The slow descent of State-run varsities into oblivion in Andhra Pradesh

Despite a good number of State-run universities and many students opting for higher education, Andhra Pradesh’s universities seem to be slowly perishing due to a severe fund crunch and staff shortage; most of them are functioning with only 20 percent of sanctioned staff strength

With over 30 State-run universities, Andhra Pradesh stands among the top States in the country that provide a standard of Higher Education.

The latest report of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE 2020-21) reveals that the State’s Gross Enrolment Ratio is 37.2, much higher than the national average of 27.3, indicating that a good number of students from the State prefer to pursue higher education.

However, most State-run universities in Andhra Pradesh, some established in the pre-independence era, are plagued by issues that pose a massive disadvantage to these educational bodies trying to stay afloat in the competitive field of higher education.

The thrusting of Andhra Pradesh into the elite group of top States with the highest number of universities in the country began after Mr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the National Knowledge Commission (NKC), made a series of recommendations in 2005 to innovate and upgrade the educational system in India.

The NKC was a high-level advisory body reporting directly to India’s then Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. Mr. Pitroda had submitted around 300 recommendations, focussing on 27 key areas.

One such recommendation was the setting up of at least one university in every district across the country.

Adhering to the NKC recommendations, the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy initiated the process and a number of public or State-run universities were opened across the undivided Andhra Pradesh.