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Education in Economic Perspective
55
On the other hand, it is paradoxical to point out that there is a world-wide frustration among the educated youth and socio-economic forces are playing havoc, and consequently, student unrest has emerged on the world scene. Student frustration is largely related to the lack of employment opportunities or to the fact of rising expectations which remain unfulfilled owing to economic and occuptational growth failing to keep pace. The main lacuna in the present educational system is an absence of direct link between education and employment. In the present situation, when the output in some sectors far exceeds the possibilities of employment, efforts should be made to achieve a balance in a few selected sectors where members are manageable. It is necessary to prepare an integrated plan of development so that every job is filled with a trained personnel.
The country is suffering from a triple inflation : (1) The most serious is that of population; (2) The inflation of money which has played havoc with the economy; and (3) The third is that of education.
The annual requirements of the country in respect of additions to the national stock of higher educated man-power should be assessed in advance with as much precision and firmness as may be found practicable. The main occupational categories are :
(1) Higher educated teaching man-power; (2) Engineering man-power; (3) Scientific and technical man-power; (4) Agricultural and Veterinary specialists; and (5) Public administration and managerial man-power.
Arrangements are necessary to ensure that higher educated man-power may not remain unemployed or wastefully employed. It was also hinted by ex-President V. V. Giri that the supply of educated and techincal man-power has not been tailored to the needs of a dynamic economy.
As man-power is not homogeneous, man-power planning has to concern itself with different categories, such as technologists, doctors, engineers, managers and crafts-men each having its own level of education and specialisation; wastages should be reduced to the minimum. Optional utilisation of man-power, skilled and unskilled, is called for and the 'open door' policy of unrestricted admission to higher education needs a practical approach.
CONCLUSION The situation is alarming in the country. The country's economy faces a great challenge in the educated surpluses. Self-employment is the dire need. For that an inter-disciplinary approach to education and economic growth needs very thoughtful action at this juncture. A highly educated elite on hiearchical pattern is out of question; general masses are to be provided ample opportunities of education. A selective approach in diverting human resorces into right channels is a paramount question. It is a test of the government policy and its implementation.
1
V. V. Giri, Jobs for our millions, Hindusthan Tim:s, March 9, 1970, p. 7.
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