Relevance:GS-2: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources;

Key Phrases: Operation Ganga; work permit programmes; United Nations Population prospects; gross enrolment ratio (GER); Interdisciplinary learning & research-oriented education;

Why in News?

• The recent Ukraine-Russian crisis created an unprecedented threat to students pursuing higher education in Ukraine
• Although the government carried out ‘Operation Ganga’ to safely rescue these students, their future remains uncertain.
• This calls for overhaul in Indian higher education.

Key Highlights

• Enrolling in a foreign university for higher education is a well-accepted path across India.
• Besides exposure, foreign universities provide high-quality education and often also job assurance, and importantly, it typically helps elevate the social as well as economic status of the family. This multitude of benefits makes foreign education attractive and lucrative in the long run.
• However, at times like the covid pandemic or the current war situation in Ukraine, students stand at a loss.
  • Two years earlier, India undertook one of its largest rescue operations from China after the onset of the covid pandemic. In both these situations, students had to suffer on educational, economic, mental health and physical fronts.
  • The abrupt discontinuation of foreign education takes a severe toll on students. But we must ponder why students in such large numbers prefer to go abroad for education.

Inadequate education facilities in India:

• As per United Nations Population prospects
  • India is home to the largest number of young adults (aged 18 to 23) worldwide.
  • Our education system simply does not have the capacity to cater to this demand.

Advantages of studying in foreign countries:

• Price-sensitive education - Ukraine, Russia, China, the Philippines and Mauritius offer medical education in the range of ₹25-50 lakh.
• Latest equipment and technologies are available to them at these institutes

As a result, many Indian students opt for economical and quality education elsewhere rather than here.

Quality of education and professional exposure

• There are a limited number of colleges providing quality education in India. In comparison, foreign nations with smaller populations and a variety of education options allow these students to pursue their dream academic credentials overseas.
• Inter-disciplinary environment ensures cross learning.
  • They usually have a special focus on in-depth research.
  • They also tend to provide scholarships, on-campus jobs and work-permit opportunities that attract Indian students.
  • The success of work permit programmes available to international students and graduates is also one of the main drivers that contribute to the rise of Indian students studying overseas.
  • Degrees offered by foreign universities are recognized across the world, thus students can exercise their freedom to choose a workplace.
• In short, quality education, global exposure, job availability and quality of life after education are key factors that drive Indian students to go abroad.

As per a recent report in Rajya Sabha,

• Over 1.1 million Indian students study in 99 countries across the world.
• These students cumulatively spend more than ₹2 trillion (approximately $30 billion) overseas for their education.
• For fiscal year 2022-23, India’s budget for higher education is estimated at ₹1.04 trillion.
  • This is monetary loss
  • And additionally the talented human resources leave the country.
• India’s gross enrolment ratio (GER) for higher education is just above 27%, which means only 27 students of every 100 who complete high school enrol themselves for degree-level education.
  • The National Education Policy 2020 envisages achieving a GER of 50% by 2030.

Way Forward

Proactive steps are required

1. Increase the supply of Education.
   • This includes both public and private institutions.
   • Promote and incentivize private entities to set up educational institutions.
   • This would require the education expenditure to touch 6% of GDP which is in line with the recommendation of NEP 2020, Kothari commission.
2. Rationalising positive affirmation.
   • The government could consider introducing a ‘creamy layer’ criteria for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates.
   • It could also enforce the seat reservation-limit that was mandated by a Supreme Court ruling.
3. Standardising curriculum across universities.
   • Facilitate interdisciplinary learning and promote research-oriented education.
4. Work while you learn.
   • Starting scholarships and on-campus jobs such as those for research and teaching assistants, etc.
   • Affordable Educational Loans should be made available to increase the reach of students from disadvantaged communities.

Conclusion

• Plight of Indian students in a pandemic or war-like situation has underlined the need to re look at our higher education system.
• A good-quality education can lead to the creation of better human resources and will be an asset for the country over the long term. This would also prevent us from demographic disaster and help us to utilise demographic dividend.

Source: Live Mint

Mains Question:

Q. What are the challenges faced by the Higher Education System in India? Answer from the perspective of the plight of Indian students evacuated from Ukraine. Also suggest a suitable way forward.