The Past
What comes to your mind when you think of education? Is it rote learning, repetitive lectures and unimaginative assessments? Education in India has always been a passionately and widely discussed topic. Those who have gone through the grind often point out that the years spent in school did little to prepare them for the complexities of the real world. This disconnect is not unique to India, as education systems globally have remained largely stagnant since the industrial revolution, except in a few countries like Finland and Singapore, which have led the way with more progressive approaches.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education worldwide, introducing online classes, recorded sessions, and self-learning modules across age groups, including the pre-primary level. This shift brought technology to the forefront of education, with tools like Zoom, Quizlet, and Padlet becoming integral to the learning process. On one hand, accessibility to good quality content increased all around (PhysicsWallah is a prime example), and evened out the learning field. On the other hand, what was being learnt did not change, only the how.
This raises a crucial question: if the same content and assessments are merely presented in a new format, does it truly qualify as disruption? Is this enough to prepare students for the ever-changing world? The Economic Survey 2023-24 reports that only 51.25% of graduates in India have the necessary skills for employment. This stark reminder highlights the urgent need to shift from a knowledge-based education system to one focused on developing competencies and practical skills.
Current Trends
Around the world, efforts are being made to equip students with 21st-century skills that go beyond mere knowledge acquisition. These can be grouped into three categories: Learning, Literacy, and Life Skills. Examples of Learning skills include Critical Thinking, Creativity and Communication. Under Life Skills, Leadership, Productivity and Flexibility are key aspects. These skills are becoming essential in preparing students to succeed in fast-evolving job markets.
The National Educational Policy 2020 (NEP) also advocates for life skills such as communication, resilience and teamwork. In summary, NEP discusses the importance of skill development, teacher training, technology (both as a tool and as a subject) and student centric higher education reforms, in creating an inclusive and future-ready system.
At what stage of implementation are we? At senior school level, students now have more flexibility in selecting their electives, ranging from PE, Psychology, Economics and more, along with Science or Commerce. Similar to other competitive exams, students who choose to study Arts or Science will appear for the CUET (Common University Entrance Test). Arts and Science undergraduates have the choice of finishing their degree courses in 3 or 4 years, with the option to store their academic credits digitally. There has been a push towards global citizenship education, and with foreign universities being allowed to set up campuses in India, we can look forward to more students staying and studying in the country.
But what has been the impact of the NEP so far? Educational transformation is never an overnight process, and gauging the true impact of policy changes across India will take time. Not all states have implemented the NEP yet, and results may vary widely. However, we are moving in the right direction. According to a comparative study by the International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology (March 2024), the NEP’s focus on foundational learning, play-based education, and regional languages mirrors the highly successful Finnish system. NEP also advocates for project-based assessments similar to the US model and multidisciplinary learning, which aligns with educational practices in the UK. Furthermore, its proposal to include vocational training scores as part of grade 10 evaluations is comparable to Germany’s dual education system, where both academic knowledge and practical skills are given equal importance.
Having aligned visions with other global educational policies may not set us up automatically for success, but evidence-based decisions taken by global policy makers will help us fine-tune our processes to meet our future education outcomes.
The Future
Isaac Asimov, in his 1951 short story The Fun They Had, predicted a world where children learned from robot teachers and screens. While he imagined this happening in 2155, we have reached this milestone much earlier. Technological advancement is at its fastest that we have seen, and AI is rapidly transforming the way we approach knowledge and all forms of work.
With AI tools now capable of generating solutions, presentations, and summaries in mere seconds, we must ask: is there still a need for students to memorise and present information that machines can easily provide? In this rapidly changing landscape, the future of education in India must be flexible, skills-oriented, and aligned with the evolving demands of the workforce. Here are some key areas our education system should focus on:
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Emotional intelligence and soft skills: While academic knowledge is important, the ability to navigate complex interpersonal and emotional landscapes is becoming increasingly essential. As individuals, we’ve become more aware of our needs and aspirations, but this has also led to a more individualistic view of the world. To balance this, education must place a stronger emphasis on teamwork, leadership, empathy, and adaptability. These skills will prepare students for collaborative and diverse work environments, helping them succeed both professionally and personally.
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Entrepreneurial mindset: What makes us human is our ability to empathise, problem solve and contribute towards the betterment of the world. High school and college curricula should include programs that foster creativity, risk-taking, and innovation. This will prepare students not only for employment but also for creating their own career paths as entrepreneurs or freelancers.
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Global competency: As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, we must be prepared to be a part of a globalised workforce. Language proficiency, cross-cultural communication, and international partnerships should be integrated into the curriculum to develop students' global competencies.
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Continuous learning pathways: The concept of education should not end with college graduation. There should be a shift in mindset, to embrace lifelong learning as the norm. Schools should focus on creating an environment of curiosity and adaptability. Colleges should partner with online learning platforms and industry experts to offer flexible learning modules and certification programs that allow individuals to identify and pursue their career related interests.
For these changes to take root, we need to overcome infrastructure, manpower, and mindset related challenges. These may seem insurmountable, but with the right policies and a commitment to reform, we can position ourselves as a leader in global education. This will help India build a future-ready workforce capable of thriving in an increasingly competitive and interconnected world.
In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, the future depends on what we do today.
References:
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https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/eschapter/echap08.pdf https://www.icevonline.com/blog/what-are-21st-century-skills
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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346654722_Impact_of_New_Education_Policy_2020_on_Higher_Education
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https://ijarsct.co.in/Paper15911.pdf
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https://www.bartlettschools.org/pdf/TheFunTheyHad.pdf
About the Author
Ms Ahlada Janani Sudersan has worked in the education industry in various roles, including as an educator, curriculum developer, teacher trainer, and manager, before taking the plunge as an entrepreneur. She is currently the co-founder of ZEN-it, a mindful productivity app designed to help individuals achieve high productivity and realise their goals without the burnout.