NEP targets providing vocational education to 50% students by 2025

DIMAPUR— With merely 6% of students currently having access to vocational education in India, Dr. Timir Tripathi, regional director of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Kohima Centre, informed that the new National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) aims to provide vocational education to 50% of students in India by 2025.

Dr. Tripathi has made a comparison between South Korea, where over 95% of the students have access to vocational education and over 60% having access to vocational education in many countries.

Dr. Tripathi stated this in his inaugural speech at the two-day national-level seminar on “Teacher education for sustainable development: A road map for 21^st century” held at Unity College of Teacher Education (UCTE) in Dimapur on Thursday. The event was sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi.

Mentioning that the current syllabus and the education system do not equip students with required technical skills, Dr. Tripathi emphasised that students could become competitive and adapt to the changing situation only by imparting 21^st century skills. According to him the term ‘21^st century skills’ encompasses much more than just technical abilities as it includes a range of competencies such as reading, writing, and communication skills, problem-solving abilities, artistic and creative talents, knowledge of humanities, participation in sports and fitness activities, proficiency in multiple languages, familiarity with diverse cultures, and understanding of values and ethics.

While questioning whether the current education system adequately prepares students for employment, he has emphasised on the need to make changes in the system through the interrelation of NEP, ensure that students remain competitive in this rapidly changing world and equipped them with the skills needed to be employable.

Tripathi suggested that the education system should focus on developing various skills from school to college levels. He stated that the NEP aimed at increasing the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education in India to 50% by 2035 as compared to the current national GER which stands at 27.5%.

Tripathi added that the importance of 21^st century skills in education cannot be overstated saying it requires having 21^st century teachers, who can impart such skills. Pointing out that education could either make or break a nation, he stated that if the goal is to foster growth and development, then the education system must be made more robust.

Tripathi also mentioned that the 21^st century teachers must possess a wide range of skills and expertise in various fields and added that they should be multi-literate and updated with the latest technologies so that they are not only knowledgeable in their particular subjects but also in other areas.

Tripathi further stated that teachers have significant responsibilities in shaping not only on the academic growth of students but also in various aspects of school life. Additionally, he stated that they play a vital role in contributing to the educational growth of the country as a whole.

In his keynote address, Prof. Dr. Gyanendra Nath Tiwari, from the Teacher Education department at Nagaland University, expressed his belief that learning should not be limited to books alone. Tiwari stressed that obtaining a degree is one thing but what is more crucial, according to him, is the actual knowledge one acquires.

Tiwari pointed out that one of the main challenges was the lack of awareness about sustainable development, as many people were still unaware of its importance. Another challenge was the significant variation in the quality and quantity of education provided to children across the country, which is crucial for establishing sustainable development.

According to Tiwari, one of the most critical challenges was the lack of resources available to promote sustainable development. He, however, mentioned that empowering teachers to act as agents of change by spreading awareness about sustainable development could overcome those challenges.

Tiwari has further emphasised on the need to strike a balance between indigenous knowledge and the knowledge obtained from the rest of the world.DIMAPUR—