Impact of Teaching Shops and Shady Institutions in Indian Education System

GS Paper II Indian Polity and Governance

Context:

The UK government’s recent actions against teaching shops for “rip-off” degrees bring attention to similar issues in India.

Rip-off Degrees:

The term “rip-off” degrees refers to the poor quality degrees, which have poor employment outcomes, and don’t benefit the economy.

Concerns with these rip-off degrees:

Lack of Quality Education:
- Teaching shops offer degrees without providing knowledge or skills.
- Private colleges lack proper infrastructure for quality education.
- Private colleges act as teaching shops and compromise quality education.
Manipulation of Exam Processes:
- Teaching shops use unethical means like arranging copying during exams.
- Faculty’s performance is judged based on the number of students passing exams.
- Coaching centers ‘help’ students pass exams without real education.
Nexus with Mafia and Illegal Activities:
- Shady coaching centers linked to question paper leaks and impersonation.
- Private universities award degrees in dishonest ways for money.
- Existence of fake universities publishing degrees up to Ph.D. and D.Litt.
Threat to Good Colleges:
- Private colleges and teaching shops affect good colleges’ intake.
- Shortfall in admissions for good colleges during the academic year.

Way Forward:

Reaping Demographic Dividend: By 2030, India will have the largest number of young population in the world, which can become a boon if they receive a quality, ethical and value education.
Stringent Actions: There is a need to take stringent actions by the government against these shady institutions and provide an affordable quality education.
Assessment: The assessment of students must be based on an integrated approach rather than merely having degrees and this should include indicators like peer interaction, curiosity potential, creativity models etc.
Increase Budget Funding: There is a need to support the education sector with adequate budget allocation.
Fixing of Numbers: There should be a cap on the number of students in an institution by the government by considering required indicators.
Learning & Earning Target: Vocational education should be promoted to attract students and can help in counter such rip-off institutions challenges.

Additional Information:

Provisions associated with Education:

Fundamental Right:
- Article 21-A in the Constitution of India by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002: It deals to provide free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right in such a manner as the State may, by law, determine.
Fundamental Duty:
- Article 51A of the Indian Constitution states that a parent or guardian has to provide opportunities for education to his/her child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.
Directive Principle of State Policy:
- Originally Part IV of Indian Constitution, Article 45 and Article 39 (f) of DPSP, had a provision for state funded as well as equitable and accessible education.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG):
- SDG 4 is about quality education which deals to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.