The rot in India’s higher education system

The Hindu: Page 09

Syllabus: GS 02 – Social Justice

Practice Question for Mains

What are the limitations of the current regulatory framework in promoting research and innovation in Indian higher education institutions? Suggest measures to create a more research-friendly regulatory environment.

Context: The introduction of the NTA-run CUET in 2022-23 caused widespread delays in university admissions, including at JNU, despite its historical autonomy in conducting entrance exams.

•  Controversies arose over the shift from traditional methods, highlighting tensions between standardized testing mandates and university governance autonomy.
  

Challenges with CUET and University Autonomy

• The introduction of NTA-run CUET in 2022-23 delayed admissions, including PhD programs, disrupting academic calendars.
• JNU, known for its autonomy in entrance exams, faced pressure from NTA directives, leading to an eight-month delay in PhD admissions.
• Despite UGC Regulations, 2022 allowing universities to conduct their own exams, some, including JNU, continued using NTA due to executive decisions.

Controversies and Transparency Issues

• Conflicting stances from the Ministry of Education and UGC on NTA’s role led to confusion.
• There was no documented agreement between JNU and NTA, raising questions about the decision-making process.
• NTA’s control over academic calendars disrupted traditional admission timelines, raising concerns about university autonomy.

India’s Higher Education System (Based on AISHE 2021-22 Report)

Student Enrolment Trends:

• Total Enrolment: As of 2021-22, 4.33 crore students are enrolled in higher education institutions, reflecting a notable increase from 4.14 crore in 2020-21 and 3.42 crore in 2014-15.
• Women’s Enrolment: Female enrolment has seen substantial growth, reaching 2.07 crore in 2021-22, a 32% rise from 1.5 crore in 2014-15.
• Postgraduate Representation: Women make up 55.4% of enrolment at the postgraduate level, showcasing strong gender representation at this stage.

Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and Gender Parity Index (GPI):

• GER for 18-23 Age Group: India’s GER stands at 28.4%, indicating the proportion of eligible students pursuing higher education.
• GPI for Gender Parity: The GPI at the national level is 1.01, reflecting near parity between male and female enrolment rates.

Discipline-wise Enrolment:

• Undergraduate Level: The most popular program is the Bachelor of Arts (BA), attracting 34.2% of students, followed by science (14.8%), commerce (13.3%), and engineering and technology (11.8%).
• Postgraduate Level: The social sciences dominate, with 10.8 lakh students enrolled.
• PhD Level: Engineering leads in PhD enrolment, followed closely by science and social sciences.

Dominance of Government Institutions:

• Student Share in Government Institutions: Government institutions are the primary choice for higher education, with 73.7% of students enrolled, even though these institutions account for only 58.6% of all universities.
• State Public Universities: These universities hold the largest share of student enrolment among government-run institutions, with about 31% of total enrolment.

Issues in India’s Higher Education Sector

Neglect of Research & Scholarship: Expansion of higher education for access has overshadowed focus on research and academic excellence.

Funding Disparities

• Central government prioritizes premier institutions, with state institutions receiving inadequate support since the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.
• Declining investment from State governments as education is a low priority.
• Direct UGC funding bypassing state governments fosters alienation.
• The demand to raise education spending to 6% of GDP remains unmet.

Low Enrolment Rates

• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education stands at 24.5%.
• Only 1.7% of colleges offer PhD programs, and 33% offer postgraduate courses.
• Research output and international collaborations remain weak.

Regulatory Challenges

• UGC and AICTE act as controllers rather than facilitators, with limited capacity to regulate diverse institutions.
• Over-regulation and licensing powers have hindered institutional autonomy and promoted corruption.
• The framework is based on mistrust, restricting universities from independent functioning.

Autonomy Issues

• Academic freedom, including admissions, syllabus, and faculty recruitment, is controlled by affiliating universities and state governments.
• Political interference in the appointment of vice-chancellors undermines institutional integrity.
• Faculty shortages and recruitment freezes weaken academic quality.

Problems with Ranking Systems

• NAAC’s inspectorial approach lacks reliability.
• NIRF emerged due to poor global rankings, yet domestic rankings fail to address global challenges.

Commercialization of Education

• Increasing commercialization of higher education leaves graduates unprepared for job market demands, as education does not align with industry needs.

