Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.

The most consequential migration from Kerala today is no longer just of workers; it is increasingly of students. The Kerala Migration Survey 2023 estimated nearly 2.5 lakh student emigrants from the state, underscoring a profound shift in educational aspirations. 

While their departure reflects growing ambition and global mobility, it also raises an uncomfortable question: why are so many of Kerala's brightest young people choosing to pursue their futures elsewhere? The answer lies partly in a higher education ecosystem that has struggled to keep pace with the expectations of a generation raised in one of India's most educated societies.

Kerala's higher education system already rests on a strong foundation: the state records a Gross Enrolment Ratio of 41.3 per cent—far above the national average of 28.4 per cent—along with over 10.99 lakh students in higher education, women constituting nearly 60 per cent of enrolment, and a Gender Parity Index of 1.44, among the highest in the country. Yet an increasing number of students are choosing to pursue their careers elsewhere. The challenge, therefore, is not merely to curb academic migration but to build institutions that attract talent rather than export it, transforming higher education into a driver of economic growth.

The policy announcements in the Governor's address last month, including the proposal to establish an Academic Syndicate as an apex coordinating body for higher education governance, the introduction of a "Semester in Kerala" programme, a statewide apprenticeship exchange, and measures to ensure uniform recognition of UGC-approved degrees, indicate that policymakers recognise the urgency of reform. However, administrative restructuring alone cannot address decades-old structural weaknesses; Kerala must undertake deeper institutional reforms if it is to emerge as a genuine global education destination. 

Recent policy initiatives are a step forward, but a far more ambitious vision is needed.

From mass education to world class education

Kerala's educational achievements are substantial, with high literacy, strong enrolment and relatively equitable access to higher education. Yet access alone does not guarantee excellence. Recognising this, the 2022 Higher Education Reforms Commission called for a fundamental transformation of the sector through greater academic autonomy, flexibility, innovation, research and stronger links with the knowledge economy. It argued that Kerala must move beyond an affiliated-college, examination-driven model and develop universities as centres of knowledge creation, entrepreneurship and skills, supported by autonomy and accountability.

This diagnosis remains relevant as Kerala's higher education system continues to grapple with excessive bureaucratic control, outdated curricula, fragmented governance and weak industry linkages. These challenges are reflected in declining enrolment across several government and aided institutions, driven by changing student preferences, outmigration and demand for programmes with stronger employment prospects. While Kerala's universities have produced generations of accomplished professionals, few have emerged as globally recognised research institutions or attracted significant international faculty, partnerships and innovation, leaving the state's presence limited in the upper tiers of major global university rankings.

The experience of Singapore, Finland, South Korea and Ireland shows that knowledge economies are built not merely by expanding access to higher education but by creating globally competitive........

© The News Minute