India has been a centre of education since antiquity. Ancient Universities like Nalanda and Vikramshila had worldwide reputation and attracted students from all over the world. Since then the education system in our country has experienced many changes. The present education system is a British legacy. The Charter Act of 1813 was the first milestone in this regard. For the very first time, the Imperial Government showed some concern towards Indian education.
The Act made a compulsory allocation of Rs.1 Lakh annually for the development of Indian education system. But it was the despatch of Sir Charles Wood in the year 1854 which should be remembered as the most fateful event in the history of Indian education system. It is also called as the “Magna Carta” of Indian education as it laid the foundation of our present three tier education i.e. the primary, secondary and graduation. It also emphasized on female education, technical education and other important aspects. Meanwhile we can not ignore the role played by Indian evangelists like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Vidyasagar, Sir Sayid Ahmad Khan and others who devoted their whole lives to break the shackles of oriental studies and paved the way for rational thinking among Indians.
Since our independence, education has been penetrating deeper and deeper into our society. Thanks to the growing population of Indian middle class which has fuelled this growth. The literacy rate which was paltry (15.5 per cent) on the eve of independence has now reached around 65 per cent (as per the 2001 census). The Indian Government has been timely introducing various policies to fillip this growth.
Now they have decided to enact the Foreign Education Institution Bill 2010 which has already been greeted with many raised eyebrows. This Bill seeks to permit foreign universities into India’s higher education system.
The Ministry of HRD is very enthusiastic regarding this move as they claim to bring down the huge annual Forex (Foreign Exchange) outflow by enacting this Bill. According to a report published by ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industries of India), every year India lose around $10 billion due to the Indian students going abroad for pursuing higher studies. The Ministry of HRD claims to reduce this amount by 75 per cent. This is highly questionable if we analyze the actual reasons behind the movement of Indian students to abroad.
Despite the availability of 'quality subsidized' engineering and management education in India, yearly about 5 lakh students go abroad. One of the main reasons behind this migration is the high quality of the post graduate and doctoral degree programs offered by foreign universities. In addition, the students’ crave for foreign exposure which can be a spring board for global careers is the major reason. Hence, the advent of foreign universities in our country can hardly make any significant difference to check the migration of Indian students in going abroad.
On the other hand, the influx of foreign players in the education system of our country can pose serious challenges to the Indian universities. According to the content of the Bill, the foreign universities need to hire Indian facultiy members in greater extent in comparison to foreigners. Looking at the monetary backup of these universities, it should be crystal clear that they can offer huge amount to attract the most qualified and experienced Indian faculty members. Thus unable to withstand this unfair competition, the Indian universities can face an absolute scarcity of good faculty. The Bill also mentions that Indian Government will keep a “Hawk Eye” on the activities of the foreign universities to monitor their teaching standards. But surely it will not be that easy to check the adulteration of Indian education standards.
The Bill also says that the foreign universities will charge tuition fees according to the existing standards and they would not be allowed to send the profits to their own country but need to invest that amount on the university itself. How can we deny the fact that today like every other service education has also become a money machine? This is no more a hidden fact that due to the financial tsunami, the US Department of Education has slashed funds at all levels- schools, community colleges and universities. The rising tuition fees have decreased the number of local enrolments in many average American universities and they are eagerly searching for markets outside to increase their enrolments. Undoubtedly these universities would have their monetary motive prior to any other. No doubt in this scenario the quality of education will be at stake.
In a recent report on worldwide universities, none of the Indian universities could make a place in the top 50 universities in the world whereas many universities of our Asian neighbors like Shangai University, Tokyo University and others were among the top. It seems that our Government has also accepted this fact that our education system lacks the necessary edge at international level and that is why instead of looking into the causes it’s trying to greet foreign universities on its soil.
In a recent report on worldwide universities, none of the Indian universities could make a place in the top 50 universities in the world whereas many universities of our Asian neighbors like Shangai University, Tokyo University and others were among the top. It seems that our Government has also accepted this fact that our education system lacks the necessary edge at international level and that is why instead of looking into the causes it’s trying to greet foreign universities on its soil.
The Indian Government should release the Indian universities from the administrative shackles. They need more autonomy to function and administer their resource properly. It’s high time to increase the public spending on education with a special focus on higher education. The long awaited 4 per cent of GDP allocation for Education should be crossed now. Our Government can try this (Foreign University Bill) or any other innovation but in the land of Aryabhatta, Jagdish Chandra Bose and other highly intellectual personalities the quality of education should never be compromised.
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Deepak Pal has finally come out of hibernation; but with a bang and with a 'bag' of debatable arguments.
The author's basic assumption in this article needs an appraisal, I guess.
ReplyDeleteHe says that if foreign universities flock into the land of JC Bose et al, 'good faculty' members shall jump on the bandwagon.
Indubitably, some would do; not for pecuniary benefits but for 'phoren status' since no foreign univ. shall be dimwit enough I presume, to offer exorbitant salaries in an Indian ambience.
Now, from where would the 'good' come? From the public sector or from the private sector?
As per the author's own arguments, the private sector in India provides 'sub-standard' education. So, the only place that remains is the 'public sector'.
I am veritably afraid that the scenario is not at all very encouraging in that 'public' domain.
Politicisation of education has infused educated 'harlots' into the 'sacrosanct' sector. At least, in the private domain, one does not need to have a 'party' tag to 'bag' a 'job'.
I might sound like a disgruntled academician; so be it. Disgruntlement in a society ruled by ludicrous personalities and their whimsical 'rules' is a natural fallout; and not a signature of psychosomatic disorder.
If we are on a divesting spree in the public sector industries, that is ought to be a pointer toward the status of the sector at large.
What we need to appreciate is that any system or for that matter any sector, has 'good' as well as the 'bad'; however, the proportion might vary.
regards
Uddipan Mukherjee
Forex and "Phoren" apart, a sincere effort should be made by GOI to improve the infrastructure of existing universities.
ReplyDeleteThis should be backed up by proactiveness in opening avenues for candidates pursuing higher studies."Brain Drain" cannot be completely stopped but an attempt should be made to reduce the pace. Thus, allocation to education [ as a % of GDP ] should be increased for sure.
Much care should be taken while the actual implementation of the bill so that students are not duped by the new universities - this includes transparency in the accredition mechanism.
About article: Well presented,Nice chain of thought although it focussed on the other side of the road
ReplyDeleteAbout the Issue: i feel Foreign university bill..would create the same effect as the incoming of MNC in India industry scenario, Though negative but majorly positive and a turning point for recognising Education as Industry, which is very good, Why?
Firstly, It would provide the much needed dignity, status and renumeration hike for teachers. As all of us realise the importance of teacher..This would be encouraging for both teachers as profession and as passion to deliver.
Secondly, It would stop the mushrooming of small Engg n mgmt Institute as competition would automatically wear them out of survival. so only recognised Institute would able to sustain. Increasing qulality of studies n Education.
Thirdly, The flaw of our education system at higher level is absense of industry-university linkage, there is a sense of feeling that the foreign entrant would develop the trend making it a mandatory criteria.
Fourthly, Education rate would likely decrease following the pure economics principle of competition.
Fifthly, Our university and their decline is due to absense of support for true research and its adoption.With foreign univ, this area would get the maximum boost.
Sixthly, Going abroad for study is not compulsion, its choice..and choices are made when options are provided.. the foreign univ would surely become a option to be considered.
It has been seen , countries like Singapore, dubai -- where Indian Mgmt college run as foreign university are successful. So to allow foreign univ to operate in India should be allowed.........Purely my views...