look news india
In today’s time, the biggest and scary question in the minds of the youth of the country is that why are they not able to get the jobs of their choice even after paying huge fees and getting degrees and diplomas from colleges? The country’s policy-making body i.e. NITI Aayog itself has boldly given the answer to this serious and burning question in a recent analysis. According to the report of NITI Aayog, a huge skill gap has arisen between the country’s education system and the existing job market, due to which despite having an army of graduates, they are not able to get employment. According to the shocking truth of the statistics, only 8.25 percent of the youth are able to get regular and satisfactory jobs within the first one year after completing their studies, while the rest of the youth either remain unemployed or become victims of under-employment (low-paid and below-qualified jobs). After this sensational revelation, a debate has once again erupted at the national level regarding the future of educational institutions, universities and youth across the country.
Huge gap between traditional degrees and skill demand of modern market
In this detailed analysis conducted by NITI Aayog, it has been mainly emphasized that there is a huge difference between the traditional teaching style taught in the universities and colleges of our country and the actual needs of the modern industry. In today’s era of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI), companies look for youth who have advanced capabilities like coding, data analytics, critical thinking, digital marketing and practical problem-solving skills. On the contrary, our educational institutions are still stuck on decades old syllabus and old method of rote learning. When a student comes out with a 3 to 4 year degree or diploma, he turns out to be completely unfit as per the industry standards. This is the basic reason due to which despite having bundles of degrees in hand, youth feel disappointed in the interview rounds of companies.
Only 8.25% employment rate: The truth of the country’s higher education in the mirror of statistics
The figures revealed in this report of NITI Aayog are enough to shock any sensitive citizen. According to the report, only 8.25 percent of youth holding degrees and diplomas are able to get quality employment within the first year of completing their studies. More than 90 percent of the remaining youth are either constantly wandering in search of jobs, or are forced to work at low wages in the gig economy (as delivery boys, cab drivers or small contract work). Due to this situation, the country’s young population, which is called ‘demographic dividend’, is becoming a social and economic challenge instead of proving to be a boon. If concrete steps are not taken in this direction in time, then this crisis of unemployment may become more severe in the coming years.
There is a huge lack of coordination between institutions and industry.
A big reason behind this entire crisis is that there is a huge lack of communication and cooperation between most of the educational institutions of our country and the corporate world. On the lines of western countries or developed economies, the provision of campus placement or internship here is limited to only selected top tier (Tier-1) institutions. Lakhs of students coming out of colleges in small towns, tier-2 and tier-3 cities never get to know what the real demand of the industry is today. College administrations have become mere degree distribution factories, where instead of imparting practical knowledge to the students, only theoretical bookish things are taught. Unless universities and companies jointly prepare curriculum, it is impossible to find a permanent solution to this problem.
There is a dire need for vocational training and skill development.
NITI Aayog has clearly suggested in its report that the time has come to make radical changes in the education policy of the country. ‘Vocational training’ and skill development should be made mandatory instead of emphasizing only on bookish knowledge from school level to higher education. The government and the private sector should jointly run such training programs where youth get an opportunity to work on real-time projects right from the beginning. Moreover, equipping students with Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and modern technical skills is no longer an option but a necessity.
The future path for youth and the challenge before policy makers
Coming out of the fascination of degree and diploma, now the youth will also have to accept the bitter truth that only a paper degree cannot get them a job. To achieve success, they have to continuously upgrade their skills and focus on practical knowledge. On the other hand, it is a big challenge for the policy makers of the Central and State Governments to adapt the education system of the country as per the needs of the corporate world, so that crores of youth of the country can achieve the right position according to their ability and strengthen the country’s economy.