Government Initiatives

1. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• Objective: NEP 2020 aims to revolutionize the education system by promoting multidisciplinary learning, enhancing skill development, and fostering research and innovation in higher education.
• Key Focus:
• GER Target: It seeks to raise the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035.
• Flexibility in Learning: Encourages flexible learning through the integration of creative subject combinations.
• Skill-Based Education: Focuses on equipping students with skills that improve employability and help them adapt to changing job markets.
• Multidisciplinary Institutions: Promotes the creation of institutions that offer a wide range of subjects, fostering holistic education.

2. Institutions of Eminence (IoE) Scheme

• Launch: Initiated in 2018 by the Ministry of Education.
• Objective: The scheme aims to recognize and empower 20 institutions (10 public and 10 private) by granting them complete autonomy to develop into world-class universities.
• Autonomy: These institutions are granted freedom in academic, administrative, and financial aspects, enabling them to innovate and achieve global standards.

3. National Credit Framework (NCrF)

• Purpose: Designed to integrate training and skill development into both school and higher education systems.
• Key Feature:
• Academic Bank of Credits (ABC): Allows students to accumulate credits from various courses, which are stored digitally and can be accessed through a Digilocker-linked account. This system ensures that skills acquired through non-traditional pathways are recognized and credited.

4. Revamped Accreditation and Ranking Systems

• National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF): Launched in 2015, the NIRF ranks higher education institutions across different disciplines such as engineering, management, and law, providing a clear benchmark for academic quality.
• National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC): The NAAC has been modernized to continuously assess universities and colleges, ensuring that they maintain high academic standards and offer quality education.

5. Digital Initiatives in Higher Education

• SWAYAM: This platform offers free online courses that cover educational levels from school to post-graduation, expanding access to quality education, particularly in remote areas.
• National Digital Library of India: A digital repository providing access to a vast array of educational resources, including books, journals, and multimedia materials for students, educators, and researchers.

6. Study in India Program

• Objective: Launched in 2018, the program aims to attract international students to India by offering scholarships and simplifying the admission process for foreign students.
• Outcome: This initiative promotes India as a global hub for higher education, facilitating knowledge exchange and international collaboration.

7. Foreign Universities in India

• In 2023, the University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced regulations allowing top 500-ranked foreign universities to establish campuses in India.
• Goal: This move is aimed at enhancing the quality of education by bringing in international standards and fostering greater collaboration with global academic institutions.

Way Forward

1.Streamlining Regulation and Accreditation

• Simplifying the Regulatory Framework: Eliminate redundant regulations to create a unified and efficient system of governance.
• Broaden Accreditation Networks: Expand accreditation by recognizing a diversity of standards during the assessment process, promoting inclusivity and flexibility.

2.Expanding Access to Higher Education

• Support for Vulnerable Communities: Enhance opportunities for marginalized groups through scholarships, fee reimbursement programs, and other financial assistance.
• Reach to Underserved Areas: Use Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) to provide education to geographically underserved regions.

3.Financing Higher Education

• Innovative Fund Generation: Leverage research infrastructure by allowing industry access to sophisticated equipment, generating revenue while improving utilization.
• Financial Support for Institutions: Offer one-time grants to help fill faculty vacancies and fund infrastructure upgrades, strengthening the educational ecosystem.

4.Improving Pedagogical Practices and Assessments

• Curriculum Reform: Develop a National Higher Education Qualifications Framework and a Learning Outcome-based Curriculum Framework to ensure alignment with contemporary standards.
• Institutional Curriculum Reviews: Create mechanisms for regular curriculum updates and establish guidelines to ensure their effective implementation.

5.Fostering Research and Innovation

• Strengthening Research Networks: Encourage collaboration between local higher education institutions to build a robust research ecosystem.
• National Research Funding Body: Establish a central organization dedicated to advancing research excellence, fostering innovation, and developing research infrastructure.

6.Enhancing Skills, Employability, and Entrepreneurship

• Integration of Vocational Education: Introduce a formal vocational education track within colleges, with a credit system applicable to both vocational and non-vocational courses.
• Skill-Based Curriculum: Revise vocational education curricula to include credit-based skill courses that are aligned with industry needs.

7.Leveraging Technology for Learning

• Advancing EdTech: Establish Centers of Excellence in top institutions to support research in educational technology and provide incubation support for startups.
• AI-Driven Learning Platforms: Develop AI-based platforms offering personalized learning experiences, adaptive assessments, and real-time progress tracking for students.

8.Internationalization of Higher Education

• Global Academic Collaborations: Expand partnerships with international institutions for joint research, knowledge exchange, and academic collaboration.
• Cross-Border Education Programs: Promote the mobility of educational programs and facilitate the international delivery of higher education through collaborative initiatives.