS), helping keep hunger and malnutrition levels low compared to other Indian States. Those Below the Poverty Line (BPL) receive extensive health facilities and subsidized food such as rice, wheat, oil, and sugar. The government makes sure no one in the State goes hungry.
Food for Thought!
The recent floods in Kathmandu made me reflect on the need for Nepal to adopt a more proactive and strategic approach to development. Instead of offering excuses for our failures in crisis management, we should embark on a journey toward sustainable development. While some initiatives are in place, they are not efficient. Ensuring education for all through a well-structured policy-based private-government partnership can, in no way, take the education sector backward in Nepal. Since an educated society is the bedrock of sustainable development and social empowerment, the nation should not hesitate to take a creative leap.
This focus should prioritize the development of a free and accessible education system that reaches every corner of the country. Amidst the existing one model school system, we can implement more robust policies that allow the private sector to create research-based educational systems. This will allow the students to choose what kind of education they want to pursue. We can’t undermine the competencies of the private sector in boosting education development.
Secondly, Nepal should focus on a comprehensive healthcare system, especially since nearly half of its population lives in areas with poor or nonexistent road access. Strengthening local health centers, training healthcare workers, and ensuring adequate supplies of medicines and equipment are basic responsibilities of the government. Health is an essential need of the citizens and therefore, a priority must be given to it.
Lastly, we must adopt a more scientific and data-driven approach to disaster preparedness. The country has generated notable scientists but Western countries are reaping the fruit of their intellect. Expanding scientific centers that can ensure early warning systems with the help of atmospheric, geophysical, and astronomical experts can enhance our preparedness for natural disasters. Additionally, we must develop efficient local response teams and conduct continuous public awareness campaigns to train local officials and communities on responding to floods, earthquakes, and other emergencies.
The Kerala Model of Development is a testament to the power of investing in people through education, healthcare, and social equity; and it offers valuable lessons for us to think about!
