Over the past two decades, India has made remarkable progress in expanding access to education, with enrolment rates reaching historic highs across much of the country. Yet, a fundamental challenge persists: many students are not achieving expected learning outcomes. This panel will explore the factors behind this disconnect, including foundational literacy and numeracy gaps, teaching quality, assessment practices, curriculum design, and socioeconomic barriers. Bringing together educators, policymakers, and researchers, the discussion will examine why being in school does not always translate into meaningful learning and what systemic changes are needed to ensure every child acquires essential skills and knowledge.