Despite the presence of government departments like Fisheries, Forests, Agriculture, and Geology, there is a lack of professional courses in government colleges/universities to cater to these fields. Aspiring students are forced to migrate to other states for higher education, which only wealthier families can afford.
Students interested in specialized fields like Forestry, Agriculture, Geoinformatics, Forensic Sciences, and Clinical Psychology often migrate to other states, leaving middle-class youth to settle for conventional courses available locally, such as basic sciences, commerce, and humanities. This imbalance is reflected in government job placements, where the wealthier “creamy layer” secures specialized roles while others remain ineligible due to limited educational access.Even when courses like Pharmaceutical Chemistry, IT, and Physical Education are available in Sikkim, they are often capped at the undergraduate level. Those wishing to pursue advanced degrees must leave the state, further widening the gap between the affluent and others. Adding to the disparity, Sikkim has more private universities than government institutions, making professional education a luxury few can afford.
Scholarships and Fellowships: Too Little, Too Late
While the state provides scholarships and fellowships, these are plagued by delays and inadequate funding. Students often report receiving scholarships long after completing their courses, adding financial stress. Researchers, the backbone of academic progress, face even greater challenges, with insufficient fellowship amounts discouraging many from pursuing PhDs.
A postgraduate student remarked, “I was told by officials not to be surprised if the scholarship arrives a year late, and it did.”This delay, coupled with economic hurdles, has resulted in only 1 out of 100 students pursuing doctoral studies in the state, contributing to a shortage of qualified faculty in local colleges.
The ‘One Family One Job’ Dilemma
Sikkim’s “One Family, One Job” policy, which has been designed to offer employment to families in need, has unintentionally undermined students’ aspirations for higher education. Many students choose to forgo further academic pursuits in favor of securing government jobs under this initiative. This has led to an overemphasis on low-level positions, leaving higher-level government posts unfilled and often inefficient. The situation is compounded by the reality that students engaged in lower-level jobs are often not equipped with the specialized knowledge required for advanced roles, resulting in a long-term shortage of qualified individuals in the state’s departments.
While the policy is undeniably beneficial in offering immediate financial stability to many families, it has inadvertently created an environment where students are more inclined to secure immediate employment rather than pursue academic and professional development. This has far-reaching consequences, as it not only affects the career trajectories of the youth but also impacts the effectiveness and development of critical sectors within the state.
Societal Pressure: A Cultural Barrier to Higher Education
In Sikkim, societal expectations often discourage students from pursuing higher education, especially when it requires moving outside the state. After completing graduation, students are frequently confronted with questions such as, “Why not work now?” or “Why don’t you get married?” This pressure to conform to societal norms, coupled with a limited understanding of the long-term benefits of advanced education, forces many students to abandon their academic ambitions. As a result, many find themselves trapped within the confines of Sikkim’s limited educational options, unable to explore opportunities outside the state due to financial constraints or cultural expectations.
This societal dilemma presents a significant barrier to students’ ambitions, as it not only affects their individual choices but also perpetuates the notion that higher education is unnecessary or even undesirable. To address this, there must be a shift in the cultural mindset, where the pursuit of higher education is seen as a valuable and aspirational goal rather than an exception.
Lack of Awareness and Competitive Edge
Another critical issue contributing to the challenges faced by students in Sikkim is the lack of awareness regarding national-level competitive exams such as UPSC, SSC, RRB, SBI/IBPS PO, UGC NET, GATE, and CLAT. Most students in the state are either unaware of these opportunities or lack the guidance and resources to prepare for them. This knowledge gap has created an environment where students are not motivated to compete at a national level, resulting in a lack of competitive spirit within the state. The absence of such opportunities means that Sikkim’s youth are often unprepared for the competitive job market outside the state, leading to missed career prospects and stagnation in their professional growth.
A Call for Change
Sikkim stands at a critical juncture where urgent reforms are needed to address the systemic issues within its education sector. The state must prioritize the establishment of government-run professional colleges and provide specialized training in fields such as Forestry, Agriculture, Water Resources, Remote Sensing , Journalism , Forensic Sciences, Environmental Sciences etc. These institutions should offer advanced courses that allow students to gain the necessary skills and expertise to contribute meaningfully to the state’s development.
Additionally, the government must ensure that scholarships and fellowships are timely and adequate, providing students with the financial security needed to pursue higher education. For students interested in research, particularly in fields like science, technology, and social studies, robust support systems should be put in place to alleviate the financial burdens that often discourage them from pursuing advanced studies.
A shift in the “One Family, One Job” policy is also needed to ensure that students are encouraged to pursue higher education and develop the skills required for specialized roles. The long-term success of the state’s departments depends on a well-educated workforce, and this can only be achieved through investment in higher education and research.
Sikkim’s future depends on empowering its youth with the tools they need to succeed. By providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education, the state can break free from its current limitations and unlock the potential of its young population. Through strategic reforms in education, awareness, and societal attitudes, Sikkim can create a competitive, thriving environment where its youth are equipped to thrive not only within the state but on a national and global stage.