Goa’s gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education stands at 35.8%, with a breakdown of 36% for males and 35.5% for females, according to the latest All India Survey on Higher Education for 2021-22. Although this figure is significantly above the national average of 28.4%, it still leaves a substantial gap for Goa to meet the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 target of achieving a 50% GER by 2035.
Compared to states like Tamil Nadu, where the GER has already reached around 47%, Goa has a considerable distance to cover. The state has seen only a marginal increase of about one percent over the previous year in the 18-24 age group.
Former Goa University registrar Vijayendra Kamat pointed out that Goa has not yet conducted a comprehensive study on dropout rates at the secondary and higher secondary levels — a critical factor in improving GER. “Goa is a small state with limited student numbers. A significant number of students drop out between the primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels. Though there are improvements, the current planning does not seem sufficient to bridge the gap to 50% GER,” Kamat stated.
He further emphasized that without strengthening the educational foundation, achieving the GER target would remain out of reach. Kamat criticized the administration, saying, “They paint a rosy picture, but serious efforts to understand dropout rates or create actionable documents in the last 15-20 years are missing. Additionally, the new courses being introduced often prioritize economic returns for colleges over genuine educational advancement.”
Former state director of higher education, Bhaskar Nayak, highlighted that Goa’s unique sociological realities complicate the issue. “Many Goan students prefer vocational courses like hotel management after Class X and then seek employment abroad, particularly on cruise ships. They contribute significantly to Goa’s foreign remittances, so the lower GER isn’t entirely negative,” Nayak explained.
He questioned the focus on GER numbers alone, stating, “If students pursue degrees that don’t lead to employment locally, raising GER will not be meaningful.” Nayak also noted that around 500 engineering seats and many general stream seats go vacant annually in Goa, reflecting challenges beyond mere enrolment.
Citing a recent report, Nayak pointed out that basic educational standards are under strain, with some school mathematics teachers scoring as low as four marks in a Class X-level test. “Issues like teacher competency are critical and need urgent attention,” he added.
Looking ahead, several private universities are expected to start operations in Goa. However, Nayak cautioned that unless they attract a substantial number of students from outside the state rather than just shifting existing local students between institutions, the GER might not improve substantially. “Even if GER improves by bringing in outside students, it won’t be a proud moment unless it represents genuine educational growth for Goans,” he said.
As Goa strives to align with NEP goals, addressing foundational challenges like dropout rates, vocational education preferences, and local employability will be essential to achieving sustainable progress in higher education.
