Emerging challenges in implementation of higher education in Punjab a comparative study of rural and urban colleges in district Ludhiana

Abstract

The present study was carried out to study challenges facing higher education in Punjab by doing a comparative study between rural and urban colleges in district Ludhiana. The study revealed the following results: Higher education in Punjab is not according to emerging needs of society in rural and urban colleges in district Ludhiana. There are large scale disparities in rural and urban colleges of district Ludhiana as regards higher education scenario. There are no infrastructural differences in rural and urban colleges of district Ludhiana. There are professional/vocational courses apart from regular courses introduced in rural and urban colleges of district Ludhiana to enhance the professional and vocational skills of the students. There is no interface between higher education institutions and industry in rural and urban colleges of district Ludhiana in the wake of privatization. There is no financial support given by Punjab government from time to time to overcome acute shortage of teachers, faculty salaries, regarding recruitment of new teachers in rural and urban colleges of district Ludhiana. There are better employment opportunities for students in urban based higher education institutions as compared to rural students. There is variation in the gender enrolment data in rural and urban colleges of district Ludhiana.