Context:
A report based on the analysis of data from the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) and the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) reveals a notable decline in the enrollment of Muslim students in higher education.
Relevance:
GS II: Polity and Governance
Dimensions of the Article:
- Key Findings on Dropout Among Muslims: A Report Analysis
- Recommendations for Addressing Dropout Among Muslim Students
- UDISE Plus Report
- All India Survey for Higher Education (AISHE)
Key Findings on Dropout Among Muslims: A Report Analysis
Overall Enrollment Trends:
- Significant drop of over 8.5% in the enrollment of Muslim students (age group 18-23) in higher education for the academic year 2020-21.
- Enrollment decreased from 21 lakh students in 2019-20 to 19.21 lakh in 2020-21.
- Despite an overall increase in enrollment from 2016-17 to 2020-21, there was a decline in the latest year, marking a decrease of 1,79,147 students from 2019-20 to 2020-21.
Percentage Comparison:
- The percentage of Muslim students enrolled in higher education compared to the total student population slightly decreased from 4.87% in 2016-17 to 4.64% in 2020-21.
Educational Stage Trends:
- Across States and Union Territories, a consistent trend is observed where Muslim student representation gradually declines from Class 6 onwards, reaching its lowest in Classes 11 and 12.
- Enrollment percentage of Muslim students drops from 14.42% in upper primary (Class 6-8) to 10.76% in higher secondary (Class 11-12).
State-wise Disparities:
- States like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh exhibit relatively low Gross Enrolment Ratio for Muslim students, indicating that many Muslim children in these States are still out of the education system.
- Assam (29.52%) and West Bengal (23.22%) record high dropout rates among Muslim students, while Jammu and Kashmir records 5.1%, and Kerala records 11.91%.
Recommendations for Addressing Dropout Among Muslim Students
- Enhance Scholarships, Grants, and Financial Aid:
- Increase the availability of scholarships, grants, and financial aid specifically designed for Muslim students.
- Alleviate financial burdens to enhance access to higher education.
- Tailored Support for Low-Income Families:
- Recognize the financial challenges faced by many Muslim students from low-income families.
- Tailor support programs to address the unique economic circumstances of these students.
- Inclusive Policies for Equal Opportunities:
- Implement inclusive policies that ensure equal opportunities for all students, regardless of religious background or economic status.
- Bridge the education gap by fostering an environment that promotes diversity and inclusivity.
- Targeted Support Programs:
- Develop targeted support programs to address the specific needs of Muslim students in higher education.
- Focus on creating a supportive ecosystem that fosters academic success and overall well-being.
UDISE Plus Report:
- Comprehensive Study:
- A comprehensive study providing information on enrollment and dropout rates of school students, number of teachers, and other infrastructural facilities like toilets, buildings, and electricity.
- Initiation and Launch:
- Launched in the academic year 2018-2019.
- Aims to speed up data entry, reduce errors, improve data quality, and ease the verification process.
- Data Collection Application:
- An application designed to collect school details, focusing on factors related to a school and its resources.
- An updated and improved version of UDISE, which was initiated in 2012-13 by the Ministry of Education.
All India Survey for Higher Education (AISHE):
- Initiative by the Ministry of Education:
- AISHE is an initiative by the Ministry of Education in India.
- Annual Web-Based Survey:
- Conducted annually, the survey is web-based and aims to assess the state of higher educational institutions in India.
- Objectives:
- Determine the overall condition of higher education institutions.
- Identify areas for improvement in the higher education sector.
- Student Involvement:
- Students enrolled in higher educational institutions actively participate in the AISHE survey.
- Rating System:
- Allows students to rate their colleges on various categories such as teachers, exam results, education finance, programs, student enrollment, and infrastructure.
- Utilization of Data:
- The data collected in the AISHE survey is used to make informed policy decisions and conduct research in higher education.
- Contributes to enhancing the quality and efficiency of higher education in India.
-Source: The Hindu
