In India there is currently a shortfall of roughly 1500 universities given the population boom among the 15-25 age group. Former Union Minister for Human Resources Development (HRD), Kapil Sibal had said that 800 to 1000 new universities would be needed within the next ten years if the number of students going on to higher education is to rise from its present 12 per cent to 30 per cent. At present there are only around 430 universities. Their absorption capacity is limited and entrance stiff. Hence the aspiration of many students for higher education is thwarted. In this scenario, private universities need to fill the gap. India spends around Rs 27,000 crore every year ($5.9 billion) on its students abroad. This is a humungous amount that could have been well invested in improving the domestic educational infrastructure.
While Mr Sibal’s ambitions seem misplaced and critics have warned that the proliferation of private universities could result in a free-for all, rather than an academic renaissance, the fact also remains that the state is no longer capable of investing in higher education. Most central universities are facing budget cuts and are told to generate their own resources. As a result most Vice Chancellors are busy cutting corners in their spending and raising resources through means that are not exactly appropriate.
But what is also worrying in this country is the huge shortfall in faculty positions. In Central Universities, close to 51 per cent of posts of professor are lying vacant. Most universities and colleges are working with fewer than half the number of lecturers they require. Studies indicate that around 3,00,000 more academics are needed. The estimated faculty shortage in India stands at 54%. The lecturer-to-student ratio in the country is 1:20.9 against1:13.5 recommended by the University Grants Commission (1:12 for postgraduate students and 1:15 for undergraduates). Now the Union government wants to add 25 million students to the current 15 million in higher education as India’s economy grows. The aim is to raise India’s gross enrollment ratio in the 18 to 25 year age group from the current 12.4% to 30% by 2030.
There is a virtual race to acquire PhD degrees quickly and by taking shortcuts to join the academic workforce. This is how CMJ has made quick bucks. This would not have been possible had all the sponsors of private universities in Meghalaya been scrutinized and meticulously vetted. The regulatory body for private universities has come too late in the day. As a result we have a mess and a huge embarrassment for the Government. Today Meghalaya is exposed as a State that could not rein in the avaricious merchants of education. From an educational hub to the home of a University selling degrees is a big fall from grace.