Kerala’s higher education sector shows promise but requires significant quality improvements, according to the latest NITI Aayog report which is a clarion call demanding remedial measures to elevate the quality of education and its institutions in the state at various levels.
The state’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) stands at 41.3%, surpassing the national average of 28.4%. However, Tamil Nadu supercedes Kerala with 47 per cent of ( GER) and Himachal Pradesh with 43 per cent. However, Kerala is below the national average in the Pupil Teacher Ratio( PTR) which is a significant indicator of educational quality. Kerala’s 15 per cent of ( PTR) is far lower than the national average of 23 per cent. Andhra and Telengana are 16 per cent each which is ahead than Kerala’s 15 per cent. According to the NITI Aayog report regarding the percentage of accredited Universities, Kerala is only with 35 per cent with Tamil Nadu scoring 76 per cent.
With 23 universities, including 1 Central University, 6 Institutions of National Importance, and 14 State Universities, Kerala boasts a high level of spending on education (3.46% of GSDP) and innovative digital learning initiatives. The state has a Gender Parity Index (GPI) of 1.44, indicating more female students than male.
However, challenges persist in ensuring equitable access, particularly in rural areas, and enhancing quality through technology and innovative pedagogies.
The fact that the higher education sector of the state is passing through a crisis is exemplified in the context of the number of vacant seats in the institutions of the state.
In 2023 -24 academic yearr 9,793 seats remained vacant in the 148 colleges affiliated to Kerala University. According to the available data, 503 seats were vacant in government colleges, 3,092 seats in aided colleges, and 6,198 seats in unaided colleges.
With a staggering 88,552 seats lying vacant in self-financing arts and science colleges and aided colleges, government colleges in the entire Universities of the state for the academic year 2023-24, the state’s once-thriving education landscape is now facing a new crisis.
The state government aims to launch a “Study in Kerala” scheme to attract international students and has introduced the Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework (KIRF) to promote excellence in higher education. Potential Interviewees, the NITI Aayog report says.
The national average university and college density is 0.8. Sikkim has the highest density of 10.3, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Uttarakhand. These are all sparsely populated regions. In the highly populated states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra, density at the state level is below the national average, with Bihar recording the lowest at 0.2. Kerala has only 0.8 percent university density, with Tamil Nadu superseding Kerala with 0.9 percent and Karnataka 1.1 percent and Andhra Pradesh 0.9 percent. This indicates that while the absolute number of universities and colleges is rapidly growing, their distribution among the population is unequal, especially in the high population states. Hence, efforts need to be made to ensure equitable access to higher education by improving university density in these states.
Regarding the state public Universities density Kerala with 0.4percent is behind Karnataka with 0.5 percent, Andhra Pradesh with 0.5percent and Jammu Kashmir with 0.6 percent.
Regarding the state wise distribution of top 100 Universities across India on the basis of NIRK ranking report 2024 in the universities category, Kerala with 4 per cent is far behind Tamil Nadu with 22 percent, Karnataka with 11 percent, Maharashtra with 10 percent, Uttar Pradesh with 9 percent and Punjab with 7 percent and Andhra Pradesh with 5 percent.
To further enhance Kerala’s higher education sector, efforts should be made to increase university density, particularly in rural areas. Initiatives should also be taken to improve GER and GPI, ensuring equal access to higher education for all. Additionally, policies should be implemented to reduce disparities in higher education access and outcomes across different regions and communities in Kerala. By addressing these areas, Kerala can ensure equitable access to quality higher education and continue to make progress in its higher education landscape.
“There are disagreements to the point of view that Kerala is the hub of higher education. However, this is intended to divert the attention from the pathetic state of affairs in higher education. It is on the basis of this realization that many among the students from the state are fleeing to outside state and countries for education. It is due to the same fact that forty percent of the degree seats and thirty percent of the post graduate seats are lying vacant in the higher educational institutions of the state. The main reason for the brain drain is that our syllabus is not updated properly and absence of good teachers and lack of efficient administrative system”, says RS Sasikumar, convenor of the save universities campaign committee. Sasikumar critiques the supposed growth of Kerala by saying that the state has only three universities which have A double plus with Kerala University, MG University and CUSAT having double A plus. This is when the state has 14 Universities. Due to this lack of high level quality among its universities students are fleeing to other states.
Dr J Prabhash former Pro Vice Chancellor of Kerala University and eminent educationist said that we have to enhance the quality of education. “It’s time for Kerala to change from quantity to quality. For this state spending on education and social sector has to be enhanced. Quality of teachers, quality of syllabus, starting new generation courses, strengthening evaluation system, all are part of this exercise. Also use of appropriate technology. Improving quality of education should begin with school education”, Prabhash added.
He observed that we should think of creating a few centres of excellence and then slowly linking surrounding institutions with them.
Dr Prabhash said that Kerala’s tall claims in the higher education sector is in comparison to other states where the education system is much dismal than that of Kerala.It shows that education in other states are deplorable”, he maintained.
Eminent economist Dr PA Mathew said that “Kerala’s higher education sector is facing a critical juncture. Despite the need for investment, the government is constrained by limited resources, unable to make significant capital expenditures to establish new institutions or rejuvenate existing ones. While central funds and KIFFB have helped upgrade infrastructure, the focus has been on revenue expenditure, hiring new employees to appease party loyalists. The private sector, which could fill the gap, is hesitant to invest due to lack of confidence in government policies. The dominant caste groups controlling higher education in Kerala prioritize protecting their existing institutions over making new investments. This has led to a brain drain, with students seeking opportunities elsewhere. In contrast, neighboring states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are fostering growth in higher education, welcoming private investment and innovation. Kerala’s restrictive approach is stifling progress, and it’s imperative for the government to rethink its strategy to revitalize the sector.”
Noted demographer S Irudayarajan demands that the state government should conduct a proper study on what really ails the higher education sector of the state. It is to be studied whether it us due to the syllabus, faculty or other reasons.
” It should be investigated why the students are leaving the state to study the same courses which are available here. For example why they are going to a College in Bangalore for studying BA Economics course when the same course is available here”, he asked. Irudayarajan adds that another factor influencing the decision of the students to migrate to foreign countries is due to the emergence of a new middle class who wants to sent their children to abroad for education and settle their after studies.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Get the latest CounterCurrents updates delivered straight to your inbox.
Abhish K Bose is a journalist from Kerala
