Importance of Skill based curriculum in schools: Lina Ashar, Founder, Dreamtime Learning

Lina Ashar, Founder, Dreamtime Learning also Founder Emeritus of Kangaroo Kids Preschool & Billabong High International School shares her thoughts on importance of skill-based education at school level.

Skill-based education, I personally feel, holds a significant role in transforming learners' personal and professional growth. The transition from the traditional mode of education to the technologically advanced education phase has reformed the entire ecosystem.

Drive skill-based curriculum

As we look to broaden our economy and become the third-largest economy in the world, it is important to revisit various aspects. Amid severe economic fluctuations, volatile geopolitics, the recovery from the pandemic and the impending climate crisis, the global job market is undergoing rapid transformation. This necessitates re-evaluating India's education system, incorporating novel concepts and interdisciplinary approaches in educating the nation's youth through acquiring knowledge and skills. This skill-based education is applicable in areas such as technology, engineering or business and has fostered across sectors. New technologies have ushered us into a new era of exponential growth, and Learning based on skills is now essential.

Transformation with Skill-based Education

Skill development starts at a younger age and is guided and supported by parents, guardians, teachers and school. Young people must be equipped with a range of competencies, including knowledge, skill sets, attitudes and values, to make well-informed decisions, manage their emotional well-being, effectively communicate, collaborate, and most importantly, develop a growth mindset.

In the competitive age, we must break away from the practice of repetitive learning and focus on equipping students with the skills they need to be successful in the future workforce and develop mindsets that enable them to thrive and positively contribute to the society they inhabit.

Strengthening the system, our government has also reformed various initiatives and policies fostering immersive learning and improving the quality of education.

One of the recent policies, National Educational Policy 2020, is a pioneering initiative that has transformed the Indian education sector. It is anticipated to enhance the educational outcomes of students in both primary and secondary education institutions. The shift in the market from a 'learning-based' model to a 'skill-based' model is attributed to the policy. As per National Education Policy 2020, it emphasizes the importance of practical, on-the-job training rather than classroom instruction. The government's objective through this initiative is to align with the 2030 Programme for Sustainable Development, which seeks to promote inclusive and equitable education and lifelong learning for all.

Aligned with a similar approach, I feel that education is at the heart of developing nations, societies and economies. The quality of education significantly impacts the level of critical skills of human capital. The holistic development of children must be emphasized in education to equip them with the necessary skills to meet the demands and difficulties of life in the twenty-first century. Curricular improvements must be implemented to make the academic system more suitable for developing twenty-first-century skills. I always say that School education should not only focus on the academic curriculum but also foster critical inquiry and creativity in kids.

This necessitates an adaptive or dynamic curriculum. A dynamic curriculum is a set of courses that adds value. These courses are designed to help students develop a competitive advantage, critical thinking skills, creative thinking and the practical application of ideas. Education must prepare students for the challenges of the future. In a rapidly changing world, where AI, Automation and Digitization are transforming the way we live and work, it's more important than ever to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

My philosophy for our young minds is centred on empowering students to become innovative problem solvers with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Education should be hands-on and experiential, allowing students to apply what they learn to real-world challenges. One should embrace an interdisciplinary approach to learning, where students are encouraged to explore the intersections between subjects and to think creatively and critically about the world around them.

Let's look at how education is anchored and directed by the curriculum and what makes it valuable;

Holistic Development: Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Adaptability are all core competencies that are essential for overall growth. A skill-driven curriculum combines these competencies with academic knowledge, allowing students to develop well-rounded individuals.

Secondly, we must agree that creative, innovative and problem-oriented skills are essential for developing an Entrepreneurial mindset.

Brain and behavioural approaches should definitely be adapted to the list of curriculums. For personal growth, introspection and the ability to recognize one's own emotions, thoughts and behaviours and how they impact others. It is the foundation for personal growth and self-improvement.

As the world continues to become more interconnected, it is essential to provide students with the necessary skills to succeed in various cultural and global settings. A skills-based curriculum encourages students to develop cultural competencies, global knowledge and effective international communication.

Future-ready Education: As technology evolves, the need for education to be prepared for the future is becoming increasingly urgent. A skill-based curriculum addresses this issue by emphasizing adaptive and transferable skills, allowing students to adapt and thrive in a constantly evolving environment.

A skill-based curriculum in schools is essential in order to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the ever-evolving world in which they will be entering. Furthermore, it encourages personalized learning, a business-like attitude, a global outlook and a future-oriented approach to education, allowing students to adjust to the ever-changing demands of the modern world. By implementing a skill-based approach in schools, students can develop into well-rounded people with the skills they need to succeed both in life and work.

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