Canada cap - Reality check abroad and at home

Canada’s two-year cap on international student permits will come as a dampener for prospective candidates. The talking point should be the reasons given by the Immigration  Minister. A careful perusal would underscore the harsh realities that await the young Indians aspiring for the study visa. Some private institutions, the minister said, have taken advantage of international students by operating under-resourced campuses and charging high tuition fee. This certainly cannot qualify to be the dream passionately pursued by students and parents alike. It would likely lead to a switch to other countries. The subtext remains the same — any place but India, no matter the cost it entails. Only the limited opportunities at home matter in the final analysis.

In the third quarter of 2023, Canada’s population grew at its fastest pace in six decades. Over eight lakh foreign students were in the country in 2022, up from 2.14 lakh a decade earlier. Opinion polls show that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would lose the election if it were held now. His government is under pressure to address unaffordable housing crisis, linked to a spike in immigration. The cap could result in a decrease of 35 per cent study permits from last year. It is expected to ease the burden on housing and other services.

The discouraging job prospects and the fear of missing out on a better life abroad make it a no-brainer for many to board the flight to just about anywhere, unmindful of what lies ahead. Indian households are projected to spend $70 billion annually on their children’s foreign education by 2025. The surge is predominantly attributed to non-metros and small towns. It’s a sad commentary on the subpar higher education landscape in India. The lack of qualitative and quantitative choices is stark. Students must prioritise quality education first. Jobs will follow.

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Courtesy: The Daily Tribune: 24th January, 2024