Union Minister of State (MoS) for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, has stated that there is no concept of dropping out in higher education, as students have multiple options to migrate between courses and programs. He shared this information in a written response in Rajya Sabha, addressing concerns regarding dropout and suicide rates in IITs, NITs, IIMs, and central universities.
Government Measures to Enhance Higher Education Access
Majumdar emphasized that the government has implemented several initiatives to increase accessibility and support students in higher education. These include:
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Financial assistance and scholarships, such as the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Scheme.
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Fee waivers and study loans, including the PM-Vidyalakshmi Scheme.
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Expansion of educational institutions and student support systems, including counseling cells and grievance redressal mechanisms.
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Remedial coaching and digital learning initiatives like SWAYAM, National Digital Library (NDL), and e-PG Pathshala.
NEP 2020 Reforms: Flexible Learning Pathways
With the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the government has introduced academic reforms such as:
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Multiple entry and exit options to allow students to switch courses seamlessly.
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Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) for credit accumulation and transfer.
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Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) to offer greater curriculum flexibility.
Addressing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
The government is taking multi-pronged measures to support students’ mental and emotional well-being. The MANODARPAN initiative, launched by the Ministry of Education, provides:
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Psychological support for students, teachers, and families.
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Counseling services to address academic stress and mental health challenges.
By enhancing flexibility in education, expanding student support systems, and promoting mental well-being, the government aims to ensure that students can navigate their academic journeys without being categorized as dropouts.
