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The All-India Survey of Higher Education for the academic session 2021-22, which was released by the Ministry of Education earlier this year, showed a positive trend in the gross enrolment ratio (GER) over the years, with the national average touching a new high of 28.4 percent in 2021-22, as against 23.7 percent in 2014-15, 24.6 percent in 2017-18 and 27.3 percent in 2020-21. The survey also showed an increase in GER among the STs, SCs, OBCs as well as the north-eastern states, though they have yet to catch up with the rest of the population. This consistent increase in the number of students enrolled in higher education across the country is encouraging. However, Nagaland, which has a 79.55 percent literacy rate, has one of the lowest GER among the Indian states at 18.8 percent, which is way below the national average of 28.4 percent and only next to Jharkhand (18.6 percent), Bihar (17.1 percent) and Assam (16.9 percent). The survey may not give accurate data as only those in the 18-23 years age group based on the 2011 census is considered, but it still serves as a key indicator of young people pursuing higher education. Moreover, states and union territories that do not have higher education institutions are bound to have low GER, as is the case with Lakshadweep -- 1.1 percent enrolment -- which is due to the lack of higher educational institutions there. Nagaland also falls into this category of states and UTs, having received its first medical college only last year.
With negligible educational institutions that offer professional courses like engineering and medicine, among others, it is only natural for students from Nagaland to migrate to other states to pursue the courses of their choice as well as for quality education. To improve the GER, the central and state governments should establish higher education institutes that offer multi-disciplinary courses and improve infrastructure. Other issues, including teachers’ shortages and the unequal distribution of colleges within the state, need to be addressed without delay in order to arrest the possible increase in dropout rate and migration of students to other states. By investing in the education sector and providing young minds the opportunity to pursue the courses of their choice in their home state, the government can achieve two things – retain students from the state and attract those from other states. Such a move will boost the state’s economy. The availability of human resources will also attract investors from across the world. The ultimate aim should be to transform Nagaland into an education hub.