Common School System will erase inequalities in education: Prof Narasimha Reddy

Hyderabad: D Narasimha Reddy, former Professor of Economics at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), emphasized the significance of a ‘common school system’ as a robust strategy to mitigate the escalating disparities in access to quality education. Speaking during the ‘Waheeduddin Khan Memorial Lecture’ organized by CESS, Reddy highlighted the widening educational divide prevalent within the middle class, whose ability to afford essential entitlements like education and healthcare appears to be diminishing.

Reddy pointed out that the inequality in higher education is a direct consequence of the increasing income disparity, particularly since the year 2000. He asserted that the repercussions of this educational inequality are detrimental to the broader objectives of inclusive growth and stressed that the foundation for educational equality lies in basic schooling.

Drawing upon findings from various rounds of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) studies, Reddy illustrated trends in the enrollment ratio in higher education among different social groups from 1993-94 to 2017-18. He also delved into the rural-urban disparity in the distribution of students across various types of higher education institutions, examining the differences by caste and religious groups.

Reddy presented empirical evidence highlighting the persisting gaps in educational opportunities in higher education for diverse social and religious groups. The data revealed that disparities endured, with the category labeled as ‘Others’ occupying the top position and Scheduled Tribes (ST) at the bottom. Notably, gender gaps, rural-urban divides, and economic class or income gaps were evident within all social groups.

One striking observation from the empirical data was the educational disparity within the Muslim Other Backward Classes (OBC) group. Despite having a lower poverty rate, their attendance rate at higher education institutions was lower compared to Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, non-Muslim OBCs, and Muslim Upper class. The meeting, chaired by Prof. Dilip M Nachane, Chairman of CESS, aimed to shed light on the pressing issue of educational inequality in higher education.