Pradhan: Industry must step in to strengthen schools

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called for greater industry participation in school education, vocational training, and research and development (R&D), urging corporates to work closely with states to strengthen government schools and improve learning outcomes under the National Education Policy (NEP). 

Addressing the Annual Business Summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Pradhan stressed the need to make school education more experiential and practice-orientated. He proposed that students from Class IX onwards undertake short internships of seven to 15 days in factories, retail establishments, and corporate offices to gain hands-on exposure to the world of work.

The Minister encouraged industries to support “credit conversion” systems that would integrate skill-based learning with academic progression and career pathways. The government, he said needed industry support in areas like nutrition, infrastructure development, and vocational education in schools.

Highlighting reforms under the NEP, Pradhan said skilling, arts, and sports had been introduced as subjects from Class VI onwards to reduce excessive dependence on textbook-based learning.

On innovation and research, the Minister expressed concern over low private-sector investment in R&D despite the government creating a Rs 1 trillion fund for the sector. Referring to initiatives such as “Bharat Innovate”, he urged companies to focus on indigenous innovation and reduce reliance on imported technologies.

The Department of School Education Secretary, also present at the Summit, highlighted challenges in secondary education, noting that only 62 out of every 100 students entering Class I complete Class XII. He said improving learning outcomes, teacher training, and vocational education remained key priorities, adding that only about 9 per cent of Indian high-school students currently opt for skill-based courses.