Marginalised by caste, marginalised in education

/ Editorials, English /

Marginalised by caste, marginalised in education

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Topic : GS2 – Social Justice – Education

Context

  • This points to systemic inequality in the access to education by marginalized students in India.
  • The high fee structure at institutions like IITs and IIMs discourages Dalits and underprivileged students with economic and social facades.
  • The persistence of caste-based discrimination and employment-related problems further emphasizes the necessity of systemic reforms.

Supreme Court Intervention in Atul Kumar’s Case

  • Case Overview: Atul Kumar, a Scheduled Caste student, lost his IIT Dhanbad seat due to an inability to pay the ₹17,500 seat booking fee.
  • Supreme Court Action: The Supreme Court intervened under Article 142, allowing his admission.
  • Broader Issue: Many deserving students face similar financial barriers, losing out on educational opportunities.

Rising Tuition Fees

  • Significant Increases: Government policies have led to dramatic fee hikes:
  • IIT undergraduate fees surged from ₹90,000 to ₹3 lakh (200% increase since 2016).
  • IIM fees also rose substantially (e.g., IIM-Lucknow by 29.6%).
  • IIT-Delhi doubled M.Tech semester fees from ₹26,450 to ₹53,100 (2022-23).
  • Impact on Access: Rising costs make higher education increasingly unattainable for marginalized students, despite limited assistance like the Vidyalakshmi scheme.

Impact on Marginalised Students

  • Financial Barriers: Escalating education costs disproportionately affect marginalized communities, hindering access even for high-achieving students.
  • Mental Health Crisis: Financial stress has led to 122 student suicides in IITs and IIMs from 2014 to 2021.

High Dropout Rates

  • Widespread Dropouts: Many students leave due to financial challenges:
  • In 2017-2018, 2,461 students dropped out of IITs.
  • Over five years, over 13,500 SC, ST, and OBC students dropped out of central universities and institutes.

Historical and Ongoing Caste-Based Barriers

  • Job Market Limitations: Dalits often face low-paying jobs, continuing their economic marginalization.
  • Skewed Faculty Representation: In IITs, 95% of faculty members are upper-caste; many departments lack SC, ST, or OBC representation.

Persistent Challenges for Dalit Students

  • Social Struggles: Despite legal protections, Dalit students encounter poverty, discrimination, and prejudice, contributing to emotional distress.
  • Casteism in Education: Institutions, such as IIT Bombay, exhibit caste-based discrimination, impacting students’ experiences and wellbeing.

Employment Challenges for Marginalised Students

  • High Unemployment Rates: In 2024, 38% of IIT graduates (around 8,000) were unplaced.
  • Caste Identity Impact: For marginalized groups, caste further complicates job prospects.

Conclusion

  • Need for Reform: It is crucial to address rising fees, caste discrimination, and employment disparities to create a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape.