Importance of skill development in education

In the post-pandemic world, skills are an important component of advanced educational programs. And education for skilling is a popular term among the stakeholders. Presently, it is one of the most effective ways of addressing skills gap and preparing our youngsters for a competitive world. In other words, we can also say that skills acquisition is the most credible way to help students develop the competencies required to thrive in this complex world. Most of us believe that the history of skill education in India dates back to full-fledged vocational courses. However, in the present times, 21st century skills inculcation is one of the primary goals of school education. And the process starts right from the initial stages of formal education. Be ready to dive into the intrinsic details of this highly-relevant topic. Let’s start right away! What is Skills Development? The dictionary definition of skills explains the term as the ability to utilize one’s knowledge for execution. Skills development aims at building marketable skills in students. This helps them to develop the core competencies which in turn makes them more employable for the job market. In the present times, skills are the biggest pre-requisite for job-seekers. In fact, the need for inculcating and honing skills is a need of the hour not just in India. But also across the entire world. Let’s look at this need from a global perspective before we get down to the Indian scenario. The Need for Skill Development T...

Adolescents (children aged 10–19) are growing up in a transforming world. Technology, migration, climate change and conflict are reshaping society, forcing people across the globe to adapt to unexpected changes in their lives and work. To keep up, Yet, over 250 million adolescents were not in school, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2030, it is estimated that another 825 million children will not acquire the basic secondary-level skills – like transferable, digital and job-specific skills – needed to support lifelong learning and employment. Without access to education opportunities that help develop skills, adolescents face serious challenges thriving in the twenty-first century – with repercussions for generations to come. What’s more, some 617 million children and adolescents are unable to reach minimum proficiency levels in reading and math – even though two thirds of them are in school. This learning crisis is the greatest global challenge to preparing adolescents for the modern employment market. Concerted investment and coordination to strengthen education systems is needed so that all adolescents, especially the most marginalized, can acquire skills that help them fulfil their potential. • Foundational skills: Foundational skills, namely literacy and numeracy, are essential for further learning, productive employment and civic engagement. • Digital skills: Digital literacy enables children and young people to use and understand technology, search for and manag...

By Shruti Bansal : In our understanding, academic scores are indicators of a learner's understanding of a concept, the knowledge gained therefrom, and its application in a real-world context. The ability to understand concepts deeply requires skills in time management, work habits that are efficient, critical thinking, as well as recognising and how well one learns. PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE "It is imperative to align assessments with a school's education philosophy and goals instead of the other way around. Curricular and pedagogic relationships between knowledge and skills are being developed continuously, and assessment models must follow suit," said Shashi Banerjee, Director of Education, Shiv Nadar School. DIFFERENT LEARNING METHODS "We use methods that develop student agency, such as project-based learning, an assessed learning model to incorporate cross-disciplinary skills and inquiry-based learning. Meta-cognition and life skills help students become efficient, curious, and responsible learners, which is instrumental in performing well academically," she added. Are we equipping the next generation - children and young people - with the proper skills and tools to better deal with the world of tomorrow? "To prepare the next generation for the rapidly changing world, we need to take action. This involves introducing programmes that prioritise mindset and skill development, reducing the excessive emphasis on academic grades, addressing social-emotional learnin...

A child’s right to education entails the right to learn. Yet, for too many children across the globe, schooling does not lead to learning. Over 600 million children and adolescents worldwide are unable to attain minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics, even though two thirds of them are in school. For out-of-school children, foundational skills in literacy and numeracy are further from grasp. This learning crisis – the rift between the levels of learning children receive and those they, their communities and entire economies need – hit a global scale even before the Around the world, children are deprived of education and learning for various reasons. Poverty remains one of the most obstinate barriers. Children living through economic fragility, political instability, conflict or natural disaster are more likely to be cut off from schooling – as are those with disabilities, or from ethnic minorities. In some countries, education opportunities for girls remain severely limited. Even in schools, a lack of trained teachers, inadequate education materials and poor infrastructure make learning difficult for many students. Others come to class too hungry, ill or exhausted from work or household tasks to benefit from their lessons. Compounding these inequities is a digital divide of growing concern: Some two thirds of the world’s school-aged children do not have internet connection in their homes, restricting their opportunities to further their learning and skills ...

Introduction Degree and skill are essentially the same things. A person must have a degree and the ability to achieve something. A degree without talent is as meaningless as a skill without a degree. Both must coexist for the battle of the fittest to occur. A degree is just the certified verification of an individual’s expertise. Every person with the ability may not be able to obtain the degree. Likewise, not every university graduate is necessarily skilled. The degree or expertise required is determined by the company, the nature of the position, and so on. In general, which criteria is more important: the degree or the skill? Or will graduation become Irrelevant in the age of life-skill-based education? Let’s get to know them in detail. How can skill-based education be combined with a standard academic curriculum? Life skills-based education fosters and enhances the art of learning, allowing students to excel academically and in the modern world. Learning via action is also a component of this system for improving the mental process underlying skill improvement. This is a sophisticated approach to learning, applying, and developing abilities acquired through experience and understanding the learning system. The strategy encourages pupils to think, evaluate, and apply what they have learned. This contemporary learning style will assist students in developing motivated autonomous intellects and preparing them for future difficulties. The world is shifting swiftly as econo...

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Image Credit: It is well said by Robert Greene, “ The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways”. This means education should not be limited to the four walls of the classroom alone, skills acquired directly or indirectly are what will shape our kids to become fine young men and women. What are Life Skills? A set of basic rules that are gained through learning or with direct experiences in life are termed Life Skills. These skills enable individuals to tackle various sorts of issues & problems effectively which are commonly faced in daily life. They are the abilities for adaptive & positive behavior that enable human beings to deal with every life challenge & situation effectively. One needs them to make the most out of life. In short, any life skill which is useful in life can be considered a life skill. Talking about school children, these rules also equip students to thrive in the classroom & in the world outside. Why are Skills important? Life Skills are important as these bring positive effects on the life of an individual. In this 21st century, all these skills are essential to gain success not only for a healthy society but also for successful individuals. Thus, it is important to evolve skill training among children from an early age itself. What is Life Skills Education? Activities like critical thinking, creative art & craft work, decision-making, problem-solving, ability to collaborate & communicate along with a sense of res...