Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context
Reaping India’s demographic dividend depends on how the vast pool of social science students is tapped.
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 12th June 2024
The social sciences, a shelter for the ‘excluded’ student
The transition to higher education plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s human capital, which is essential for economic growth and realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. However, this process is marred by a mismatch between the demand and supply of educational opportunities, leading to various forms of exclusion and impacting the overall quality of human capital.
Exclusion in Higher Education Transition
- Demand-Supply Mismatch: There’s a mismatch between student aspirations and available courses and seats.
- Course availability is influenced by market forces in private institutions and government policies in public institutions.
- Types of Exclusions:
- Competition-Based Exclusion: Premier institutions have rigorous filtering mechanisms, leading to intense competition and exclusion.
- Financial Exclusion: High fees in private institutions and reduced government funding in public institutions lead to financial exclusion.
- Subject and Course-Based Exclusion: Course availability is concentrated in specific regions, with other regions offering outdated and generic courses.
Data Point – Enrollment Trends
According to the 2021-22 All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE):
- Growth Rates:
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4.1% growth from 2017-18 to 2021-22.
- Postgraduate Enrollment: 5.9% growth in the same period.
- BA and MA Programs:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): 15% increase in enrollment from 2017-18; 51% of total BA, BSc, and BCom enrollments in regular mode and 75% in distance mode.
- Master of Arts (MA): 26.5% increase from 2017-18 to 2021-22; 12% in regular mode and 42% in distance mode.
The larger share and a lower transition indicates that BA programmes are turning out to be a generic pool, accommodating a large number of students who are excluded for a variety of reasons.
Preferences within Social Sciences
- Empirical Orientation: Rising popularity for courses with empirical orientation due to perceived higher employability
- E.g. Students prefer economics over anthropology or sociology.
- Policy Intervention Skills: Increased emphasis on developing problem-solving skills akin to engineering disciplines
- Demand in Private Universities: High demand for traditionally less preferred courses (e.g., anthropology, sociology) in private universities that cater affluent students.
Way Ahead
- Balanced Resource Allocation:
- Equitable Distribution: Ensure that resources are evenly distributed across various disciplines and regions to avoid disparities. This involves increasing funding for underserved areas and less popular courses to make higher education more accessible.
- Addressing Financial Constraints: Implement policies to reduce financial barriers, such as scholarships, financial aid, and fee regulations in private institutions, to make education affordable for all.
- Curriculum and Teaching Improvement:
- Revamping Curriculum: Update course content to include contemporary topics and essential skills relevant to today’s job market. This helps students stay current and competitive.
- Teacher Training: Invest in comprehensive teacher training programs to enhance the quality of instruction. Well-trained teachers can better equip students with the knowledge and skills they need.
- Enhancing Employability:
- Market Alignment: Align higher education courses with industry demands by incorporating practical and empirical skills training. This ensures graduates are job-ready and can meet market expectations.
- Skill Development: Include modules that focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and other essential skills that increase employability across various sectors.
- Addressing Regional Disparities:
- Establishing Institutions: Set up more educational institutions and diverse course offerings in regions that currently have limited access. This helps bridge the gap between different areas and ensures a more inclusive education system.
- Promoting Inclusivity: Encourage regional inclusivity by implementing policies that attract students from various regions, providing them with opportunities to pursue higher education without needing to relocate.
- Public and Private Collaboration:
- Resource Sharing: Foster collaborations between public and private institutions to share resources, expertise, and best practices. This can enhance the overall quality of education and provide students with better learning experiences.
- Research and Development: Promote joint research initiatives and development projects between public and private entities to drive innovation and progress in higher education.
Conclusion
Addressing the challenges in the transition to higher education is crucial for harnessing India’s demographic dividend. A comprehensive approach involving quality enhancement, equitable distribution of resources, and inclusive policies can ensure that the youth, particularly those studying social sciences, are well-prepared to contribute to the nation’s growth and development in the era of rapid technological advancements.
Related PYQ
The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss. [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2015]
Practice Question
Discuss the impact of demand-supply mismatches in higher education on India’s human capital and suggest measures to address these challenges, particularly in the context of social sciences. [150 words]