Let me put my thoughts on education and privayization.

 

In every country, education, health, infrastructure, social security are public services. (USA is faltering on healthcare front but they started pretty well by Government funded health program. Even now, a big chunk of quality  hospitals are Government funded). The idea behind it is that these should be accessible to all. Every country initiated huge Government funded program in all these areas to ensure that people have equal access. Take China, America, UK etc... all of them initiated Government funded health program, education, infra etc. Indian Government can't simply get away with all the money and avoid the responsbilities.

 

On payment part, how much one pays is the bigger question. It is beyond my comprehension how can IIM charge 12 lakhs per year for MBA education in a country where the average middle class salary (not talking about average income including BPL people) doesn't go beond 1 lakh per year. USA (including poor people) has average income of 40000 USD and the most expensive education costs about 40000-5000 USD per year. How can you justify this bizarre fee structure in Indian colleges. ISB started a course and they are charging 25 Lakhs. Their only argument is that it is still chaeper than USA. Don't we expect better argument from people who are the most intelligent people in India. I won't blame ISB as they are private institutes but Government should fund IIMs and subsidize.

 

Now if the Government doesn't subsidize it, how will middle class even afford this.

 

As far as merit based scholarship is concerned, this is a good idea but we must first implement this and then take some subsidy out (not the reverse way). I am very sceptical that our politicians and babus really can implement this well.