Option A is correct: The passage highlights the significance of quality education in imparting foundations skills, and its contribution to the knowledge economy through the lines “the advent of the knowledge economy poses new challenges, and one of the severe consequences of having an uneducated workforce will be our inability to keep pace with the global economy”. Thus the statement aligns with the message of the passage on the significance of quality education.

Option B is incorrect: This statement is not supported by the passage directly. The passage only talks about the challenges posed by the knowledge economy. It does not explicitly state that India is not focusing on or promoting a knowledge economy.

Option C is incorrect: The lines, “Like one learns to walk before running, similarly one picks up advanced skills only after picking the basic foundational skills.” and “Without a strong learning foundation at the primary level, there can be no improvement in higher education or skill development” clearly emphasize the importance of school education rather than the higher education.

Option D is incorrect: This statement is beyond the scope of the passage, as the passage does not talk about the literacy and awareness of the parents anywhere.