Reforming Indian Higher Education System

India is witnessing a trend wherein the enrolment for the higher education is growing exponentially over the years. This trend is reiterated by the findings of the All India Survey on Higher Education.

Findings of All India Survey on Higher Education:

The findings of the All India Survey on Higher Education were released by the ministry of Human resource development. The following were the findings of the survey

• There has been an improvement in the gross enrollment ratio (GER) from 19.4 per cent in 2010-11 to 25.2 per cent in 2016-17. GER is defined as the ratio of enrolment in higher education to population in the eligible age group (18-23) years
• The increase in the GER of Muslim and other minority communities is at a slower phase. GER for minorities has increased from 4.15 per cent in 2012-13 to 4.90 per cent in 2016-17.
• Tamil Nadu has the highest GER in the country at 46.9 per cent and Bihar is at the bottom with 14.9 per cent.
• Gender Parity Index (GPI) which is the ratio of proportional representation of female and male has improved from 0.86 to 0.94 between 2010-11 and 2016-17.

Reforming Indian higher Education System:

The findings of the All India Survey on Higher Education have been a welcome sign for India which aims to encash its human capital and reap the benefits of demographic dividend. To effectively reap the benefits of demographic dividend, India needs to plug the loopholes in the higher education system.

Often the discussions about reforming the Higher education system revolve around governance and autonomy. Seldom has been the attention towards content of higher education in India. Immediately after independence a commission under Dr. S. Radhakrishnan was formed to report on Indian University Education. The commission was asked to suggest improvements  to suit present and future requirements of the country The Radhakrishnan commission report on Indian University Education is still relevant in reforming the content of Indian higher education system.

Radhakrishnan Commission Recommendations:

• The commission recommended a well-balanced education with ‘general’, ‘liberal’ and ‘occupational’ components. This well balanced approach would mould the students to play roles expected of a citizen outside one’s immediate professional sphere.
• The report advocated the need for general education and specialised/professional education to proceed together.
• The study of languages should be given equal importance as one communicates to the outside world through the medium of language or else the lack of communication skills could become a handicap.
• The commission’s report emphasised on the need to integrate Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine and humanities in university teaching so that the students are well equipped with dealing in the problems of real-life setting which are interdisciplinary in nature.

Current Scenario:

Several engineering, science education and research institutes have embedded general education programmes at the undergraduate level. Similar initiatives are missing from most university-affiliated science colleges.

Large number of institutions in India caters to a single stream which precludes the possibility of even an informal interaction between students and faculty with different specialisations. The need of hour is to integrate classical disciplines with enough room for general education as enshrined by the Radhakrishnan commission.