Why Inclusivity Matters in Higher Education: A Look at Equity and Access

Higher education shapes the personal and professional lives of students, but not everyone gets an equal chance to benefit from it. Inclusivity in higher education means making sure that students from all backgrounds—be it caste, gender, income group, region, or ability—can learn and grow in a supportive environment. It’s not just about admissions, but also

I chose to write about this because many young people are still left out of higher education or pushed to the margins once they get in. As someone who has seen how students from rural or marginalised communities struggle to adjust in city-based institutions, I believe this is an urgent issue. Inclusivity isn’t just about fairness—it is about tapping into the full potential of the country. When we include everyone in our classrooms, we bring in more ideas, more experiences, and more growth—for individuals and for society as a whole.

What Does Inclusivity in Higher Education Really Mean?

Inclusivity is more than increasing enrolment. It’s about supporting students once they enter college. That includes:

Financial aid for economically weaker students
Accessibility features for students with disabilities
Counselling and mentoring for first-generation learners
Safe spaces and fair representation for women and minority communities
Language support for those from non-English or regional-medium backgrounds

These steps ensure that students don’t just get into college—they stay, perform well, and feel like they belong.

Why India Needs Inclusive Higher Education

India has a large and diverse student population. Yet many students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and rural backgrounds face more obstacles in accessing higher education. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education, their Gross Enrolment Ratios are still far below the national average. Gender disparities also exist, especially in certain states. If left unaddressed, these inequalities will only widen the gap between the privileged and the underserved.

What NEP 2020 Says About Inclusion

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has made some important promises. It talks about creating Special Education Zones in backward regions, setting up Gender Inclusion Funds, and using technology to bring education to remote areas. The policy also focuses on regional languages and distance learning to help reach more students. But policies alone won’t fix the issue—implementation at the ground level is key.

Real Examples Making a Difference

Several colleges are already doing small but impactful things. For instance, a university in Kerala began offering bilingual lectures to help regional students. Some institutes are hiring counsellors who speak local languages to make students feel more at ease. Others are training teachers to be more inclusive in classrooms. These steps show that even simple changes can make a big difference in how students feel and perform.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.