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.

News Source: The Economic Tim