Problems of Higher Education in India & Possible remedies
Introduction
The world has
realized that the economic success of the states is directly determined by
their education systems. Education is a Nation’s Strength. A developed nation
is inevitably an educated nation. India's higher education system is the
world's third-largest in terms of students, next to China and the United
States. India's Higher Education sector has witnessed a tremendous increase in
the number of Universities/University level Institutions & Colleges since
independence.
Problems of Higher
Education in India
After the 74
years of independence still our education system has not been developed fully.
We are not able to list a single university in top 100 universities of the
world. Various governments changed during these 7 decades. They tried to boost
the education system and implemented various education policies but they were
not sufficient to put an example for the universe. UGC is continuously working
and focusing on quality education in higher education sector. Still we are
facing lot of problems and challenges in our education system. Some of the
basic challenges in higher education system in India as follows:
1. Low Enrollment
2. Problem of Equity`
3. Lack of Quality Education
4. Poor global ranking
5. Lack of infrastructure
6. Lack of Faculties
7. Outdated Curriculum
8. Accreditation issues
9. Regulatory issues
10. Inadequate government funding
11. Political interference
12. Lack of Research and Innovation
13. Problem of management &
administration
14. Faulty admission policy
15. Poor placement and scholarship
facilities
16. Gender issues
17. Gap between demand of the industry
and supply
18. Gap between demand of the industry
and supply
19. Neglect of literature, classical
languages, history and philosophy
20. Not taking care of service sector
21. Growing privatization & Costly
private HE
22. Cramming based education system
1.
Low
Ø
The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of India in
higher education is only 25.2% which is quite low as compared to the developed
and other major developing countries. With the increase of enrollments at school
level, the supply of higher education institutes is insufficient to meet the
growing demand in the country.
2.
Problem of Equity
Ø
There is no equity in GER among different
sections of society. GER for males (26.3%), females (25.4%), SC (21.8%) and ST
(15.9%).
Ø
There are regional variations too. While some
states have high GER some are far behind the national figures.
Ø
The college density (number of colleges per lakh
eligible population) varies from 7 in Bihar to 59 in Telangana as compared to
All India average of 28.
Ø
Most of premier universities and colleges are
centred in a metropolitan and urban city, thereby leading to the regional
disparity in access to higher education.
3.
Lack of Quality Education
Ø
Higher Education in India is plagued with rot
learning, lack of employability and skill development due to the low quality of
education.
Ø
Quality in higher education is a
multi-dimensional, multilevel, and a dynamic concept. Ensuring quality in
higher education is amongst the foremost challenges being faced in India today.
However, Government is continuously focusing on the quality education. Still
Large number of colleges and universities in India are unable to meet the
minimum requirements laid down by the UGC and our universities are not in a
position to mark its place among the top universities of the world.
4.
Poor global ranking
Ø
Global ranking of higher educational institutes/
universities are poor. No single university of India come under top 100
universities list.
5.
Lack of Infrastructure
Ø
Poor infrastructure is another challenge to
higher education in India. Due to the budget deficit, corruption and lobbying
by the vested interest group (Education Mafias), public sector universities in
India lack the necessary infrastructure. Even the Private sector is not up to
the mark as per the global standard.
Ø
Poor infrastructure of the higher education
system of India particularly the institutes run by the public sector suffer
from poor physical facilities and infrastructure.
Ø
There are large numbers of colleges which are
functioning on second or third floor of the building on ground or first floor
there exists ready-made hosieries or photocopy shops.
6.
Lack of Faculties
Ø
Faculty shortages and the inability of the state
educational system to attract and retain well-qualified teachers have been
posing challenges to quality education for many years. Shortage of faculty
leads to Ad-hoc expansion even in the premier institutions.
Ø
Large numbers of NET / PhD candidates are
unemployed even there are lot of vacancies in higher education, these deserving
candidates are then applying in other departments which is a biggest blow to
the higher education system.
Ø
The Pupil-to-teacher ratio though has been
stable in the country (30:1), however, it needs to be improved to make it
comparable to USA (12.5:1), China (19.5:1) and Brazil (19:1).
7.
Outdated Curriculum
Ø
Outdated, irrelevant curriculum that is
dominantly theoretical in nature and has a low scope for creativity. There is a
wide gap between industry requirements and universities’ curriculum that is the
main reason for the low employ-ability of graduates in India.
8.
