Enrollment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in higher education has shown an improvement at 4.2%, 11.9%, and 4%, respectively. But, enrollment of Muslim students has witnessed an alarming 8% drop
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — There is an urgent need for government steps to arrest the declining enrollment of Muslims in institutes of higher learning. Besides, the government should initiate swift measures to establish universities in Minority Concentrated Districts (MCDs) such as Kishanganj (Bihar), Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh) etc., Shiksha Samvad ’23, an initiative launched here on Tuesday said.
The nationwide initiative focuses on addressing disparities and promoting equal opportunities in the field of education. It was jointly organised by the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) and the Centre for Educational Research & Training (CERT).
It also called for strict enforcement of anti-discrimination measures in educational institutions, prevention of the saffronisation of education, and implementation of effective strategies to promote enrollment rates among the Muslim community.
Prof. Nivedita Menon, a writer and a professor of political thought at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said as a transformative process that fosters rational thinking and unlocks opportunities, education should be accessible to all. “However, the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-21 has exposed a disheartening reality. While enrollment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in higher education has shown an improvement at 4.2%, 11.9%, and 4%, respectively, the enrollment of Muslim students has witnessed an alarming 8% drop, equivalent to approximately 180,000 students, compared to the previous year,” she said.
She also emphasised the underlying causes of this concerning decline, stating: “The biased labour market, as revealed by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy report, reflects discriminatory practices that result in lower employment rates among Muslims. Furthermore, the increasing violence faced by the community has severely restricted their mobility, leading to a process of ghettoisation, hindering their access to quality education.”
Fawaz Shaheen, a researcher associated with Quill Foundation, addressed the inadequate representation of Muslim teachers in higher education institutions, as highlighted by the AISHE findings, further compounding the issue. “While teachers from the general category comprise 56% of the total, OBC, SC, and ST teachers account for 32%, 9%, and 2.5%, respectively, with only 5.6% representing the Muslim community. Gender disparity is also evident, with 75 women teachers for every 100 male teachers, whereas female representation among Muslim teachers stands at only 59 women per 100 male Muslim teachers. Non-teaching staff also exhibit significant gender imbalances, with the Muslim community having the lowest female-to-male ratio at 34 females per 100 males,” he explained.
Drawing attention to the Sachar Committee Report submitted in 2006, which highlighted the educational status of Muslims as comparable to, if not worse than, that of the country’s most disadvantaged communities, Abdullah Faiz, National Secretary of SIO, emphasised the pressing need for immediate action. “The current dropout rate of Muslim students stands at 23.1%, surpassing the national average, necessitating focused policies and programs to uplift and support Muslim students in their pursuit of higher education,” he stated.
Dr. Roshan Mohiddin, Director of CERT, explained the comprehensive set of initiatives undertaken by Shiksha Samvad to address these educational disparities. “From round-table meets and career guidance programs to skill development workshops, scholarship assistance, and mentorship programs, the event strives to create a supportive ecosystem that empowers students and bridges the existing gaps,” he elaborated.
