For the generation that went to school in the late 80's , skill development may not be a new term. At least for me, am able to relate to this all new buzz word, quite instantly.
Rewinding to the school days, I remember we used to have one dedicated period a week called SUPW - Socially Useful Productive Work. We had the options to choose from carpentry to plumbing ; embroidery to various other art and craft work. It used to be more of fun coupled with learning and a period we used to look forward to relax. But sadly, the race for engineering and other professional courses diluted the need to carry further such skill based learning.
Down the line, as the education system started aping westernisation, we have lost track of some of the basic skills that the school prepared us for. Today schools are more like factories producing ranks than imbibing conceptual learning or values that are essential. The plight of the colleges/ universities need no mention here, as the country churns out more professionals yet who are not employment ready by all standards.
A recent survey by the THE (Times Higher Education) on the World Reputation Ranking of universities / institutions did not have a single Indian university making it to the top 100 Universities. Though it is a by invitation only participation, it does open up to the reality of where our education is heading towards. Ironically, all educational institutions claim to be par excellence yet lack the finesse. So, the missing link still remains a mystery and a subject of debate year after year.
Majority of the Indian institutions as all of us know do not have research oriented learning. We are all used to being muggers largely and will continue to remain so, unless there is a drastic change in the methodology. There need to be change in the mind-set of everyone in this system, first and foremost the parents. While a handful of parents are open to letting their children decide what they want to do (off-beat courses), many of them still directly or indirectly push their choices. Ofcourse, who would want to take pride in saying that their kid is a skilled artisan and does it for a living?
Be it the large divide in the employability and the degrees we offer or the attitude and behavioural change seen today among the students, the collective responsibility lies with both the policy makers and us.
Rewinding to the school days, I remember we used to have one dedicated period a week called SUPW - Socially Useful Productive Work. We had the options to choose from carpentry to plumbing ; embroidery to various other art and craft work. It used to be more of fun coupled with learning and a period we used to look forward to relax. But sadly, the race for engineering and other professional courses diluted the need to carry further such skill based learning.
Down the line, as the education system started aping westernisation, we have lost track of some of the basic skills that the school prepared us for. Today schools are more like factories producing ranks than imbibing conceptual learning or values that are essential. The plight of the colleges/ universities need no mention here, as the country churns out more professionals yet who are not employment ready by all standards.
A recent survey by the THE (Times Higher Education) on the World Reputation Ranking of universities / institutions did not have a single Indian university making it to the top 100 Universities. Though it is a by invitation only participation, it does open up to the reality of where our education is heading towards. Ironically, all educational institutions claim to be par excellence yet lack the finesse. So, the missing link still remains a mystery and a subject of debate year after year.
Majority of the Indian institutions as all of us know do not have research oriented learning. We are all used to being muggers largely and will continue to remain so, unless there is a drastic change in the methodology. There need to be change in the mind-set of everyone in this system, first and foremost the parents. While a handful of parents are open to letting their children decide what they want to do (off-beat courses), many of them still directly or indirectly push their choices. Ofcourse, who would want to take pride in saying that their kid is a skilled artisan and does it for a living?
Be it the large divide in the employability and the degrees we offer or the attitude and behavioural change seen today among the students, the collective responsibility lies with both the policy makers and us.
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