Unified educational identity: Moving from prestige to purpose

A radical approach to demolishing the new caste system in Indian education.

- SHANTANU PRAKASH

Education, a tool for empowerment and social mobility, has effectively been reduced to a status symbol. The "branding" of educational institutions—where a student's identity, worth, and future are often judged by the name of the school or college they attended—has created a deeply entrenched hierarchy. This phenomenon is particularly alarming in India, where the focus on democratizing education risks being undermined by the elitism propagated by these brands.

As the founder of a well-known chain of schools, I recall our early efforts to create a brand that people would aspire to. We focused heavily on logos, public relations, color schemes, advertising, and brand language. A decade later, The Millennium Schools have become a recognized name. Yet, despite this success, I receive more calls seeking admission recommendations for "legacy brands"—even if these schools are far away, expensive, or unsuitable for the child. Parents are willing to compromise everything because they believe their child needs the "brand tattoo" for life. This is a familiar and unfortunate story that highlights one of the most dysfunctional aspects of Indian education. We're all complicit in perpetuating the magnetic pull of becoming "elite."

ELITE SCHOOL BRANDS: A NEW-AGE CASTE SYSTEM Economic and Bureaucratic Dominance Graduates from elite schools and colleges such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and prestigious private schools dominate high-paying corporate roles, policymaking, and bureaucracy. Their alumni networks become exclusive clubs dictating access to power and influence.

For example, a disproportionate number of IAS officers and corporate CEOs—over 60%, according to recent studies—hail from these institutions. This creates a feedback loop where these schools become gateways to privilege rather than centers for democratized learning.