Bihar is facing a significant challenge in terms of higher education enrollment. The state has one of the lowest Gross Enrollment Ratios (GER) in the country, standing at just 17%. This is significantly lower than the national average of 28.4%. One of the primary reasons for this poor performance is believed to be the lack of participation from the state’s educational institutions in important national surveys. The Ministry of Education’s All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) is one such survey that provides critical data on higher education, but many institutions in Bihar have not been participating in it. This has resulted in a lack of data on students in these institutions, further contributing to the low GER.
Colleges Not Participating in the Survey Identified
The state’s education department recently conducted an investigation and found that many colleges in Bihar, including degree colleges, nursing schools, and pharmacy institutions, did not participate in the AISHE. A total of 44 colleges were identified for not taking part in the survey. Among these, 10 are degree colleges, 32 are nursing institutes, and 2 are pharmacy colleges. The education department has made it clear that strict actions will be taken against these institutions.
Action Against Non-Participating Institutions
The Ministry of Education has emphasized that institutions failing to participate in the AISHE survey will face severe consequences. As part of the planned action, the accreditation of 10 degree colleges in Bihar that did not participate in the survey will be revoked. These colleges will no longer be able to operate under the state’s higher education system, as their non-participation in the survey directly impacts the data collection process. The department believes that the lack of accurate data is one of the major reasons behind the state’s low GER.
Bihar’s GER Performance Compared to Other States
Bihar’s GER currently stands at a mere 17.1%. This means that out of every 100 students who complete school education, only 17 enroll in higher education. This is significantly lower compared to neighboring states such as Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. These states have higher enrollment ratios, making Bihar one of the poorest performers in terms of higher education enrollment in India.
Efforts to Improve Participation in the Survey
The education department had issued clear guidelines urging all public and private higher education institutions in the state to participate in the 2024-25 AISHE survey. Over 39 universities and nearly 1,000 institutions were expected to submit their data for this annual survey. Despite these instructions, many institutions failed to comply, leading to the decision to take action against them.
The education department is also working on sending a formal communication to the health department regarding the 32 nursing and 2 pharmacy institutes that failed to participate in the survey. The lack of participation from these institutions in the survey is one of the key reasons why Bihar’s GER remains so low, and the authorities are taking this issue seriously.
All India Survey on Higher Education: A Crucial Tool
The AISHE has been conducted annually since 2011. This web-based survey collects electronic and online data from educational institutions across India. The survey provides valuable insights that help the Ministry of Education formulate policies and strategies for the development of higher education in the country. The data collected through the AISHE is instrumental in promoting innovation and improving the overall quality of higher education. It also helps to create more effective strategies to address the challenges faced by higher educational institutions.
Positive Changes in Bihar’s Higher Education Participation
Bihar’s higher education sector has shown some improvement in recent years. Out of the total 1,341 higher education institutions in the state, including both government and private colleges, 1,331 institutions participated in the AISHE survey. Additionally, 186 out of 218 nursing colleges participated in the survey, marking the first time such a large number of institutions have uploaded their data. This shows a positive trend towards greater participation in national surveys.
Nationally, the AISHE survey includes data from approximately 1,200 universities and over 45,000 colleges and institutions every year. This broad participation ensures that a comprehensive picture of the country’s higher education landscape is available to policymakers.
Director of Higher Education Comments on the Issue
Dr. N.K. Agarwal, the Director of Higher Education in Bihar, commented on the situation, emphasizing the need for all 39 government and private universities and their associated colleges to participate in the AISHE survey. He noted that despite repeated instructions, more than 40 institutions failed to comply with the survey’s requirements. As a result, these institutions will now face disciplinary action. Among the consequences, 10 affiliated degree colleges will have their recognition revoked, further impacting their ability to operate within the state’s higher education system.
Looking Ahead: Improving Bihar’s Higher Education System
The education department has made it clear that it will continue to push for greater participation in national surveys, as this data is crucial for the development of policies aimed at improving higher education in the state. The lack of participation from educational institutions in Bihar has led to a significant gap in data, which in turn has negatively affected the state’s GER. The revocation of accreditation for non-compliant institutions is just one of the many measures the education department plans to implement to ensure that the state’s higher education system improves in terms of both enrollment and quality.
Bihar’s low GER is a serious concern, and authorities are determined to address it through a combination of better data collection, more effective policies, and greater institutional accountability. By ensuring that educational institutions participate in national surveys like AISHE, the state hopes to improve its standing in terms of higher education enrollment and overall academic development.
the education department’s decision to take action against institutions that have failed to participate in the AISHE survey is a necessary step to address the underlying issues affecting higher education in Bihar. With more institutions now participating in national surveys, there is hope that the state can improve its GER and, in turn, provide more opportunities for its students to pursue higher education.
