Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Sunday that Chennai, September 21 (IANS) The Central Government is preparing to include skill-based education in the syllabus of Class 11 and 12 as per the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Speaking at the Dakshinapath Summit 2025 held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Pradhan emphasized the need for a paradigm change in teaching methods to make education more overall and practical.
The minister said, “We are at work to introduce skill-based courses at the senior secondary level. The National Education Policy has strongly recommended the change, and we believe it will empower the students to be ready for the future,” the minister said.
He said that the current education system has traditionally been degree-and certificate-oriented.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi properly emphasized that degrees and certificates are important, it is equally important to ensure that the students are competent and efficient. Our goal is to integrate practical skills in mainstream education and blow this difference,” said Pradhan.
The minister also revealed that the government is working towards embedding skill-based education quickly as class 6.
He said, “Earlier, skill development was alternative and selective. But moving forward, it would be a formal part of school education as a subject. It will not only ensure students to gain knowledge, but also develop relevant competence for the developed job market,” he explained.
Pradhan highlighted that this initiative marks a change for the vision of NEP 2020 to promote creativity, innovation and employment among students, ranging from learning from learning to qualified education.
“Skill-based learning is one of the primary recommendations of NEP 2020.
The proposed course is expected to cover a wide range of professional and practical skills sectors from the proposed course, allowing students to pursue higher education or directly enter the workforce with more confidence.
The Ministry of Education, Pradhan, said, is consulting with educational institutions, industry stakeholders and policy makers to frame the structure of the new course.
“This would be an important step in creating a grassroots and efficient workforce globally at the ground level,” he said.
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