New Delhi: India trails behind several countries including Brazil and China in terms of student-teacher ratio in higher education segment, a government report has revealed. The 24:1 ratio of India is lower than 19:1 in Brazil and China.
Among the eight countries compared, India's student-ratio has turned out to be the lowest – against Sweden's 12:1, Britain's 16:1, Russia's 10:1 and Canada's 9:1.
This not only results in overburdening a small group of teachers but also adversely affects the quality of academic research taken up by them, says a Human Resource Development Ministry report.
"A low student-teacher ratio indicates the burden on a single teacher of teaching multiple students as well as the lack of time that each student gets. Apart from this simplistic effect, in an institution of higher learning, a smaller number of overburdened teachers are also unable to pursue any research or encourage their students to do so.
"Consequently, the culture of questioning and reasoning cannot be inculcated as a part of higher education in most institutions," the Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme (EQUIP) report said.
The faculty shortage have worsened over the time due to increasing enrolment rate of the students and low faculty recruitment in the higher education institutes. As per the ministry's All India Survey on Higher Education statistics, while the student enrolment in higher education institutes have increased from 32.3 million in 2013-14 to 36.6 million in 2017-18, the total number of teachers have declined from 13,67,535 to 12,84,755.
According to estimates, the country's higher education sector – central, state and private universities – is facing a shortfall of over 5 lakh teachers. "India is short of professors, with 6,600 posts vacant in central universities, a shortfall of 33 per cent. In IITs and state universities, 35 per cent and 38 per cent vacancies need to be filled respectively," the report stated.
It added that the faculty vacancies have negatively impacted the quality of teaching and research.
"Available data shows that this shortfall in faculty is being bridged by using large numbers of ad hoc or part-time faculty. However, institutions with a high number of ad hoc or part-time faculty perform poorly in terms of teaching quality."
The report also points out that the number of female teachers at the tertiary level of education is also low. "At the all India level, there were 72 female teachers per 100 male teachers. Similarly, in SC category, there were 56 female teachers per hundred male teachers, and in the case of ST and OBC, it was 66 and 68 female per 100 male teachers, respectively," it stated.
Enlisting the reasons for low student-teacher ratios at the higher education level, the report has noted that apart from not filling up the sanctioned strength, most institutions hesitate in creating new faculty positions.
"In addition to the low number of sanctioned faculty positions, faculty vacancy even in sanctioned strength is an extremely serious problem. Due to various reasons such as a ban on recruitment, lack of funds, and the reluctance of states to bear the long-term salary burden, a large number of faculty positions are not filled. Attracting faculty is a big challenge for rural and backward areas because of the lack of infrastructural support and reluctance of teachers in moving to non-urban areas," it stated.
In June, the University Grants Commission had issued guidelines asking the government-operated higher education institutions to fill up 3 lakh vacancies within six months. Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' has also been emphasising on filling up faculty positions on war footing in various meetings with the higher education institutions.
Related Post
Sensex Crashes 930 Points, All Sectoral Indices in Red
Mumbai: The Indian stock market saw a steep decline on Tuesday amid weak global cues. This decline could have significant…
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Breaks Glass During Waqf Bill JPC Meeting, Suspended
New Delhi: A huge ruckus ensued at the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, which…
Bengaluru Rain Fury: Government Asks 600 Families to Relocate for 8 Days
Following the rain fury in Bengaluru, the Karnataka government has asked residents of a few apartments to relocate for eight…
Man Who Raised Anti-National Slogans Salutes Tricolour 21 Times, Chants ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ on Court Order
Bhopal: Complying with Madhya Pradesh High Court’s direction as a condition for bail, Faizal Khan alias Faizan saluted the national…
Salman Khan to be Seen in a Cameo Role in ‘Singham Again’
Mumbai: While the stage is set for a thrilling clash between this years’ Diwali releases ‘Singham Again’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa…
Special News
-
Adar Poonawalla Buys 50% Stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions
October 21, 2024 -
Intriguing Case of an Indian Who US Says is a RAW Agent
October 20, 2024 -
Kajol on Celebrating Karwa Chauth
October 20, 2024 -
Supreme Court Clears Missing Persons Claims Against Isha Foundation
October 19, 2024 -
Is Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi New favourite of Bollywood ‘Has Beens’?
October 18, 2024 -
India-New Zealand 1st Test: Hurt Pant to Not Keep Wickets on Day 3
October 18, 2024
Top News
-
211 Ft Tall Ravana Prepared in Delhi’s Dwarka
October 6, 2024
Sensex Crashes 930 Points, All Sectoral Indices in Red
October 22, 2024
Salman Khan to be Seen in a Cameo Role in ‘Singham Again’
October 22, 2024