The state of higher education

However, the quality and accessibility of these institutions vary greatly, with private colleges often falling short of providing a truly enriching and transformative educational experience for students.

This paper wants to look closer at the key issues in Indian higher education, particularly private colleges. By examining what happened at Galgotias University and other similar cases, It aims to highlight the systemic flaws that need quick reforms and action from the government. My focus is on safety, discipline, infrastructure, and overall quality. The current state of private colleges in India needs serious improvement.

Historical Context 

After India became independent in 1947, the focus was on setting up public universities to have more educated citizens and support nation-building. The government funded and managed these institutions heavily, aiming to provide higher education to many people.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the number of public colleges and universities grew bit by bit. But this was slower than the rapidly rising demand for higher education. By the 1980s, it was clear the government alone could not meet the needs of so many young Indians wanting to study further. This led to slowly allowing private institutions also into higher education.

The 1990s policies to allow more private colleges really sped up their growth. By 2023, private institutions were a major part of Indian higher education. Data shows that over 77% of all colleges and universities in India are now private (Times of India) (Education for All in India)​. This huge rise is because more Indians want higher education while public institutions are seen as having problems like bad infrastructure and too much government control.

The increase in private colleges is both a response to and a driver of changing socio-economic conditions in India. Some key reasons are: the desire for quality education that private colleges are seen as providing, and the growing middle class ready to spend on education. Private institutions have come up across India, giving many course choices aimed at matching the needs of a rapidly changing job market (Press Information Bureau)​.

But while there are now many more private colleges, there is still debate about their quality and fairness. Some private institutions deliver outstanding education and facilities. But many others focus mainly on making money and provide quite poor education. This uneven quality raises worries about how privatization is affecting Indian higher education overall.

Quality of Education 

One big problem faced by Indian colleges, especially private ones, is very poor infrastructure. This means not having proper facilities, enough classrooms, laboratories, and basic resources. Around 40% of India's colleges lack good infrastructure, badly affecting education quality (India Today)

In many private colleges, the situation is really bad. Libraries, which are key for research and learning, are either poorly stocked or not there at all. Science and engineering labs often miss necessary equipment and supplies. This not only brings down education quality but also demotivates students and teachers, who have to work in poor conditions.

Not having enough classrooms is another major issue. Crowded classrooms, with way more students than the room can fit, are very common. This overcrowding makes it hard for teachers to interact with students properly and for students to concentrate on their studies. No space to sit also leads to a cluttered environment, which does not allow good education.

Another big problem for Indian higher education is not having enough qualified teachers. Over 50% of faculty positions in colleges are empty, and many current teachers also lack proper qualifications (The Hindu). Missing so many qualified professors leads to a high student-teacher ratio, bringing down education quality.

Especially in private colleges, underqualified faculty is a major worry. Many institutions hire teachers without the needed academic credentials or teaching experience. This happens because of private colleges prioritizing cutting costs over quality education. So, students suffer as they are taught by people who are not experts in the subjects.

Also, even qualified teachers don't get proper training. Colleges hire good teachers but fail to train them or help their professional development. So outdated teaching styles continue, and new, innovative methods are rarely introduced.

The number of students per faculty is also too high in many Indian colleges, particularly private ones. This makes it impossible for teachers to give individual attention, understand student needs, and promote good learning. Heavy teaching loads also overload faculty, causing burnout and further lowering teaching standards.

Another big issue is that what students study is not useful for jobs today. Many colleges still follow old syllabi that don't teach practical skills needed now. One study found that 80% of engineering graduates in India can't be employed since the curriculum is outdated and lacks real-world skills (Aspiring Minds).

In many private colleges, the course content has not changed in years and does not match the fast-changing industry needs. This means students graduate without abilities employers want - like problem-solving, critical thinking, and practical knowledge, which are key in today's competitive jobs.

Not focusing on practical abilities and hands-on experience is a major drawback. Theory is useful, but applying skills in real situations is vital. Many private colleges fail to provide internships, projects, and lab work to gain practical exposure. This is a key reason graduates struggle to find jobs after finishing their degree.

Also, colleges rarely collaborate with industry. Private institutions especially operate separately from job market expectations and needs. So the curriculum not only gets outdated but also becomes useless for getting employed. There is an urgent need to keep updating courses as per industry trends and equip students with skills for modern workplace demands.