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The spread of education in society is at the foundation of success in countries…

CLAT 2014 · English Language · 10 questions

The spread of education in society is at the foundation of success in countries that are latecomers to development. In the quest for development, primary education is absolutely essential because it creates the base. But higher education is just as important, for it provides the cutting edge. And universities are the life-blood of higher education. Islands of excellence in professional education, such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are valuable complements but cannot be substitutes for universities which provide educational opportunities for people at large. There can be no doubt that higher education has made a significant contribution to economic development, social progress and political democracy in independent India. It is a source of dynamism for the economy. It has created social opportunities for people. It has fostered the vibrant democracy in our polity. It has provided a beginning for the creation of a knowledge society. But it would be mistake to focus on its strengths alone. It has weakenesses that are a cause for serious concern. There is, in fact, a quiet crisis in higher education in India that runs deep. It is not yet discernible simply because there are pockets of excellence, an enormous reservoir of talented young people and an intense competition in the admissions process. And, in some important spheres, we continue to reap the benefits of what was sown in higher education 50 years ago by the founding fathers of the Republic. The reality is that we have miles to go. The proportion of our population, in the age group 18-24 that enters the world of higher education is around 7 per cent, which is only one-half the average for Asia. The opportunities for higher education, in terms of the number of places in universities, are simply not enough in relation to our need. What is more, the quality of higher education in most of our universities requires substantial improvement. It is clear that the system of higher education in India faces serious challenges. It needs a systematic overhaul, so that we can educate much larger numbers without diluting academic standards. This is imperative because the transformation of economy and society in the 21st century would depend, in significant part on the spread and the quality of education among our people particularly in the sphere of higher education. It is only an inclusive society that can provide the foundations for a knowledge society. The challenges that confront higher education in India are clear. It need a massive expansion of opportunities for higher education, to 1500 universities nationwide, that would enable India to attain a gross enrolment ration of at least 15 percent by 2015. It is just as important to raise the average quality of higher education in every sphere. At the same time, it is essential to create institutions that are exemplars of excellence at par with the best in the world. In the pursuit of these objectives, providing people with access to higher education in a socially inclusive manner is imperative. The realisation of these objectives, combined with access, would not only develop the skills and capabilities we need for the economy but would also help transform India into a knowledge economy and society.

Question 4

According to the passage, which one of the following is Incorrect?
  1. A. there are no quality institutes providing excellent professional education in India
  2. B. not many people go for higher education in India
  3. C. education is the basis of success
  4. D. all the above options are correct.

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Question 5

According to the passage, the current state of affairs of higher education in India is:
  1. A. satisfactory
  2. B. excellent, and there is no need of any expansion of opportunities for higher education
  3. C. Not good enough, and there is a need of expansion of opportunities for higher education, besides creating institutions and universities that are models of excellence.
  4. D. Not explained in the passage.

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Question 6

According to the passage, which of the following is not a challenge that confronts higher education in India?
  1. A. expanding opportunities for higher education
  2. B. creating institutions and universities that are exemplars of excellence
  3. C. Substantial improvement in the quality of higher education in most of our universities.
  4. D. Getting into world university rankings.

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Question 7

According to the passage, which of the following is correct?
  1. A. primary education is very important
  2. B. universities are the life-blood of higher education
  3. C. transformation of economy and society in the 21st century would depend, in significant part, on the spread and the quality of education among our people particularly in the sphere of higher education
  4. D. all the above propositions are correct

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Question 8

Should the entire university in India be modeled on premier institutes, such as, IITs and IIMs, providing professional education?
  1. A. yes
  2. B. for sure
  3. C. no
  4. D. the passage is silent on this question

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