Telangana lags in enrollment in higher education

Despite having the highest number of colleges and educational institutes in the country, Telangana has registered disproportionately low levels of enrollment. For every one lakh people, a meager 22 per cent of Telangana population has completed graduation. The State does not even among the top five in average enrollment, according to a report on higher education by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the Census 2011.

According to the Annual Status of Higher Education of States and UTs in India 2015 (ASHE-2015), Telangana registered only 13.82 lakh enrollments in higher education, whereas Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra secured the second and the third places respectively with 32.1 and 30.8 lakh enrollments. Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 46.7 lakh enrolments, followed by Tamil Nadu (32.1 lakh), Maharashtra (30.8 lakh), Karnataka (18.6 lakh) and West Bengal (16.6 lakh).

According to the data, only 14 lakh people out of a total population of 68 lakh (above 15 years of age) have finished their three-year degree course in the state – most of them pursued technical streams.

This figure is abysmally low, considering that the ASHE report has listed Telangana as the State with the highest number colleges in India. For every 1,818 people, the State has one college and for every one lakh students, there are 54 institutes – the highest among all the States. AP and Karnataka follow with 44 institutes each.

The report also highlighted enrollment in different stages of higher education across the country. Highest enrollment was reported at the under-graduate level (79.2%), followed by post-graduate (11.4%) and diploma (7.3%) programmes. Similar trend was reported in the enrollment in Telangana as well. Under-graduate courses received the highest level of enrollment (80.1%), followed by post-graduate courses (14.6%)and diplomas (4.1%).

Education experts attribute this to the widespread exploitation of the fee reimbursement scheme – introduced by the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government – which has led to a spurt in private colleges. However, since last year, the State government has stopped giving permissions for new colleges. In 2013, the then AP government issued permissions to 300 colleges.

The report observes that the fee reimbursement scheme has turned into a tool for colleges to "milk the government." It also points out that the scheme has led to the mushrooming of private colleges in the State. Standing testimony to this is the ASHE report, which states that 82.2% of colleges in Telangana are private unaided institutions.

While Hyderabad is the educational hub, Karimnagar beats all other districts in the number of graduates it holds. Nearly 23.56% (52,034) of Karimnagar's residents (total population 2.2 lakh) are graduates (or more) as compared to 22.62% (12 lakh) in Hyderabad (total population including Secunderabad area is 53 lakh). Neighbouring districts such as Nalgonda and Warangal also have better figures with 22.94% and 20% respectively. Although there are a large number of private colleges in Telangana, the quality of education imparted remains a major concern. And this is reflected in the AICTE’s decision to suspend approvals for several colleges last year.