New Institutes of higher education are being founded every other day in India. And there is a long queue of those waiting to be established. Educational institutes offering a degree or diploma in varied subjects are open for students to apply to. In spite of this, the percentage of Indian students opting for higher education is far less as a huge number is shying away from enrolling. What is it that keeps students away from higher education in India? The inherent reason is our social, political and economic framework.
The number of private colleges in India exceeds government funded institutes by a significant margin. The government is busy opening primary schools all over the country, but very less for higher studies. The investment is considerable and there are many other factors that contribute to setting up an institute. This is where government aid becomes essential. But in India, government grants and support in most cases is not satisfactory. Thus many dedicated institutes fail to put their plans to action. Because of lack of funding, the private institutes usually charge a fee that cannot be afforded by the majority.
High fee is therefore a deterrent to higher education. Students are offered free education at the primary level by the government, but such facility is not available at the next stage. Not many in our poor country, who cannot even afford a meal, can enrol into an institute. The number of scholarships is negligible. And in most cases they fail to reach the deserving, needy and poorest but most ambitious of the lot. We often come across stories of youngsters who fare very well in their board exams, but then drop out. They are willing, ambitious and the best, but lack of funds and government support, makes their future bleak and they are forced into leading a dark life.
Moreover the loan facility in our country does not aid the ones in need, but seeks to suck life out of them who dare to borrow. For someone who does not have enough to support the family, the high interest rate and the extraction method of the lender, only dissuades him from borrowing.
Deserving students are not rewarded promisingly in our country. An incentive is a candy that promotes endeavour. Lack of incentive minimises effort. An educational system that is willing to grant substantial benefit to its student, draws more into its orbit. But unfortunately, Indian institutes, be it public or private, have failed to take into consideration this one motivating factor that can lead to a surge in the student enrollment.
A determinant factor that has not allowed higher education to succeed in our country is the non guarantee of jobs. There is no certainty that a higher educational qualification will get one an instant job. For someone who manages to complete higher education under great stress and resource exploitation, hunting for a job becomes a burden. People crumble under this pressure especially those who have the responsibility of a household on them. And the government in most cases is a mute spectator to these needs of the weaker section of the society.
Pointing out flaws that affect higher education is an endless job and the list can go on. It is sad how little we – as individuals and the administration, do to utilise the facilities available. It is not for the privileged among us to enjoy all that is offered. A significant chunk of the population is deprived, and a small gesture or action can better their prospects of a prosperous future. We are not considerate, and we are too self centred. There is a need to wake up to the demands of a developing nation. And education is one factor that will aid in our becoming a developed country. It is our responsibility to further this need. It is a long process that cannot be realised in a day, but the effort has to begin today.
