Education is the key to the future of any nation and of its people. All nations which are considered developed had centuries ago given much importance to education. Be it Germany, France, England , USA or for that matter any developed Nation. China having realized this lacunae in its development trajectory has over the last two decades given much importance to education and that too for English Education, the same having been accepted in the business and scientific community as the global language. China has funded education abroad for Chinese citizens, there is hardly any western or American University without substantial number of Chinese students.
The recent Chinese New Year celebrations in London was an evidence of the large Chinese student population in UK. China also invites a number of scholars from almost all western and US Universities to deliver lectures or conduct specific courses in the Chinese Universities. In fact the global intelligentsia seems to be on an exodus to china though always for a temporary period.
In India, education is a concurrent subject, the Center as well as the State could legislate, promote and regulate education and because of this constitutional arrangements. Different states in India have independently charted its growth in education. Many of the northern states having realized their backwardness in education are now on a fast track by involving private players to enter education at all levels. Goa may be comparatively better in performance at the elementary education level but as regards higher education it is nothing less than pathetic.
True it is, political interference in higher education has greatly tarnished its image and quality appointment of Vice Chancellors and heads of reputed Intuitions have become nothing but a political exercise, Goa is no exception to this and now caste based approach to students academic needs and politicalization of campuses have added to dampen and ridicule the sanctity of academics in higher education. The only remedy is government should move out of higher education and leave it to private hands with appropriate monitoring systems and student based funding and not Institution based funding.
Having a single University, that too a state-run University has not only diminished the quality but even created scarcity of variety and opportunities to students of Goa. Collaborations and innovation are nowhere in the perspective of Goa’s Higher education. Goa University seems to be happy and contend with its regulatory role of controlling affiliated colleges and a large share of its time and resources seems to be spend exclusively for such regulatory activity alone, needless to say many in the academics at University departments are drawn into such non academic activities, may be because such functions do not call for any academic acumen nor research capabilities.
Of course the often cited excuse by many of these academicians, administrators and even the government is that the number of students at higher education is on the decrease in Goa. No doubt when there are better opportunities and better quality education students tend to move out. But the fundamental flaw in this argument is the failure to realize that because of lack of quality, the state fails to attract students from other states and foreign students. Look at the immediate neighboring states, for students from North and north eastern regions , these States are preferred educational destinations, reason there are a variety of courses, friendly local population and good facilities. Look at the number of foreign students being enrolled in these States.
But why this thinking only in education? Why doesn’t the government stop construction of flats and complexes on the same basis that the Goan population has not increased to have so many dwelling units, and same with Tourism and hospitality as very few Goans are employed in these industries. Compared to education, construction activities cause pressure on land and essential amenities and consequent pollution. Tourism has broken the back bone of goan culture and the peaceful rural life style of the people. It is a fact to be noted that it is only in the field of education (be it higher or elementary) employment of Goans is the highest and with proper planning and vision the same trend could be continued even with expansion and multi variety in higher education.
Of course the Government would never be willing to set up another University because there is no immediate political (vote) advantage but if private universities are allowed to be set up competition will set the ground rules. Does not matter the fees will be much higher but that would be offset by proper concessional rates for Goan children and will provide further economic opportunities within the state with students from other states and foreign students enrolling for the various courses, at least they will not ‘set shop’ like the foreign tourists as is happening now in the extreme North Goa and south Goa beaches. Education has proved to be the number one non-polluting industry with many employment opportunities for those who conduct the courses and those who study the courses. Now a days even big corporate house are plunging into education as they see profit in the enterprise secondly it is safe as non polluting and long term investment. After all the best Universities in the world are all private Universities either established by corporate or philanthropic minded individuals What is expected of the government is to provide proper legislation with appropriate quality Monitoring frame work so that quality is maintained and exploitation is avoided
All that needs to be considered is the future of the youth, providing them good quality education and better opportunities should be the overriding concern. Earlier the better as it will stop exodus of Goan youth to Gulf countries and sea faring where the opportunities are now drying up.
State education policy should have a long term goal and appropriate planning this requires political non interference and statesmanship of policy makes
(The writer is a Professor of Law & Former Dean
of Faculty of Law at
Goa University.)
