Education is a fundamental right for all citizens in India, but for marginalised communities, access to higher education remains a challenge due to various social, economic, and cultural barriers. The government’s efforts to provide equal access to higher education have not yielded the desired results, and local institutions, such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community organisations, have emerged as critical players in bridging the gap. This article investigates local institutions’ involvement in higher education for marginalised communities and examines why the government has failed to provide adequate representation and access.
According to a recent Ministry of Education report, there is a significant enrollment gap in higher education between Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). According to the report, only 26.3% of SC/ST students are enrolled in higher education, while 47.6% of all students are enrolled. Despite initiatives such as the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme and the National Fellowship for Higher Education of Scheduled Caste Students, the gap has grown over time. These efforts, however, have not been sufficient to close the enrollment gap.
The Government’s Education Policy Is Top-Down
The government’s limited outreach and engagement with marginalised communities is a major reason for its failure to provide adequate representation and access to higher education. The government’s approach to education has been top-down, with policies and schemes designed without proper consultation with the communities they aim to benefit. As a result, the government has failed to address systemic discrimination and bias in educational institutions that affect marginalised communities.
Furthermore, policy implementation has been hampered by a variety of factors, including corruption, bureaucratic roadblocks, and a lack of political will. Corruption is a major issue in the implementation of educational policies in India, with funds intended for education frequently syphoned off by corrupt officials. Bureaucratic barriers, such as delays in processing applications and disbursement of funds, also impede policy implementation. Furthermore, the government’s failure to provide equal access to higher education for marginalised communities has been exacerbated by a lack of political will to implement policies effectively and address the root causes of educational disparities.
In contrast to the government’s top-down approach to education, local institutions such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other organisations have a more comprehensive understanding of the ground realities and needs of marginalised communities. As exemplified by NGOs such as Pratham and Educate Girls, these organisations have been able to identify educational barriers and provide customised solutions, resulting in successful enrollment of girls in schools by addressing cultural barriers and providing remedial education.
Similarly, organisations such as the Dalit Shiksha Andolan have been successful in their advocacy efforts to provide education to marginalised communities. Youth for Self and Social Change (YSSC), a non-profit organisation based in Nagpur, has been dedicated to promoting overall personality development of students from North Nagpur slums in order for them to gain admission to India’s premier higher education institutions. Since 2009, the organisation has successfully increased the number of students admitted to such institutions from North Nagpur slums.
The involvement of local institutions in addressing the educational challenges faced by marginalised communities is not without challenges. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other organisations frequently face funding constraints, limiting their ability to scale their interventions. To address this, the government must recognise the importance of the work done by local institutions and provide them with adequate resources and support.
Furthermore, collaboration between the government and local institutions is required. The government can use local institutions’ expertise and knowledge to develop and implement policies that are responsive to the needs of marginalised communities. Local institutions can also help with monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of policies.