RTE Should Extend to Higher Education, Says Mahua Moitra

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has emphasized the need to extend the Right to Education (RTE) Act beyond primary schooling to include higher education, citing disparities in access due to socio-economic factors. She made these remarks at a two-day international conference on higher education held at Loyola College, Chennai, where she addressed academics, scholars, and policymakers on issues of equity, excellence, and sustainability in India’s education system.

Call for Greater Investment in Higher Education

Moitra referenced the Kothari Commission (1966), which had recommended that India allocate at least 6% of its GDP to education. She pointed out that while the country has yet to meet this target, only 1.5% to 4% of this allocation should go toward higher education.

“We must first understand the extent of privilege in accessing education,” Moitra stated. “India is currently spending between 4% and 4.2% of its GDP on education, which is insufficient to bridge the growing gap in higher education access.”

Comparing India and China’s Higher Education Growth

Drawing a comparison with China, Moitra highlighted the stark difference in higher education enrollment.

“China has 70% of students going into higher learning, whereas in India, only 3 out of 10 students pursue higher education,” she said. “This gap demonstrates the urgent need to scale up investment and ensure wider access.”

Concerns Over Vice-Chancellor Appointments

Moitra also raised concerns regarding the increasing centre-state conflicts in appointing vice-chancellors (VCs) in state-funded universities. She questioned the lack of state representation in the VC selection process, despite states bearing financial and administrative responsibilities for these institutions.

“In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, education is highly valued, yet vice-chancellors must be academic leaders rather than mere administrators,” she argued. She warned that politicization of VC appointments could undermine the autonomy and governance of state-funded universities.

Urgent Need for Policy Reforms

Moitra’s speech underscored the importance of education policy reforms focusing on expanding access, increasing financial commitments, and improving governance in higher education. Without these measures, she cautioned, millions of students would continue to face barriers in pursuing higher education opportunities in India.