The report, “36% rural youth can’t name India’s capital, finds survey” (January 17), as reported by Pratham in its report 2017 Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) is a sad reflection on our current education system. Reading has become an aversion for the younger generation. There is hardly any difference between urban and rural students in this matter, the only difference being that urban children are smart enough to use electronic gadgets.
Experts in the field of education and policymakers must join hands and rationalise our education system to mould and prepare our younger generation for the job market once they complete their education. In the absence of such a policy change, our educational institutions will only continue to churn out students who will not fit in anywhere.
M.R.G. Murthy,
Mysuru
The findings are quite disturbing. Though the percentage looks small, it translates into a large number of young people. There is clearly something fundamentally wrong with the way in which education is being imparted. India is home to one of the largest populations of youth and given such dismissal outcomes, how are we going to reap the benefits of our demographic dividend? Imparting quality education and skill development is a must, failing which our huge youth population will turn out to be a liability.
Padmakar Gaikwad,
Pune
