Cost-Benefit Analysis of Jesuit Higher Education in India : With Special Reference to West Bengal

Abstract

Institutions make difficult choices about how best to invest resources to serve the students. Fees and government grants are invested but the need to determine whether they yield sufficient benefits against the cost and how to provide evidence to the stakeholders, remains a concern. In this context cost-benefit analysis assumes significance as it systematically compares the magnitude of costs against benefits to assess economic profitability. The higher education scenario in India, is riddled with issues like, financing and management, equity and quality, assessment of institutions and their accreditation. The higher education landscape is not monolithic, and examining the Jesuit pedagogy offers another dimension as it is known for critical thinking skills, passion for learning, global understanding and value-orientation. We studied the role of higher education with an emphasis on Jesuit institutions, made a comparative analysis of the cost involved in Jesuit vis-a-vis non-Jesuit institutions and analysed the contributions and benefits of Jesuit institutions in providing employability and job opportunities. Primary data was collected using questionnaires from twelve colleges (four Jesuit and eight Non-Jesuit) selected using convenience sampling. Our demography was selected using probability sampling for five stakeholder groups – institution, student, parent, alumni, and faculty. The selected sample was of 380 students each from Jesuit and non-Jesuit institutions, based on a 95% confidence interval and Z-score. Secondary data was collected from MHRD and UGC websites. We used exploratory and inferential data analysis. Our study shows, the number of institutions has consistently grown post-independence. The institutional distribution revealed wider inter-state variation across the country, given the area and population density of the States being different. The fees structure shows Jesuit colleges are delivering higher course counts at reasonable cost, and enrolment count is also gradually rising with time. The non-Jesuit (missionary) colleges are having lower student count and fees. However, non-missionary colleges are having very high student count with lower fees. Jesuit colleges have attained a balance between fees and enrolment count. Analysis of the students’ Page 2 of 2 data shows, institutions should focus adequately on the academic environment, adopt market friendly teaching learning process and ensure the holistic development of the students to harness employment opportunities. Faculty data shows, adequate focus on the academic environment, market friendly teaching learning process and connection with alumni association (to perform better in employment sector) are desirable. The parents’ data shows institutions should focus adequately on the academic environment, discipline, and personal development of the student through co-curricular activities to ensure better employability. We infer from the alumni data, institutions should focus adequately on discipline, market friendly teaching learning process and better focus on academic result for better placement outcome. In conclusion, a cost-effective fee structure is desirable. Further, Jesuit colleges have highly pronounced vision statement which helps them to focus on maintaining better academic standards and discipline. Colleges should institutionalize the formation of an active alumni association. The public image and the presence of an active alumni association also helps in employment opportunities. The present study is restricted to West Bengal. A pan India study may be considered to gain greater insight. The sample size is limited and a larger sample size would have enhanced the construct validity. The empirical results of the study largely depend on the perceptions of the stakeholders and it’s not static and change with time.