Strengthening Higher Education in India: A way towards knowledge society
Improving the quality and access to higher education is India is imperative to drive India towards a knowledge society. When it comes to higher education there is unanimous view that improvement in higher education will yield socio-economic benefits. However, it is crucial to provide all the deserving students access to higher education without compromising with the quality.
If India wants to see itself as a nation that encourages higher education it has to provide better access and affordability to the inhabitants. Second, it should also improve the infrastructure and quality to attract students of different states as this will encourage cross-cultural amalgamation.
The students who opt for higher education are products of the undergraduate colleges and schools. Unfortunately the conditions of these institutes are not very encouraging. National Knowledge Commission has also suggested improvement of the school education and undergraduate institutes to improve higher education. Higher education must not be seen as a separate entity.
Unfortunately education sector has failed to attract the best brains of the society. In India improving scope of research, improving infrastructure for research will definitely attract sharp brains to choose teaching as a career. The increasing cost of education could distract bright student from higher studies. There is a dire need to promote the financial/loan facilities available for needy students for pursuing higher education. Lack of awareness on govt. loans and schemes also may distract students for higher education. Creating awareness about existing govt. support is essential. Government could explore the possibilities of assigning small projects/assignment to student on regular basis and the students could be paid as per their work. Removing gender inequality and economic disparity are basic necessities to expand the availability of higher education for all. This will also help to achieve inclusive growth. No doubt, there are many alternative affirmative actions other than reservations still unexplored.
When it comes to quality and infrastructure development, it is a challenge to maintain quality while expanding the horizons of higher educations. It is good that the private players are coming up with institute with good infrastructure. But at the same time government needs to ensure that the state institutes matches with them in quality. Competition among institutes will help to improve quality on a continuous basis. The performance of institute (both govt and private) could be monitored by an independent board. The entry barrier to higher education could be lowered for private players to encourage them to set up institute and spend on education. At the same time intense commercialization is to be discouraged. This is possible by emphasizing on quality of education during audit. Once the focus moves on quality, sheer commercialization will get marginalized.
Peer evaluation of faculties, evaluation of faculties by students, promoting teaching-cum-research etc. will be instrumental to build a vibrant educational system.
Improving the quality and access to higher education is India is imperative to drive India towards a knowledge society. When it comes to higher education there is unanimous view that improvement in higher education will yield socio-economic benefits. However, it is crucial to provide all the deserving students access to higher education without compromising with the quality.
If India wants to see itself as a nation that encourages higher education it has to provide better access and affordability to the inhabitants. Second, it should also improve the infrastructure and quality to attract students of different states as this will encourage cross-cultural amalgamation.
The students who opt for higher education are products of the undergraduate colleges and schools. Unfortunately the conditions of these institutes are not very encouraging. National Knowledge Commission has also suggested improvement of the school education and undergraduate institutes to improve higher education. Higher education must not be seen as a separate entity.
Unfortunately education sector has failed to attract the best brains of the society. In India improving scope of research, improving infrastructure for research will definitely attract sharp brains to choose teaching as a career. The increasing cost of education could distract bright student from higher studies. There is a dire need to promote the financial/loan facilities available for needy students for pursuing higher education. Lack of awareness on govt. loans and schemes also may distract students for higher education. Creating awareness about existing govt. support is essential. Government could explore the possibilities of assigning small projects/assignment to student on regular basis and the students could be paid as per their work. Removing gender inequality and economic disparity are basic necessities to expand the availability of higher education for all. This will also help to achieve inclusive growth. No doubt, there are many alternative affirmative actions other than reservations still unexplored.
When it comes to quality and infrastructure development, it is a challenge to maintain quality while expanding the horizons of higher educations. It is good that the private players are coming up with institute with good infrastructure. But at the same time government needs to ensure that the state institutes matches with them in quality. Competition among institutes will help to improve quality on a continuous basis. The performance of institute (both govt and private) could be monitored by an independent board. The entry barrier to higher education could be lowered for private players to encourage them to set up institute and spend on education. At the same time intense commercialization is to be discouraged. This is possible by emphasizing on quality of education during audit. Once the focus moves on quality, sheer commercialization will get marginalized.
Peer evaluation of faculties, evaluation of faculties by students, promoting teaching-cum-research etc. will be instrumental to build a vibrant educational system.
No comments:
Post a Comment