We all might have often heard our parents sharing their childhood stories and telling us
how different their schooling system used to be compared to us. From traditional
classroom teaching methods to E-learning and the rise of Ed-tech start-ups has
disrupted the Education sector.
Moreover, the pandemic has accelerated the change in the education system by replacing
the National Policy on Education framed during the Rajiv Gandhi era in 1986.
Even though the education system has evolved over the years, there are still huge
challenges faced by the Indian Education System, due to which it isn’t showing much
progress. Why are we struggling to provide our students with quality, student-centric
and skill-based learning?
The primary reason is rote learning. There is no doubt that rote learning is one of the
biggest challenges our education system is currently dealing with.
When children are brought up in an environment that only praises good grades and
excellent marks, then the children solely work for the output either by hook or crook.
We Indians have a crazy obsession with marks and grades. If we take a moment and think
about who is at fault, then, in my opinion, the answer is the system. Generations after
generations, people have been taught that high grades and marks are the keys to success,
and they were made to believe that it was right.
As a result, we were all stuck in this never-ending vicious cycle.
Therefore, this thought has been so deeply ingrained in our society that nobody
questioned it so far, and even if a few did and voiced their opinion a few decades ago,
there wasn’t much change.
It is only in the last decade that we as a country have started recognizing the importance
of taking a holistic approach in the field of education. We have now started encouraging
upskilling-reskilling, encouraging talent, taking a risk, and exploring limitless possibilities.
Most importantly, if there is someone or something with the power to change the
scenario of the Indian Education System, it is the – Education Policy.
The Skill Gap issue
India faces a massive problem of skill gaps. Even though India produces lakhs of
graduates every year, only a chunk of them manage to get placed as they have the
relevant skills required for the job role.
According to the Global Skill Gap Report by Udemy, 92% of Indian employees believe
there is a huge skill gap in the country. Whereas, 76% have admitted that the issue of
skill gap has personally affected them.
Therefore, we must encourage skill-based learning.
By:
Sulekha
PGT Geography