Pre-budget reality check: Are higher education reforms reaching students?
Manish Mohta
All these changes fall under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and increased emphasis on digital technology. The purpose of these reforms is to improve the quality of higher education so it can meet the requirements for the global standardized higher education system of today. The big question now is whether or not these reforms are actually being implemented and reaching the students who are in need of them.
NEP2020
The biggest reform to date has been in the formation of the NEP2020 document, which proposes a more multidisciplinary flexibility in Higher Education, creating a more supportive, research-oriented, and innovative culture, while also reducing the number of students dropping out of a higher education institution. This reform is proposed to provide a more well-rounded educational experience that provides students with both academic knowledge and the tools to build a productive career, as well as develop critical thinking skills.
Along with the formation of new academic universities and research facilities related to the NEP 2020 initiative, there has also been an increase in funding allocated to these institutions every year. Digital education initiatives stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have also greatly aided the ability of students in rural areas to access and use distance learning/weekend learning resources to further their education.
Challenges
Nonetheless, there remain significant challenges when putting reforms into practice. State and private colleges are having trouble implementing the policies outlined in the NEP. Implementation challenges arise from many different areas, such as not enough trained faculty members available to implement policies, a lack of physical resources and infrastructure, and the fact that there are many administrative (process) bottlenecks to slow the adoption of these new reforms. For example, the NEP encourages research-based learning through the creation of multidisciplinary programs, but only a small percentage of institutions have the financial capacity to develop this type of program. Additionally, many rural communities have little to no access to high-quality, up-to-date digital infrastructure, which creates an obstacle to students in those areas taking advantage of any college program using an online platform.
Affordability
The affordability of college is another issue for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. As the cost of tuition increases, many colleges and universities do not offer scholarships to low-income families. While government funding to support the implementation of the NEP continues to increase, it often does not reach smaller colleges and private colleges, leaving many students unable to take full advantage of new programs. Additionally, students report being unaware of the existence of many new reforms or initiatives that are intended to provide assistance to them. In addition, a reform may exist in theory, but if students do not know about it or cannot access it, its impact is essentially nonexistent.
Employability
Outcomes related to the employability of graduates and skills developed demonstrate that there continue to be gaps between policy and practice. While a large number of skill development initiatives have been created and implemented, a review of the industry has confirmed that there are still a number of graduates entering the workforce who lack sufficient skills in applied practice. The curriculum needs of employers and the skills required by those employers are not aligned, and therefore, there is a disconnect between the two. To assist in closing the gap between what’s being taught in schools and what businesses require, there should be ongoing updates on course content along with the establishment of meaningful partnerships between both sectors. By creating these types of partnerships, students will be able to learn real-world skills in their classrooms as well as through internships or other work experience opportunities.
As the budget discussion gets closer, industry experts are stating that there should be a change in focus from creating reform to implementing reform effectively. In order to implement the necessary infrastructure to support college reform, provide adequate training to faculty, provide digital access for the community and students, and create a culture of community and student awareness, appropriate funding must be allocated. Furthermore, to ensure equitable access to these resources for all students—regardless of whether they attend large urban institutions with large endowments—there must also be additional need-based financial assistance provided to small colleges and underrepresented populations.
Manish Mohta is Founder, Learning Spiral
