Transforming higher education in the country
The union ministry of human resource development is in the midst of formulating a document on ‘New Education Policy’. The ministry has invited suggestions from all stakeholders from the grass root level to state governments, on primary, secondary and tertiary education. A committee appointed by the MHRD under the chairmanship of senior bureaucrat TSR Subramanyam circulated 20 themes on higher ( tertiary) education, seeking comments from experts and stakeholders. Based on the draft of this committee, the MHRD is likely to enunciate the New Education Policy on education.
In the meantime, it is worthwhile to assess the present higher education scenario in India. The scenario is not encouraging, if not gloomy. Many old state universities, which played a pivotal role in providing quality higher education in the past, are not prepared to transform themselves to meet the aspirations of the young generation. No higher education institution in India is figuring prominently in any world ranking.
Recently, for 368 class IV posts advertised by the UP government, around 23 lakh applications were received. The ppplicants included degree holders, highly qualified professionals including 255 PhD holders. This indicates the level of unemployment as well as the irrelevance of education imparted by HEI. At the same time, we find the shortage of skilled manpower. In short, there is a total ‘mismatch’ in the job market. We need huge properly trained manpower for the success of ambitious central government programmes like ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’ and for the creation of ‘Smart Cities’.
But the present higher education scenario does not guarantee the availability of such manpower.
A SWOC (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Challenges) analysis of the present status of higher education institutions in India will help design a new policy, urgently needed to transform higher education in India.
STRENGTHS
India has around 800 universities and more than 40,000 colleges, ranking number one in the world as far as the number of higher education institutions are concerned. Also India is providing tertiary education to about 2.6 crore students, next only to China and the USA. India is a country of youth . More than 65% of population is less than 35 years old.
In a decade, India will have the largest population of English knowing people as compared to any other nation.
WEAKNESSES
Overall quality and relevance of higher education in India is poor. Because of accelerated expansion, we failed to monitor quality. We never paid serious attention to skilling young students with contemporary needs. The affiliating system exists only in the Indian subcontinent. Elsewhere, higher education institutions are autonomous, stand alone institutions. Historically, the affiliating system helped in fast expansion of higher education and keeping the per unit cost affordable. But affiliation does not promote creative ideas and innovations. We need maximum autonomy with accountability.
OPPORTUNITIES
India is emerging as an Asian Tiger with the fastest GDP growth amongst countries with a large economy. To sustain such growth, the central government has to spend more on higher education to create appropriate manpower. Indian scholars, in almost all disciplines, are known all over the world for their talent and professional commitment.
The common man at large sees an investment in higher education for their child as a wise investment. This is a good sign. People still value education. That is why people are ready to pay high fees in prestigious schools and colleges.
The RUSA Scheme provides funds to create a positive impact. National Skills Development Councils has provided a framework to integrate skills with the existing higher education delivery. It will enhance the relevance of higher education.
CHALLENGES
Governance of higher education, both at the government level and at the individual institution level, is not sound. We need a facilitating attitude at the centralised level and visionary leadership ready to take risks at the institutional level.
At present, there is more stress on ‘compliance’ rather than on innovation’.
To achieve the goal of 30% gross enrollment ratio by the year 2020, we need to promote ‘Technology Enabled Learning’ in a big way. Open distance learning will play a key role. Linkages have to be established between tertiary education with primary and secondary education. The judicious use of our strengths will help meet the targets.