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The study is in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 that envisages large-scale integration of skills education in schools as a critical agenda
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan at the event on Friday. (X)
Services sector jobs, agriculture, manufacturing, and IT could have large opportunities for school-based skilling, according to the ‘Jobs at Your Doorstep’ report prepared by the World Bank, released by union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday.
The report is a skills gap analysis that attempts to align trades offered in schools with industry-specific needs of the districts across six states — Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
The six states are collectively under the ministry of education’s Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) project. The World Bank assists the MoE with its STARS program, which has a national component under which key reforms are shared and disseminated for implementation.
This initial research, conducted by the World Bank in collaboration with a third party, provides a preliminary skill and job diagnosis based on local requirements and demands.
This report underscores the significant benefits of embedding skill-based education from classes 9-12 to prepare students for diverse career paths relying on a bottom-up approach, going deep in districts of the six states. These present varying socio-economic profiles and offer a nuanced view of how industry and government can both contribute towards the jobs agenda.
The study is in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 that envisages large-scale integration of skills education in schools as a critical agenda.
Pleased to launch the @WorldBank report on ‘Jobs At Your Doorstep’ with my valued colleague Dr. @mansukhmandviya. Compliment the World Bank team led by Country Director for India, Mr. Auguste Tano Kouame, for this detailed report on six states. Such in-depth diagnostics on… pic.twitter.com/f4C3COrjVS— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 22, 2024
THE NEP
Under the new education policy, the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 guidelines propose broad exposure to skilling and forms of work for classes 6-8; exposure to multiple vocations and transferable skills for classes 9-10; and in-depth skilling in a vocation (up to 3 out of 6 total subjects) for classes 11-12.
The trade analysis across one district each picked from five states including Shimla, Indore, Dhenkanal, Nagpur and Jodhpur, indicated a mismatch between capacity and demand, the report said.
Also, district trades analysis indicated a mismatch between skills demand and supply, it said.
The report has come out with nine key recommendations for schools in India to better the skilling initiative.
One of the major recommendations includes expanding access to skill education in more schools and establishing skill hubs. “Target at least 20-30% secondary schools in every district offering skill education as a first goal. Also, government can offer at least two trades in each target school; scale up to 3-5 trades in large schools,” the report stated.
It also said the schools must offer a revised set of broad-based trades targeting multiple job roles per trade.
The study suggested that schools can provide students the choice to study trades in a light-touch manner or in-depth (up to 3 skills subjects may be chosen out of a total of 6 subjects in grades 11-12 as per NCF 2023).
“District officials should recommend trades for new schools based on existing skilling capacity, local economy needs and student aspirations. Focus on broader employability skills along with technical trade skills,” it said.
The report highlighted that soft skills, digital literacy, financial acumen and building an entrepreneurial mindset should be offered to 100% of students.
It further emphasised testing for practical skills over theoretical knowledge.
“Schools Boards and Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) to drive the reform effort develop a deep and ongoing partnership with industry. It is critical to ensure curriculum relevance, internships, job placements etc.
THE STUDY
The report was released by Pradhan along with union minister of labour, youth affairs and sports, Mansukh Mandaviya.
“Such in-depth diagnostics on skilling and jobs will enable stakeholders to create new architectures and make progressive policies for empowering our population. We need to broaden the definition of jobs and employment. The framework must be broadened and viewed from the perspective of economic opportunities and empowerment,” said Pradhan while launching the report in the national capital.
The study assessed the kinds of industries/local small and medium enterprises that have the potential to provide entry-level jobs or offer entrepreneurship opportunities for youth, including those who are in school and those who may have dropped out.
It also analysed special economic zones, and overall labour market trends across primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors in all the six states under STARs. Conversations with employers further indicated the need for multi-skilled individuals with a broader set of “employability skills” such as problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability and leveraging digital technologies, among others.
