India’s education sector has been a victim of rigidity, we have tried to change it: PM Modi

Prime Minister Modi said, “NEP has brought flexibility and realigned the education system according to future needs… Youth and their future has been given top priority in Amrit Kal Budget. Over the years, our education sector has suffered from inflexibility, we have tried to change that. We have reconfigured education and skills to meet the needs of the youth of tomorrow.”

Equal emphasis is being laid on both education and skills as part of the new education policy and expressed happiness that the move has won the support of teachers, he said.

The Prime Minister also said that the move encourages the government to further reform the education and skill sectors and free students from past regulations.

Highlighting the experience of the pandemic, the Prime Minister said that new technologies are helping to create new types of classrooms. He noted that the government is focusing on tools that ensure ‘anywhere access to knowledge’ and gave the example of SWAYAM, an e-learning platform with 3 crore members.

Highlighting ‘on-the-job learning’, the Prime Minister noted the special emphasis of various countries and highlighted the central government’s efforts to provide focused internships and apprenticeships to expose its youth ‘beyond the classroom’.

“Today there are nearly 75,000 employers on the National Internship Portal where requirements for 25 lakh internships have been posted so far,” PM Modi said.

He urged the industry and educational institutes to make maximum use of this portal and expand the culture of internship in the country.

The Prime Minister expressed his belief that apprenticeships will future-proof the youth and highlighted the government’s efforts to promote apprenticeships in India. He said this would help industries identify workforce with the right skill set.

Highlighting this year’s budget, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the provision of stipends for nearly 50 lakh youth under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme.

Emphasizing the need for a skilled workforce, the Prime Minister said the world is looking at India as a manufacturing hub while keen to invest in the country.

He highlighted the focus on skills in this year’s budget and mentioned the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 which will skill, re-skill and up-skill millions of youth in the coming years. He informed that programs are being customized to meet the needs of tribals, disabled and women through this project.

PM Modi also highlighted the focus on creating a skilled workforce for Industry 4.0 for sectors like AI, robotics, IoT and drones, making it easier for international investors to find talent without spending a lot of energy and resources on re-skilling.

Under the PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana, emphasis is placed on skill development of traditional artisans, artisans and artists to prepare them for a new market and help them get better prices for their products.