Govt pushes skills into senior schooling

The Central Government is preparing to roll out a skill-based curriculum for Classes 11 and 12, a move aimed at bridging the persistent gap between education and employability. Under the new framework, students will not only study core academic subjects but also gain hands-on training in industry-relevant skills.

Officials from the Ministry of Education have stated that the plan aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes vocational learning and multidisciplinary exposure. Sectors such as IT, healthcare, retail, tourism, and emerging fields like AI and renewable energy are expected to feature prominently in the curriculum. The idea is to help students graduate with both academic knowledge and practical abilities that can open immediate job opportunities or smoothen their transition to higher studies.

Experts believe the shift could address one of India’s biggest challenges: employability. Surveys often show that graduates lack the necessary skills demanded by industry, leading to high levels of educated unemployment. By introducing vocational and skill-based learning at the school level, the government hopes to create a workforce that is job-ready by the time students complete their education.However, the success of this initiative will depend on proper implementation, training of teachers, and industry partnerships to ensure quality and relevance.