State is neglecting higher education. Here’s proof

Maharashtra spends only 0.14 per cent of gross state domestic product (GSDP) on higher education, much less than the dismal 0.5 per cent all states spend average, claims the draft of a proposed funding scheme for universities and colleges.

Accordingly, draft recommendations of National Higher Education Mission or Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) focus on result-oriented funding.

The draft, prepared by the ministry of human resource development and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, is up for public consultation.

It says Uttar Pradesh , Jharkhand, and West Bengal have very low gross enrollment ratios (GERs). Their spend on higher education is also very low.

“States such as Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (TN), which have higher institutional density but whose spend on higher education is low or average, most likely have high degree of private participation. This again creates distortions in state higher education systems.”

The draft says Goa, TN, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tripura and Mizoram have shown high per capita expenditure on higher education with reasonable GERs compared to the national average.

“This may also be because these states have a history of positive intervention in higher education. New Delhi and Puducherry have a high GER, while states such as Maharashtra have a good GER, but their spend on higher education is low,” it says.

The report says state institutions lack “absorptive capacity” and the funds transfer and use process is cumbersome. As a result, of the Rs 22,891 crore allotted

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