Importance Of Skill Based Education In India. A Boost For India's Growth.
Abstract:
“Knowledge is of no use until it is put into practice” – Anton Chekhov
Gone are the days when students carry bags full of books and copies and now all these are considered as a secondary source and the time has come when smart room classes and more of practical knowledge are being emphasized upon. It retains the knowledge for a longer period also a kind of clarity in working comes through practice which further gives efficiency and accuracy to work and no such need occurs to burn the midnight oil for examinations.
Key words: pragmatic approach, efficiency and accuracy, motivation, impact
Introduction:
Customizing education just not only means providing the learners with the methods of easy learning technique, but a pragmatic approach aiding with the means plays a very important role in this kind of system. In India this is the reason why philosophers insist on the development of skill is so necessary from the very young age and how it should make pace with the student’s age.
With the changing world scenario with regards to the market of jobs and industry employment there has emerged an overlapping need for skilled workers. And according to the changing era the definition of “skill” and “skilled” is completely changed. As, the study shows that about 90% of the employment opportunities require vocational skills and only, 20% of our graduates get employed and the sole reason why the rest are not being employable is they lack suitable employment skills.
According to the recent City and Guilds Group's Skills Confidence report, about 95 per cent of India's Labor force lack employable skills. Interactive approach gives a deeper impact in the minds.
Primary stage development:
The skill development process generally starts its primary phase in the school itself. As there are many courses in the field of Hospitality, Handicraft, Photography, Textiles, Healthcare, Tourism, IT, Banking, Insurance etc. can be added as a part of their curriculum so that it will give students a clear vision of each and every field and also they will be able to pursue the field of their interest and capability.
The pedagogy has to be practical; learning can be enhanced through field visits, e-learning,
industry driven projects, digital or video inputs and so on For instance, if a student has an
inclination toward doing “hospitality” then the basic thing which can be taught at school level is
maintained cordial relations, spirit of teamwork and other such activities which can be
inculcated at the very primary stage.
At which age should Skilling ideally begin for students?
India is relatively young as a nation with around 28 million as its youth population being added
per annum. More than 50 per cent of its population is below the age of 25 and more than 65 per
cent are aged below 35. So it can be assumed that till 2020, the average age of an Indian will be
expectedly 29 years, while it will be 37 for China and 48 for Japan. For India to make skill
capital of the world, it becomes the need of the hour to adopt a dynamic approach in the school
curriculum. According to the recent City and Guilds Group's Skills Confidence report, about 95
per cent of India's Labor force lack employable skills.
Students should be acquainted with “skill development” program at the age of 12-13 years
itself. It will remain a dream if carried out in centers alone in isolation. It needs to be imparted
in school itself along with the academic curriculum.
Indian Scenario:
As we know the population of India is proliferating day by day, so we have found the appealing
need to train the young workforce, just to shape them in a better way so that they may take the
future responsibility in the progress of the country. In the present era there are ample of
opportunities that one can choose form and excel in. However the thought process of Indians is
more clued and orthodox with respect to girls and boys. Also, with respect to academic careers
and streams in relation to engineering, medicine, accounts, MBA etc.
There are many instances wherein the student is pushed into a particular field by parental peer
and pressure and it is more of accepting what is told as they themselves do not have a clear
vision of their field of interest and when they realize in future it becomes very difficult to start it
all over again from the scratch. Introduction to skill training at a young age will by all means
give the student an opportunity to explore various options and accordingly, narrow down on a
vocation of his/her liking.
Some of the skills which sets pathways and are mandatory for an individual to be acquainted
with as some skills are not career related, but are considered to be as common ethics are
communicating skills, attitude, adaptability, teamwork, self management, initiative etc.
Contemporary phase of education system in Indian scenario:
The maximum emphasis of Indian education system is based on bookish knowledge. So, the real
world is faced by them only when they face the real world mainly after school studies. And this is
where the real struggle begins. What has been analyzed that the curriculum which is being
provided in school at secondary and higher secondary level is mainly inclined to subjects like
language, math, social studies, science, etc. it is observed that the curriculum does not cover
components of employable skills, nor is there any option to introduce students to different
vocations.
Recommendations and suggestions:
The two major reasons which can be deciphered from the prevailing problem are facility and
faculty. Rather than just distributing handouts will never serve the purpose, it needs to flip
around. So that’s that the faculty will provide the overall learning of the students and not just
mugging up things. Components of Skilling in its curriculum should be introduced. Encouraging
and motivating also plays a very important role.
Conclusion:
While the education system and the skill development, domain have its own set of Limitations
and challenges, there is a need for a radical transformation the way we skill, our youth as self
reading, information gathering, practical knowledge and work experience will give a human
personality a harmonious development of a child.
- By Kumkum Mandhanya
Thank you for your time.
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