The Report of All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) for the year 2019-20 released by the Union Education Minister on June 10 provides important data on the performance of higher education sector in the country. This is the 10th in the series of reports that has revealed the status of higher education in the country which assumes much importance in the background of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation in the near future.There are 1,043 universities, 42,343 colleges and 11,779 Standalone Institutions listed on AISHE website of which 1,019 universities, 39,955 colleges and 9,599 Standalone Institutions have responded during the survey 2019-20.
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are the top eight States in terms of highest number of colleges in India. Among the districts, Bangalore Urban district stood at the top in terms of number of colleges, i.e., 1,009 followed by Jaipur with 606 colleges. Top 50 districts have about 32% of the colleges. The number of colleges per lakh of population in the age-group of 18-23 years is the lowest seven in Bihar and the highest 59 in Karnataka as compared to the all-India average of 30.
Total enrolment in higher education has been estimated to be 38.5 million with 19.6 million boys (51%) and 18.9 million girls (49%). Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), which is calculated for the 18-23-year age group in higher education in India, stood at 27.1, for male population is 26.9 and for female, it is 27.3.
In 2011-12, the GER for all categories stood at 20.8%, for male it is 22.1% and for female it is 19.4%. During the nine years’ period, the overall GER increased by 6.3% whereas a 4.8% increase marked by the boys and an impressive increase of 7.9% in case of girl students. The Gender Parity Index (GPI), a ratio of proportional representation of female and male, in higher education is 1.01 in 2019-20 against 1.00 in 2018-19 and 0.91 in 2015-16. The growth of GER and GPI of female students in the country reflects the dedicated efforts of the planners for improvement in the access to higher education by the female students in comparison to their male counterpart.
Let us take a glance at the higher education scenario in Odisha. As per the report, the State possesses one Central University, five institutes of national importance, sixteen State Universities; three Deemed Private Universities, six private universities and one State Open University. Apart from this, there are 1,087 colleges, of which 33% are Government colleges and 67% private, aided and unaided colleges. There are 24 colleges for one lakh population in Odisha against the national average of 30.
Similarly, the average enrolment in the colleges is 659 whereas 680 is the national average. The estimated enrolment during the year is around 9.95 lakh, of which girls constitute 47% against 49% at the all-India level. However, the enrolment in the previous year stood at 10.19 lakh, which decreased by 0.24 lakh. Our average enrolment is on par with the national average, but the number of colleges is to be increased to have a justified figure enabling eligible students to pursue higher education. There was a considerable growth in the number of universities in the State which increased from 21 in 2015-16 to 23 in 2019-20. But the growth in the number of colleges is slow from 1,076 to 1,087 adding 11 colleges during the five years.
The GER is Odisha is far below the national averages necessitating desired steps to boost in the coming years. The GER, which stood at 19.6 in 2015-16, increased to 21.7 in 2019-20 against the national average of 27.1 lagging far behind. The GER of male students grew from 21.5 to 23 and the GER of female students increased from 17.8 to 20.3 marking an addition of 1.5 per cent for male and 2,5 per cent for female students. There is a considerable progress in the GER of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe during the last five years. The GER of Scheduled Caste students increased from 14.7 to 19.7 adding a growth of five per cent during the five years period. Similarly, the GER of Scheduled Tribe students jumped from 9.4 in 2015-16 to 13.5 in 2019-20 witnessing a growth of four per cent during the five years period.
However, in all the categories cThe AISHE report provided valuable data which can be analysed and suitable policy measures can be taken by the Government for strengthening the higher education scenario. The data belong to the pre-pandemic period and things have changed now.
The setback made by the pandemic to the sector is difficult to overcome in the near future. With much cuts and adjustments, one precious academic year was saved and attempts are going on to save yet another. The task before the Government is to solve the immediate problems like examination, evaluation and admissions and all the stakeholders are to extend their cooperation to Government to create the new normal.
(Dr Biswal is Head, Department of Commerce, Nowrangpur College, Nabarangpur-764063. Mob: 9437125286. bhaskarnathbiswal@gmail.com)