India Needs Rapid Expansion in Higher Education- Arvind Panagariya- NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman

As we all know, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) is formed for new purposes. India is hub of Engineers, Doctors, etc. and we must try to resolve the Level of Higher Education. Mr. Panagariya also added that, “I think challenges in the Indian education system are very much there. The country needs transformation in this field”.

More details for Indian Higher Education Expansion Plans:

India is considered as “Land of Intellectuals” with bright students. Just as we need transformation in different areas such as Urbanisation, Industralisation. In many countries a lot of transformation in education is in full swing. Indian higher education system has expanded at a fast pace by adding nearly 20,000 colleges and more than 8 million students in a decade from 2000-01 to 2010-11. But, still we have to Improve the System..

Panagariya is of the view that school education and higher education need to grow together to help India face various challenges. Arvind Panagariya is of the view that school education and higher education need to grow together to help India face various challenges.

He made out a case for rapid expansion in higher education both in private and public sectors. “A lot of the criticism in recent times are along the lines that we overemphasis on higher education and ignore elementary one. And that was a big mistake. Personally, I don’t really subscribe to that view… The Constitution very specifically recognised it”.

• While taking note of advancement in information technology (IT) because of rapid expansion in engineering education, Panagariya made it a point to highlight the “very restrictive” nature of medical education in India.
• With an example of his own state Rajasthan, Panagariya said there were five medical colleges in Rajasthan way back in 1995 and the situation remains same even now.
• Listing other impediments, Panagariya said there is distinct lack of interest among professionals towards teaching profession and the salary levels are not comparable either for Government jobs in India.
• We also need to do something about the salaries paid to professors. Often, the best faculty and students walk out to work for the private sector.

He made it clear that NITI Aayog is considerate to the demands of the education sector. “At NITI Aayog, we are very much sensitive to that. The Prime Minister has himself focused on cooperative federalism. This is where FICCI can help NITI Aayog.

For More Information on NITI Aayog ➡ www.niti.gov.in/