Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context
According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the unemployment rate for graduates in India is higher compared to numerous other developing countries, potentially due to a mismatch between their skills and the country’s job requirements.
Introduction
India boasts the third-largest higher education system in the world in terms of student population, trailing only China and the United States. Since gaining independence, there has been a remarkable surge in the number of universities, university-level institutions, and colleges within India’s higher education sector.
Current State of Indian Higher Education
- The current state of higher education in India presents both opportunities and challenges.
- The Central government of India funds public universities to improve facilities and accessibility for students from all financial backgrounds.
- India’s higher education system is rapidly growing, with numerous universities and colleges offering a wide range of programs. This provides students with many opportunities to pursue higher education and gain the skills needed for the global economy.
- However, the Indian higher education system faces several challenges, including a shortage of quality faculty, inadequate funding for research and development, and constraints in infrastructure and resources.
- In recent years, the Indian government has taken steps to address these challenges, such as increasing funding for research and development, promoting the establishment of new higher education institutions, and implementing various reforms through the UGC to improve the quality and accountability of higher education.
- Despite these efforts, the quality of higher education in India remains a concern, indicating that more work is needed to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education experience.
Issues with employment in India
- Impact of Intense Lockdown: Students who enrolled in college during the pandemic have now graduated, raising concerns over their employability and the quality of online education.
- Learning Loss: Students faced challenges in online learning, struggling to concentrate for long hours on screen. This resulted in learning deficiencies, affecting their employability.
- Structural Issues: The rapid expansion of private higher education institutions has led to a decline in quality and regulation.
- Lack of Regulation: State governments, the Central government, and the University Grants Commission lacked the capacity to regulate the growing private institutions.
- Traditional Agriculture: In India, agriculture is still not mechanised and does not use advanced technologies, making it unattractive for graduates with higher education degrees.
- Lack of Opportunities: Some graduates take up low skill jobs in the service sector due to limited opportunities in the economy.
- Low R&D Expenditure: India spends only 0.7% of its GDP on research and development, compared to 4% in Korea, hampering the creation of new knowledge and innovation.
- Public-Private Imbalance: R&D expenditure from the private sector is comparatively less than the public sector, limiting the growth of private sector jobs in research and collaboration between industry and academia.
- Limited Scope for Research: Universities lack research facilities as most research is done in public research institutions, reducing the quality and relevance of research.
- Lack of Industrial Policy: India lacks a clear industrial policy or manufacturing strategy to guide its economic development, leading to a loss of value from research.
- Low Female Labour Force Participation: Despite achieving gender parity in higher education, India struggles with converting this into job opportunities due to unemployment.
Concerns with the examination system in India
- Rote Learning: Students are evaluated based on memory, and achieving a high pass percentage is a key objective of the education administration.
- Decentralised Assessment: India has diverse modes of assessment guided by secrecy and standardisation, leading to potential scandals and other issues.
- Inconsistency: Question papers often contain errors, irrelevant content, and low standards. The evaluation process can also be unfair and inaccurate, failing to reflect students’ learning outcomes.
- Mismatch between Skills and Certification: Examination boards do not test or certify students on the higher-order skills required for employability.
- Alternative Assessment: Employers often disregard institutional certification and use their own methods of assessing candidates, leading to a demand for coaching for competitive exams.
- New Education Policy 2020: The policy recommended a common admission basis for students but was contradicted by the introduction of the Central University Entrance Test and the concept of ‘one nation, one examination’.
- Poor Fiscal Support: India aims to increase the gross enrolment ratio to 50% from 27% by 2035, but the necessary funding to achieve this target has not been allocated.
Recommendations for Improving Higher Education in India
- Enhancing Government Funding The government should increase funding for education, especially higher education, to ensure universities have the necessary resources to deliver high-quality education.
- Elevating Teacher Quality The government should enhance the quality of teachers by providing training and support. This could involve offering professional development opportunities and financial incentives.
- Fostering Research and Innovation The government should foster research and innovation in higher education by funding research projects and promoting collaboration among universities, researchers, and private sector companies.
- Expanding Access to Education The government should expand access to quality education for all students by providing financial aid, scholarships, and other forms of support, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds.
- Ensuring Accountability and Transparency The government should ensure accountability and transparency in university operations.
Way forward
- Enhanced Funding and Collaboration Universities require increased funding, and industries should partner with them to stimulate research and innovation.
- Vocational Training for School Students Students in Class 10 and Class 12 could be guided towards vocational training, fostering inclusiveness and equity.
- Need for Industrial Policy and Manufacturing Strategy India should establish a dedicated industrial policy and manufacturing strategy to steer its economic development.
- Involvement of Professional Bodies and Use of Technology Professional bodies should participate in curriculum design, and technology should be utilized to standardize and enhance assessment.
- External Audit of Assessment Systems An external audit of assessment systems in universities and school boards is crucial, and a credible examination system is one of the key methods to enhance the standard of education.
Conclusion
The introduction of foreign universities in India carries both benefits and drawbacks. It could usher in innovative teaching methods, cutting-edge technology, and research prospects, contributing to an overall enhancement of India’s higher education quality. The ultimate goal should be to establish a vibrant and inclusive educational system that serves the interests of students, institutions, and society at large.
Source: The Hindu
Practice Question
Critically examine the challenges plaguing the higher education system in India. Propose viable solutions to enhance its effectiveness and inclusivity. [250 words]