Ms. Roopali Mehra is the CEO & Founder of Mytransform. She is an accounting & finance graduate from the London School of Economics with an MBA from Rollins College in Florida. 
Roopali strongly believes that education must lead to successful employment. Her venture, ‘MyTransform’ is an AI-based application for career guidance and skill development and provides these services to young students at the base of the pyramid. In 2021, the platform was adopted by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, where it benefited over 30,000 youth. It is certified by the Education Alliance, Finland, and is a part of the United Nations Development Programme.
In this opinion piece, Roopali talks about the prevailing scenario of education and skilling in India, the gaps that exist between different sections and more importantly the simple solutions that can make a difference.
Scroll down for the opinion piece.
Education and skill development for marginalised communities is a topic of utmost importance in today's world. Education has always been considered as one of the most powerful tools for empowerment, but unfortunately, millions of people across the globe are still deprived of it. Marginalised communities face enormous challenges when it comes to accessing quality education and skill development opportunities.
A study conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) in 2017-18 found that only 10.7% of households in rural areas and 27.2% of households in urban areas had a member who received vocational training in the past five years. Access to education and skill development opportunities can enable individuals to break the cycle of poverty, improve their economic status, and contribute to the development of their communities. In this article, we will delve deeper into how education and skill development can empower under-represented communities around the world.
Education as a Tool for Empowerment
Education is a powerful tool that can be used to empower marginalised communities.By fostering empathy and understanding between different groups, education helps build stronger communities that are better able to address shared challenges. Education enables individuals to think critically, communicate effectivelyand make informed decisions.
For many marginalised communities, education has been historically inaccessible or inadequate.“Annual Status of Education Report" by Pratham (2020) provides data on the status of education in India, including enrollment, learning outcomes, and school infrastructure. This has perpetuated social inequalities and limited economic opportunities for those without access to quality education. By providing access to education, we can help level the playing field and create more equitable societies.
Innovative Approaches to Education
Innovative approaches to education are essential for marginalised communities. Traditional methods of teaching may not be effective or engaging enough for these individuals. One example of an innovative approach is community-based learning, which involves incorporating the local culture and environment into the curriculum.
The National Educational Policy(NEP) 2020 report by the Ministry of Education states that under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, the government will provide free education to all children from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, with a focus on girls and children with special needs. Additionally, the NEP 2020 aims to increase the public expenditure on education from the current 4.43% of GDP to 6% of GDP.
Another approach is technology-enhanced learning, which uses digital tools such as online courses and educational apps to provide access to education anytime, anywhere. This method can be especially beneficial for those in remote areas who have limited access to traditional schools.
Project-based learning is another innovative approach that encourages students to engage in hands-on activities and solve real-world problems. This type of learning helps develop critical thinking skills while also providing practical experience.
Personalised learning tailors the curriculum to individual students' needs by using data analysis and adaptive technologies. This approach can help address the diverse needs of marginalised communities with different backgrounds and levels of education.
Skill Development for Economic Empowerment
Skill development is a crucial aspect of empowering marginalised communities, especially when it comes to economic empowerment. It helps individuals develop specific skills that they can use for their livelihoods and improve their chances of finding employment opportunities.
One way to achieve this is through vocational training programs that offer practical skills in areas such as plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work. These skills are highly valued and in demand by many industries, opening new career paths for individuals from marginalised communities who may not have had access to formal education.
Another approach is entrepreneurship development programs that provide guidance on starting and running small businesses. These programs help individuals gain the necessary knowledge and tools to turn their ideas into successful ventures, creating jobs for themselves and others in their community.
The Role of Technology
The importance of technology in promoting education and skill development for under-represented communities cannot be overstated. Technology offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between access to quality education and training, especially for individuals living in remote or resource-limited areas. By leveraging technological advancements such as online learning platforms, interactive tools and virtual reality, individuals from under-represented communities can access training and educational resources that were previously unavailable to them.
The "India Skills Report 2021" found that there has been an increase in online learning and upskilling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report states that technology-enabled learning can help bridge the skills gap for marginalised communities, especially those in rural areas.
Additionally, technology also offers innovative ways of delivering educational content such as gamification, interactive videos and simulations which can make learning more engaging and fun. It can also facilitate communication between learners and instructors, allowing for personalised feedback which helps students better understand concepts they may be struggling with.
Conclusion
Education and skill development are crucial for marginalised communities to break the cycle of poverty and achieve economic empowerment. The launch of the Skill India Mission in 2015 by the Prime Minister aimed to train more than 400 million individuals in various skills by 2022, under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The innovative approaches to education, such as community-based learning centers or mobile schools, can provide access to education for those who have been excluded due to social inequalities.
Moreover, skill development programs like vocational training or entrepreneurship courses can equip individuals with practical skills that enable them to earn a livelihood and support their families. Technology also plays a significant role in bridging the gap between under- represented communities and educational opportunities.
By investing in education and skill development initiatives geared towards empowering marginalised communities worldwide, we pave the way towards a brighter future that ensures no one gets left behind.
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