None of our Universities finds a place in the top One hundred universities of the world. Most of the first hundred are in the US. UK, Japan and even S Korean Universities find a place in the list.

Here, politics play a crucial role in the functioning of Universities, right from the appointment of Vice-Chancellors. Our children are not able to pursue the subject that interests them most. In fact they have no say in the choice of subjects.

At the School level, things are even worse. Language of course is a major hurdle in our scheme of things. A student in Kuzhithurai in Kanyakumari district will not be able to join a school in Neyyattinkarai, just twenty kilometers away in neighbouring Kerala. Similar is the plight of a student in Hosur who wants to switch over to a school in Bengaluru.

From the school level to college, the switch over is extremely difficult, complicated and thorny. The student will have to move into English medium. That is why only a small percentage of school students are able to enter the portals of colleges.

In this context the concern expressed by our Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Kapil Sibal at a function in Chennai yesterday is very pertinent. He rued the state of education in the country, saying only a small percentage of students pursue higher education and many graduates do not get proper jobs after completing college.
‘Only around 12 per cent of school-going children in India pursue higher education, compared to some developed countries, where the figure is around 70 per cent. Many students with graduation or post graduation in some arts courses cannot find proper jobs in India. Reforms in education with flexibility being an integral part of it are a must. Children should be allowed to select their choice of subjects. This does not happen in India, which makes us think a lot about our education system," he said.

Well said, Mr Minister. But, what is the solution?