Our Terms & Conditions | Our Privacy Policy
The lack of nurturing from qualified and passionate teachers has hindered the growth of India’s education system and its ability to produce skilled graduates.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockPhoto
Industry readiness is one of the graduate attributes in the outcome-based education framework. A recent revelation has exposed a critical factor in India’s higher education system: a staggering 80% of graduates are deemed not fitting for industry roles. With nearly 50 million graduates entering the workforce annually, this alarming statistic raises serious questions about the quality and relevance of our education system.
While the tech industry often dominates the conversation, India’s workforce is predominantly employed in sectors like services, construction, retail, and healthcare. Despite the rapid evolution of technology, these sectors continue to generate the majority of job opportunities. For instance, the personal grooming industry alone demands nearly 1.3 million professionals annually, significantly surpassing the 3-4 lakh jobs added by the software industry each year. Even for engineering graduates, the Internet provides a wealth of resources like NPTEL, Coursera, and SWAYAM. So, why do industries continue to lament the lack of employability among the majority of graduates? The issue, it seems, runs deeper than a mere skills gap.
India’s higher education system faces growing criticism for its theory-heavy curricula going slow or improving skill sets. Critics argue that graduates lack the practical skills and industry relevance necessary for modern jobs. To bridge this gap, universities are incorporating experiential learning, internships, and soft skills training. Government initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and platforms like SWAYAM and NPTEL aim to modernise education. However, the challenge remains: balancing academic rigour with industry demands to produce well-rounded graduates.
Major shift
India’s higher education has seen a major shift, with faculty influence on students noticeably waning. Regulatory bodies like the UGC and AICTE have introduced reforms to modernise education by integrating online courses into the curriculum. While these changes support scale and accessibility, they tend to weaken traditional teacher-student bonds. Everybody recalls at least one mentor who profoundly impacted their lives. However, the shift towards online learning reduces chances for deep, lasting connections with faculty, making mentorship increasingly rare.
While online platforms offer vast resources, they cannot completely replace the personalised guidance and emotional support provided by dedicated teachers. The commercialisation of education, coupled with online tutoring, has further exacerbated the issue. The lack of nurturing from qualified and passionate teachers has hindered the growth of India’s education system and its ability to produce skilled graduates. This has significant implications for the country’s economic competitiveness and technological innovation. To revitalise India’s education system, it is imperative to prioritise teacher training, incentivise quality teaching, and create a supportive environment for both teachers and students. By investing in human capital, India can produce world-class scholars and innovators.
Way forward
India’s educational landscape, while embracing technological advancements, risks losing the invaluable human touch. The NEP 2020 is a step in the right direction, emphasising teacher quality and professional development. However, more substantial investments are needed to nurture a generation of passionate educators. By improving working conditions, providing adequate compensation, and fostering a supportive learning environment, India can ensure that teachers are empowered to inspire and guide students. Overlooking this human element could have unpleasant consequences. Countries like Argentina and Greece, despite producing highly educated individuals, have struggled with unemployment and economic stagnation. To avoid a similar trend, India has to prioritise teacher development and the cultivation of strong teacher-student relationships to equip its youth with not only knowledge but also the essential skills and mindset to thrive in the 21st century.
The writer is Vice Chancellor, CMR University, Bengaluru.
Published – January 12, 2025 09:00 am IST
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
Aggregated From –
Comments are closed.