Hyderabad, March 15: A recent study conducted by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, Delhi University, has revealed that Telangana stands out as the state with the highest Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of Muslim students pursuing higher education in India. According to the study, Telangana boasts an impressive GER of 33.6%, surpassing Tamil Nadu, which holds the second position with a GER of 27.6%.
The findings shed light on the educational landscape for Muslim youth, particularly in the 18 to 23 years age group, across various states in India. However, the study also underscores challenges faced by Muslim students, especially those from government schools, in accessing opportunities in fields like medicine and engineering. There is a need to address issues related to reservation and enhance support structures to propel the state toward achieving a higher GER in the future. The report further reveals that within Telangana, the GER among Muslim female students slightly outstrips that of boys, with girls recording a GER of 34% compared to boys at 33%.
According to educational experts, these numbers indicate significant progress within the Muslim community over the years. They also highlight the increasing trend of students continuing their education beyond Class 12, particularly in commerce and arts fields such as BBA, BA, and BCom. While experts acknowledge Telangana’s commendable performance in Muslim higher education enrollment, they stress the need for continued efforts to improve overall enrollment ratios. Some of the areas that require renewed focus are better infrastructure, quality teaching, and exposure to extracurricular activities to provide students with diverse opportunities.
