India’s Commercialization of Education

 

Introduction:

The commercialization of education in India is a relatively recent phenomenon. It derives from the educational sector reforms of the past two decades. It manifests in thriving private schools, public schools, private colleges, and at the level of higher education. The commercialization of education introduces a monetary element, affecting millions of families. Additionally, it alters the conventional notion of education. The socioeconomic development of a country has an impact on the education sector. Modernization and globalization have also altered attitudes around teaching and learning.

What Is Education’s Commercialization?

Commercialization is the process of introducing a product to the wider marketplace. The commercialization of education occurs when the humanities are given less importance and the needs of students are prioritized. Thus, education becomes increasingly business-oriented. Commercialization causes schools to compete to deliver quality education at an affordable cost. Commercialization of education places educational direction in the hands of students and educators.

Motives for India’s Commercialization of Education:

The quantity of money invested in education is the fundamental reason for the commercialization of education. It is considered that the greater a school's popularity, the better education it gives. This attitude is prevalent throughout India. Moreover, India faces intense worldwide competition in the education industry. Therefore, institutions have embraced the policy of increasing tuition to increase enrolment. Due to a lack of funding, the government is unable to prevent such misconduct. With the entry of for-profit universities from abroad, Indian universities face increased pressure to raise their tuition rates.

With the expansion in population, the number of private educational institutions in India has increased, contributing to the commercialization of education in India. The yearly increase in the number of students pursuing secondary school in India represents an excellent potential for educational institutions with a financial motive. Even while the government provides elementary education and certain subsidies for higher educational institutions, the educational sector is highly privatized.

Merits of Education’s Commercialization:

While the commercialization of education has some drawbacks, it also has numerous benefits. The following are some of the benefits.

  • Employment Possibility: Commercialization of education improves career prospects. As a result of the fact that many private schools offer courses that prepare students for employment and lead to the articulation of their talents, it assures them employment. As a result of the commercialization of education, numerous organizations such as the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) provide students the chance to study professional courses in foreign schools. Additionally, professors and lecturers pursue employment prospects abroad. Thus, the commercialization of education decreases the nation's unemployment rate.
  • Economic Development: The commercialization of education promotes economic growth. The commercialization of education contributes to the improvement of literacy rates, a key indicator of economic progress. In addition, commercialization increases the country's gross domestic product, an additional metric of economic development. Therefore, the commercialization of education adds to a nation's economic growth.
  • Capacity To Overcome Global Obstacles: The commercialization of education contributes to the solution of global problems. The global issues include modernization, industrialization, privatization, globalization, and information, among others. Commercialization of education facilitates students' acquisition of pertinent information regarding the advantages of innovation. The development of an international information network, the importance of the English language, and other factors contribute to the commercialization of training, which aids students in acquiring pertinent knowledge about the advantages of innovation. The problems, how to overcome them, how to aid others, and so on, add interest to practical preparation. Consequently, numerous educational institutions have modified their curricula and instructional strategies to match the emerging global challenges.
  • Personality Formation: The commercialization of education promotes the students' personality development. Students received a formal education due to the commercialization of education. Students are supplied with or instructed in moral education to enhance their character which includes subjects such as moral science. This contributes to the development of pupils' personalities. 

Conclusion:

India's education sector, society, and economic progress are adversely impacted by privatization and commercialization. Education is impossible absent privatization and commercialization. The purpose of education is to bring out a student's potential by providing them with the optimal physical and social environment to help them realize their maximum potential. However, education is an industry, and the commercialization and privatization of education will not change. Finally, we may argue that for these individuals, education has become a means of making money rather than a means of providing students with a quality education.

Written by Chitraksh Mayank

 


 

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