Whither Science Education in Indian Colleges? Urgent reforms to meet the challenges of a Knowledge Society

This report by the Observer Research Foundation Mumbai titled “Whither Science Education in Indian Colleges?” places its study of tertiary science education in India in the context of reclaiming India’s space in science by strengthening the college education system which is a building block for preparing the human resource needed for scientific advancement. The study involved primary qualitative research that comprised interviews and consultation with major stakeholders like principals, teachers, educationists, students, researchers and employers, and secondary research that included review of existing policy documents and scientific literature.This report identifies several factors responsible for the falling standards of Indian science colleges as centres of learning and research, which need to be urgently addressed.Poor quality of teaching, inadequate infrastructural facilities, inadequate funding, limited employment options, dearth of good science teachers at primary and secondary levels and a serious lack of inspiring academic leadership that conveys a vision for science and research are some of the issues discussed.