The current education system stuffs students’ brains with concepts but fails to understand that information cannot be called knowledge until the system provides the opportunity to test it in a practical way and obtain the desired results. Students know many things in theory, but they fail to implement them in real life, simply because they lack the skills of practical application. To encourage students to acquire skills, the classroom must be connected to the field. Industries are suffering from lack of skilled labor as candidates are looking for jobs. To put an end to this, the government should understand in which aspects industries reject candidates and improve their skills. It should also plan for the future by teaching required skills to students and introducing them early. The skills development program should also teach students about the dignity of work, producing high quality and competitive products, emphasizing value-added services, and increasing local employment opportunities.

– Chunduri Rangarao, Chairman, Prakasam District Development Forum, Ongole

Skills development is the need of the hour. Simply following a 10+2+3 formation makes no sense. Many students who pursue studies do not find employment without developing skills. In fact, a 3-year course should include a year-long skill development training in any industry. When this happens, the trained students may be absorbed into the business itself. I don’t know what the Skills Development Corporation or the proposed university would do to hone the skills of the students.

– Yarava Prakash, Computer Institute, Anantapur

Education should be practically oriented rather than a traditional theoretical pursuit. Practice-based education can improve skills in their respective fields. Nowadays, a student after his baccalaureate or diploma in any discipline would not get a job or an opportunity only with theoretical knowledge without skills. Technology takes new forms every day, which is why industries also expect skilled employees. To meet the requirement and overcome the competition, skill-based education is a must for a student.

– V Devesh, B Tech (ECE) from NIT, Trichy, Tirupati

The dominance of corporations in our education system has led to a tendency to focus only on grades rather than practical skills. Technical education graduates lack the real skills and knowledge required for industry. Our educational system is limited only to awarding degrees in various fields such as teaching, engineering, management, services and industrial sectors. But graduates and degree holders cannot find employment due to lack of appropriate skills. Thus, skills development and practical education must be given priority at all levels in all professional and degree courses and should be made compulsory. Only then can unemployment and underemployment be successfully addressed. Our education system must also shift to skills development, hands-on approach, work experience, internship and apprenticeship to enable students to have good opportunities soon after classes end.

– Sannasetti Rajasekhar, President, AP Teachers’ Federation in undivided AP, Srikakulam city

I hope that NEP-2020 can transform traditional education into competency-based education in which a graduating student after completing his three-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline will have an additional year of training based on skills. This system can bring a new trend in education with students coming out of the institution after graduation with skills suited to deal with the sector in which they are employed. Students are also showing interest in skills-based education to meet today’s competition for jobs. Students after their studies may or may not get a job, but they would be able to lead a quality life due to their skills in their respective fields or branches.

– Prof Lokanatha Valluru, Dean, Department of Biotechnology, Dravidian University, Kuppam

The government should focus on improving the skills of students to get better placements from the intermediary. Due to the lack of skills, students who have obtained engineering degrees and diplomas do not get jobs. Parents and teachers should motivate students to improve their skills. Engineering schools organize training courses for students to improve their communication skills. AP Skill Development Corporation provides training to students to improve their skills. Students should take advantage of the facility to improve their skills.

– Dr. T Sevakumar, social activist, Guntur

If education encourages and challenges students to practice curiosity and emotional intelligence, I believe it can produce more individuals who engage in cross-disciplinary, cross-functional, and collaborative activities. Education is preparation for life, and only part of it is developing work-related skills. There should be more emphasis on equipping students with a holistic education.

– Rohit Dutta, B.Sc. Physical Science Student, Visakhapatnam

It is unfortunate that many students focus on degrees and diplomas without acquiring the skills necessary for their successful careers. Without skills development, it would be difficult for anyone to thrive. Acquiring degrees is not a big task these days. Qualified people will have a secure future. Considering the importance of skills development, the government has established a number of PA Skills Development Centers. I advise the student community to undergo training in skills development centers as well as diplomas.

– N Pavan Kumar, IT Professional, Chittoor

Degrees and diplomas without proper professional knowledge and skills are of no use to students. Thousands of young people graduate from various educational institutions every year, but less than 5% are selected during on-campus interviews. This trend has been going on for a long time. Today, the time has come for a total overhaul of the education system and priority must be given to the development of students’ skills. Young people are disappointed with the lack of job opportunities and proper opportunities to build their careers. The government should give serious thought to skills development and other activities such as communication skills to help them find employment and settle into a profession.

– MS Rao, furniture dealer, Vijayawada