“Even Mahatma Gandhi studied abroad,” says Kerala Minister Bindu on migration of students to foreign universities

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 11 (ANI): On the opposition’s call for debate on the rising number of student migranting aborad for studies, Higher Education Minister R Bindu asserted that studying abroad is not a crime and even Mahatama Gandhi went to abroad for studying.

Higher Education Minister R Bindu, responding to Kuzhalnadan’s plea, termed student migration as a “global trend”. She noted, “Kerala sees a comparatively lower rate of student migration, constituting only four percent of India’s total”.

Bindu argued, “The attraction lies in educational and job opportunities rather than a collapse in the state’s academic institutions”. She pointed out that Kerala’s universities are gaining international acclaim and that studying abroad is not a crime, citing Mahatma Gandhi’s overseas education as an example.

Kuzhalnadan countered, arguing that the “New generation feels compelled to leave the state due to unmet and unfulfilled aspirations”. He agreed with Bindu’s earlier remark that many students lack basic literacy skills after the tenth grade but emphasized that others have been working to rectify this issue. Kuzhalnadan urged for a deeper discussion of the educational sector’s challenges.

Dismissing Kuzhalnadan’s claims, Minister Bindu praised the success of startups in Kerala and noted the establishment of the state’s first IT park and digital university under left-wing governance.

Bindu criticized the opposition for perpetuating the notion that students are fleeing Kerala for ‘low-income jobs abroad”. She argued that students should be allowed to study abroad and contribute to the nation.

This statement came after Congress MLA Matthew Kuzhalnadan has called for an immediate discussion in the Kerala Assembly over the growing trend of student migration to foreign universities.

Presenting an adjournment motion, Kuzhalnadan highlighted findings from a NORKA migration survey showing the number of students heading abroad for studies in the past five years have doubled. He emphasized the need for a thorough debate on this issue.

Opposition Leader VD Satheesan criticized Bindu, stating she trivialized a significant social issue.

He pointed out that ten universities in Kerala are without Vice-Chancellors and many colleges lack principals. Satheesan claimed many degree and postgraduate seats remain vacant, and accused the previous government of “approving substandard self-financing colleges, leading to their closure”.

The session ended in chaos as the opposition created a stir and walked out of the assembly after the motion for adjournment motion discussion was denied.