Dr K S Chandrasekar
India is poised to be the largest pool of learners in the age group of 15-25 years. Indian education systems have gone through series of changes since the last decade and the latest added being the National Educational Policy 2020. A sea change of educational reforms have been put forward by the same which has ushered in the knowledge, skills and attitude components of the learning abilities of the students. These sweeping reforms have started showing results as there is also a cafeteria approach to learning process providing ample opportunities for the students to decide on the courses they can choose and decide what next to pursue. At this stage, students are able to understand what is on offer but the first generation parents find it difficult to comprehend.
The curriculum revised in line with NEP at Cluster University of Jammu and other universities aim to build entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, attitudes, behavior and inculcate more employability and a sense of entrepreneurial orientation among the students. As remarked by the LG, Manoj Sinha, Jammu and Kashmir has implemented NEP in its all universities and there by being the front runner in the Higher education and placement scenario of the country. All the students admitted in undergraduate programs are provided with induction session on the various Major courses, Minor courses, Skill enhancement courses, Multi-disciplinary courses, Ability enhancement courses, internships and projects. Now comes the question of a student’s opting exit for a certificate program in first year, diploma program in second year, degree in third year and honors degree in the fourth year. First generation parents are oblivious of the possibilities and may not show much importance to these possibilities and also the options where a student can break his study for either entrepreneurship or for employment and then join back where he left in any institution with Academic Bank of Credit. There is a consistent effort needed from institutions to appraise the first generation parents who are sending their children for higher education.
Counselling and mentoring is part of this process which should include parents also in this purpose. Half yearly appraisals will enable the parents to understand how the student is pursuing his studies. These first generation parents take pride in proclaiming their children’s achievements as they could not pursue. The same is the case with the parents with undergraduate degrees in other than the program their children are undertaking. There is a clamor for engineering degrees as the parents feel that it is lucrative as compared to other fields. With the advent of run of the mill institutions, sometimes the parents are not able to understand that sending the child to such institutions can be fatal. This has paved way for quality enhancements among institutions with NAAC, NBA accreditations. Such accreditations need to be made aware among the first generation parents. Those first generation parents who are from rural areas require support from the local bodies on the potential opportunities for their children and institute Centre for Appropriate Technologies which can help the parents also in terms of the programs to be chosen by their children.
Of late there are many agencies who are promoting study abroad and even though it’s a welcome move, care should be taken to understand international markets, visa issues, internship possibilities, earn while you learn programs, placement opportunities etc.,. In most cases, parents look for glamour and sending their children to institutions that are not ranked properly in QS or ARWU ranking. This results in many of the students after completing the program need to return back to India for career opportunities. Parents need to understand that many of the students of foreign countries are making a beeline to study in India with its immense learning possibilities and plethora of programmes on offer. Hence it would be advisable that in case if the program of study is not available in India, then they should go to foreign countries. Added to this is that many foreign universities have sought permission to start their campuses in India.
According to M-Tutor which did a study among 100 engineering educations in various states found that around 65% of students enrol in engineering are because of the compulsions of the parents. This is alarming as most of them who complete the prestigious degree will compete with the graduates for positions in the public service commission where the eligibility is a mere degree. It was seen that for the police constable positions for which examinations were conducted by the JKPSC, there were more than 5.5 lakhs applications. This would include those who completed professional degrees. The purpose of a professional degree is defeated when they compete for positions which are not in their field of study. Even the graduates of Civil and Mechanical engineers are now offered positions in campus placement in IT and ITES areas have gone against the conventional professional degrees. This prompted universities and institutions to offer programmes that are contemporary and futuristic. But the parents need to be understanding whether such programs will last for decades.
The aviation sector is booming in India. As per reports, the number of operational airports in the country has doubled from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024 and the aim is to increase this number to 350-400 by 2047 which is still adequate considering the mass movement using the airlines. What is the trend now is that students who complete degree, post-graduation and professional programmes are now seeking to be part of this growth by being a pilot in airlines. Many of them would have spent about a minimum of five years for their regular program and then seek to be a commercial pilot. This will take another three years for them and by the time they are employed, they would have completed a formal education for a period of more than eight years. This is where parents need to apply caution. Those parents who are in the aviation sector understand this and if their children want to pursue this career, they will send them for obtaining the licence well in advance after their schooling. The first generation parents who are not aware of this will fall to the trap as they would have sent their wards for graduation. Here, it is important for the parents to assess the passion for their children towards flying by the time they complete tenth standard. This will avoid unnecessary time and money constraints.
Hence, it is important that governments and universities need to create Institute of Appropriate Technology with those with Engineering or Post Graduate degrees and Counselling support to ensure the parents are explained of the possible future programs for their children through a series of counselling involving the first generation parents and the children so that they can be channelized to the right career. It is important for a country that their citizens are productive and efficient and in turn contribute to the economy. In order to achieve the Viksit Bharat 2047, both parents and their children who are planning for higher education need to be part of the growth process with clear understanding of the path to success. In order to fulfil the complete meaning of the Upanishad quote of “Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava”, it is important that parents need to be looked upon for direction than social media. It’s high time we need focus in this very pivotal aspect of our society.
( The author is Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu)
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