Context:
The UK government’s recent actions against teaching shops for “rip-off†degrees bring attention to similar issues in India.Â
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.Â
- Private colleges lack proper infrastructure for quality education.Â
- Private colleges act as teaching shops and compromise quality education.Â
- Manipulation of Exam Processes:Â
- Teaching shops use unethical means like arranging copying during exams.Â
- Faculty’s performance is judged based on the number of students passing exams.Â
- Coaching centers ‘help’ students pass exams without real education.Â
- 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.Â
- Existence of fake universities publishing degrees up to Ph.D. and D.Litt.Â
- Threat to Good Colleges:Â
- Private colleges and teaching shops affect good colleges’ intake.Â
- Shortfall in admissions for good colleges during the academic year.Â
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.Â
- 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.Â
- Increase Budget Funding: There is a need to support the education sector with adequate budget allocation.Â
- 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:Â
Provisions associated with Education:
- Fundamental Right:Â
- 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:Â
- 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.Â
- 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.
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News Source: The Economic Tim
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