The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) recently released a report on higher education in Uttar Pradesh, expressing disappointment over the lack of enrolment, a significant gap in student-teacher ratios, and the absence of research-oriented and employment-oriented education. The report highlighted several issues and suggested 12 points to improve the situation.Enrollment rate and student-teacher ratioAccording to the report, the states enrollment rate in higher education institutions was just 25.30 percent, significantly lower than the national average of 27.10 percent. The student-teacher ratio in higher education in the state was 150:1. At the same time the UGC recommended a ratio of 20:1. Lack of research-oriented and employment-oriented educationThe report pointed out a significant decline in research-oriented education in higher education institutions in the state. Teachers teaching in these institutions need to become more familiar with the latest innovations in the field of research. The quality of research in higher education has declined. Furthermore, the report highlighted the absence of employment-oriented courses in higher education, which has become a concern for todays youth who want to get jobs after graduation.Not a single higher education institution in 20 districtsBK Mohanty said there is no government institute of higher education in 20 districts, and no single government or private higher education institution exists in the five districts. In the detailed audit of the two oldest universities of the state, Kashi Vidyapeeth and Lucknow University, the CAG has put forward a more disappointing report regarding higher education. The decline in research, reluctance to include new employment-oriented courses and significant infrastructure deficiencies have been put forward.CAGs suggestions for improvementThe CAG report made several suggestions for improving the state of higher education in Uttar Pradesh. These include developing infrastructure in government colleges and providing basic facilities in private colleges affiliated with UGC standards. It recommended regulating the fee structure of private colleges and establishing more colleges in districts with a shortage of educational institutions to achieve the targeted gross enrollment ratio of 40% by 2030. The report also recommended revising and enhancing courses and including courses.Additionally, the CAG report recommended maintaining the prescribed student-teacher ratio in government colleges and universities and improving the working behaviour of teachers for personal and institutional progress.The state government and universities should regularly organise relevant professional development programs, and all teachers should participate in these training. The report also recommended strengthening the affiliation process to ensure that only colleges complying with all regulatory requirements get time. Universities should ensure that all educational institutions have placement and placement cells. The state government should collect data on the number of people who got jobs among the students studying in higher educational institutions and those who passed out. Finally, vacant posts in partner bodies of state universities should be filled on priority.ConclusionThe CAG report emphasises the importance of enhancing higher education in Uttar Pradesh by improving the quality of education, infrastructure, and employment-oriented courses, regulating fee structures, maintaining student-teacher ratios, offering professional development programs for teachers, strengthening affiliation processes and establishing placement cells.
