(a) whether the Government is aware that only a small percentage of people are able to get higher education after primary and secondary education across the country and many students are not able to get admission for higher studies despite their interest;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to facilitate admission in higher classes to all the willing students; and
(d) the progress made by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) to (d): The Government is committed to enlarging access with equity to higher education to all those students who are aspiring for it. The National Policy on Education 1986, as modified in 1992, provides for National System of Education implying that up to a given level, all students, irrespective of caste, creed, location or sex, have access to education of a comparable quality. As per the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), 2014-15, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Higher Education is 23.6% (in absolute numbers it is 33.3 million) and the goal is to reach 30% by 2020. Keeping in view the stated vision and goals of the Ministry, all efforts are continuously being made for facilitating admissions to institutions of higher learning.
Presently, the Government is in the process of framing a New Education Policy for which it carried out nearly a year-long consultation process across 33 themes, with all stakeholders including State Governments, autonomous bodies and regulators. Several themes in Higher Education, such as, “Bridging gender and social gaps”, “Addressing regional disparity”, “Promoting Open and Distance Learning and online courses”, “Opportunities for technology enabled learning”, “Sustaining student support system”, “ Integrating skill development in higher education” and “Engagement with industry to link education to employability” are aimed at ensuring that an enabling environment is created for increasing opportunities for higher education to all eligible students from all sections of the society.
All the suggestions received through multiple stakeholders have been passed on to the ‘Committee for Evolution of the New Education Policy’; constituted by the Govt. of India for drafting the New Education Policy (NEP).
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