The significance of higher education cannot be denied in any phase of a state’s development as it is considered key to achieving the agendas of peace and economic prosperity (ADB 2011). The South Asia region alone accounts for 25% of the world’s population (EIU 2013). The region has energetic youth and workforce. But as competition between states widens at the global arena, the role of higher education becomes critical in facilitating skilled and knowledgeable workforce in the right direction so that they can contribute in the development and prosperity of their countries.

South Asian countries have a shared history of colonialism (UNICEF 2011). Some countries have been successful in freeing themselves from its clutches, while some like Pakistan are still in dire need of policy intervention. The purpose of this research is to compare and evaluate the education policies of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The research aims to draw the attention of policymakers to address the variables that are hindering the process of development. The variables under study include terrorism, gender inequality and the rising trends in fee structure. This comparative research would enable governments to strengthen their higher education and improve their status from developing states to developed ones. The rising fee structure is a dilemma for developing countries that has stood as a barrier towards prosperity. Therefore, the need of the day is to make higher education financially sustainable by exploring practical and viable mechanisms. 

References

ADB 2011, ‘Higher Education across Asia: An Overview of Issues and Strategies’, Manila: Asian Development Bank,

<https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/29407/higher-education-across-asia.pdf>.

EIU 2013, ‘Higher Education in South Asia - Trends in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka’, June, Economist Intelligence Unit,

<https://www.britishcouncil.in/sites/default/files/sapd_british_council_south_he_report.pdf>.

UNICEF 2011, ‘Disparities in Education in South Asia: A Resource Tool Kit’, United Nations Children’s Fund Regional Office for South Asia, <www.unicef.org/rosa/Countering_Disparities_in_Education_Toolkit__2011. pdf>.