The Russian attack on Ukraine shook the world with intensity. Being a mere spectator from India we got to hear, ‘strangled and saved’ students coming from abroad praising the government, few others criticising the evacuation programme and accusing it to be ‘pseudo’ and others even went to an extent of questioning the liberty of studying abroad.
Article 21 (A) of Indian Constitution describes free and compulsory education for children aged between 6 – 14 years. But the difference from Indian system to that of foreign countries is Accessibility, Affordability and Investment. In spite of Education being a Fundamental right, emerged commercialisation and privatisation waves seems to evacuate the idea of ‘free’ education. Most of the Indian students express their will on continuing their career based higher education abroad.
Malja Hayat, a writer in Edumpus blog has listed out reasons on why education abroad is better than Indian system of education. Privatisation of the system and education turning out to be commercial is one among the ten reasons.
According to UN Population prospects, India is home to the largest population of young adults (aged 18 to 23) worldwide. And so, for a massive population of young adults education will continue to play an important role in the growth of the nation. But when the investment of education is less compared to that of the need, competition will hinder an individual from obtaining the need. At the same time, unaffordable rates on educational seats even to the meritorious students drowns to the level of shattering the universe like dream of the student.
Education Commission 1964-66 had recommended that at least 6 per cent of GDP must be spent on education. Even the New Education Policy 2020 too has recommended on the same percentage of investment. But as per the Economic Survey presented by Union Finance Minister, the expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP was:
2019-20: 2.8%
2020-21: 3.1%
2021-22: 3.1%
In the world of competition, when government fails in the necessary budget allotment finding out a new way becomes necessary. Specially in case of fields like that of medicines most of the Indian students lean towards foreign education. The potential job opportunity along a dignified pay scale too are the reasons. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 2,61,406 students from India went abroad in 2020.
If some one stands up to turn as a migrant leaving one’s own home town then the majority of times it will be to fulfil the basic needs of Food, Shelter and Education. In a mixed economy like India both Private and Public sector have role in initiating the needs at the same time, and thus it becomes the duty of the government to look into that fact that, private sector doesn’t lean towards exploitation.
