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Modi's 'skilled India' still a distant dream as schools continue to impart exam-centric education

By Reetu
|
Google Oneindia News

50% of students entering any class lack the required skills.
If you think its only students who keep complaining about the education system in India, then here is a new twist to it. In a survey titled 'Pearson Voice of Teacher Survey 2014', teachers have voiced their opinions on the current state of India's learning environment and have said that in India, 50% of the students entering any class lack the required skills.

As per a TOI report, "The survey further substantiated as majority of the teachers (92%) believe that India's assessment system, primarily, focuses on exam results. In fact, teachers consider skill and personality development (94%) as the most important benchmark for measuring learner success, followed by preparedness for higher education and job (83%) and lastly the test and exam results (57%)."

The survey which presents the views of 5145 teachers from schools and higher education institutes shares teachers' perspective on the changing dynamics of the the complete education system and also focuses on topical issues facing Indian education sector. The 2014 edition of the Pearson survey also focuses on the ability of education system to drive learner outcomes from the students.

Lack of skill-based, quality education plaguing country

India might have supplied skilled workforce globally, but lack of skill-based and quality education is one of the major problems plaguing the Indian education system.

92% teachers believe that India’s education system focuses on exam results

The education system in our country focuses on scoring good marks and rote learning. More sad is the fact that, those who score better are considered 'Intelligent' and those who fall short on the scoring chart are considered 'poor' in studies. And thus, such educational deficiencies in our country have led to an acute skills shortage in India.

As per a Hindubusinessline report, "Although the country mints about 6.5 lakh new engineers a year, a but only a quarter of its technical graduates and only about 15 per cent of its general college graduates are suited for employment in offshore IT and business-process outsourcing industries, respectively. The rest are lacking in the requisite technical knowledge, English-language capacity and collaborative skills."

And what is more alarming is that the report foresees a shortfall of 35 lakh IT workers by 2020.

Even an official from the Prime Minister's office was quoted as saying in the report, "The stark reality is that our education system churns out people, but industry does not find them useful."

What has the survey revealed?

In India, 50% of the students entering any class lack the required skills.

94 percent teachers consider skill and personality development as the most critical benchmark for measuring learner success.

92 percent teachers feel that the Indian education system is highly focused on ‘exam-oriented learning' than ‘holistic learning'

In driving the desired ‘learner outcomes', teachers are least satisfied with support received from parents.

92 percent teachers believe that India's assessment system, primarily, focuses on exam results.

In fact, teachers consider skill and personality development (94%) as the most important benchmark for measuring learner success, followed by preparedness for higher education and job (83%) and lastly the test and exam results (57%).

Focus on skill based education is needed, not on exam based education

They say "Give a man a fish and you feed him one day but if you teach him how to catch fishes, you feed him for a lifetime," is the best way to explain how skill based education is more helpful for the future of students and country. The focus on exam based education ultimately leads to nothing but 'skilled education' will give a lot not only to students but also the country.

The one who is more learned will shape a better India, not the one who is a better scorer in the exams. Thus, more focus should be on teaching skills to students rather than teaching them how to score good in exams. Focus should now move from exam-oriented learning to holistic learning so that a students have a better future.

If China, Brazil can make education reform their priority, then why can't India. But it seems that the new dispensation has yet not thought about the reforms in the education system which will give a better India despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's insistence on 'Skilled India.'

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