Accreditation issues
Ø
As per the data provided by the NAAC, as of 2019,
not even 25% of the total higher education institutions in the country were
accredited. And among those accredited, only 30% of the universities and 45% of
the colleges were found to be of quality to be ranked at 'A' level.
9.
Regulatory issues
Ø Management of the Indian education faces challenges of over-centralization, bureaucratic structures and lack of accountability, transparency, and professionalism. As a result of the increase in a number of affiliated colleges and students, the burden of administrative functions of universities has significantly increased and the core focus on academics and research is diluted.
10.
Inadequate government funding
Ø Higher education system in India is suffering from lack of government funding. Due to lack of funding on educational institutions the infrastructure is poor lack of faculties.
11.
Political interference
Ø
Most of the educational Institutions are owned
by the political leaders, who are playing key role in governing bodies of the
Universities. They are using the innocent students for their selfish means.
Students organised campaigns, forget their own objectives and begin to develop
their careers in politics.
12.
Lack of Research and Innovation
Ø
There are very nominal scholars in our country
whose writing is cited by famous western authors. There is inadequate focus on
research in higher education institutes. There are insufficient resources and
facilities, as well as, limited numbers of quality faculty to advice students.
Ø
Most of the researches scholars are without
fellowships or not getting their fellowships on time which directly or
indirectly affects their research. Moreover, Indian Higher education
institutions are poorly connected to research centres. So, this is another area
of challenge to the higher education in India.
13.
Problem of management & administration
Ø Management of the Indian education faces challenges of over centralisation, bureaucratic structures and lack of accountability, transparency, and professionalism. As a result of increase in number of affiliated colleges and students, the burden of administrative functions of universities has significantly increased and the core focus on academics and research is diluted.
14.
Gap
between demand of the industry and supply
Ø
India
has a very
low rate of enrollment in
higher education (18%) as
compared China (26%) and
36% in Brazil.
There is huge demand-supply gap. By
2020, the Indian government aims
to achieve 30% gross
enrollment in higher
education, which mean providing 40
million university places with
an increase of
14 million in
six years but it was not
achieved.
Possible Remedies
There are
some suggestions and
Expectations from Government,
Industry, Educational Institutions, Parents
and Students for
improving quality of
higher education.
The following
are suggestions and possible remedies of the challenges faced by higher
education
·
There
is a need
to implement innovative
and transformation approach
form primary to
higher education level
to make Indian
educational system globally
more relevant and
competitive.
·
Higher educational institutes need to improve
quality and reputation.
·
There
should be a
good infrastructure of
colleges and universities
which may attract
the students.
·
Government
must promote collaboration
between Indian higher
education institutes and
top International institutes
and also generates
linkage between national
research laboratories and research
centres of top
institutions for better
quality and collaborative
research.
·
There
is a need
to focus on
the graduate students
by providing them
such courses in
which they can
achieve excellence, gain
deeper knowledge of subject so
that they will
get jobs after
recruitment in the
companies which would
reduce unnecessary rush
to the higher
education.
·
Universities
and colleges in
both public private
must be away
from the political
affiliations.
·
Favoritism,
money making process
should be out
of education system
etc.
·
There
should be a
multidisciplinary approach in
higher education so
that students knowledge
may not be
restricted only up to
his own subjects.
The following are the possible remedies
1.
More government spending
2.
Adoption of technology
3.
Inclusive education system
4.
Teachers training
5.
Focussing on quality
6.
Adopting PPP model
7.
Change in education policy
8.
Selective admission policy
9.
Making placement offices in universities more
active
10.
Estimating
the requirement of the country in next 10 years and accordingly starting
various courses
11.
Focusing
more on ODL System
12.
Collaborating
with industries
Conclusions
Higher education in India has
expanded very rapidly in the last six decades after independence yet it is not
equally accessible to all. A large section of the population remains illiterate
and a large number of children’s do not get even primary education. This is not
only excluded a large section of the population from contributing to the
development of the country fully but it has also prevented them from utilizing
the benefits of whatever development have taken place for the benefit of the
people. India is facing various challenges in higher education but to tackle
these challenges and to boost higher education is most important. There is a need to implement innovative and transformation
approach form primary to higher education level to make Indian educational
system globally more relevant and competitive. Higher educational institutes
need to improve quality and reputation. There should be a good infrastructure
of colleges and universities which may attract the students. Government must
promote collaboration between Indian higher education institutes and top
International institutes and also generates linkage between national research
laboratories and research centers of top institutions for better quality and
collaborative research.