The gallop of technology is so fast that new skills are needed every second day. Unless the new generation is equipped for change they cannot compete in the digital era.
There is a tremendous amount of energy produced in that age group. Unless that is properly channelled there will be problems for the child as well society. Skill development is an important aspect of finding a healthy outlet for an adolescent. Starting this exercise from the middle school level will expose them to different work environments and ease their entry later to a regular work environment.
In regular workplaces
When children reach high school their participation in regular workplaces can be recommended. Some industries can be identified and the employees given some incentive. Children can be given some stipend. This will help the parents, those belonging to the lower strata of society in particular, who will be only happy.
For them, and for the grown-up children who drop out at this level, there is hope for jobs when they finish school. In high school, children coming from impoverished backgrounds with no external help find it difficult to cope with the syllabus. At the elementary, entry-level, the one-book, one-teacher norm may be implemented.
If the child is made to learn any one language well from elementary school, with all subjects taught in that language, that will make it easier for them. In later years to participate in school academics such reforms take time and involves the participation of various organisations. But at the school level some reforms can be done.
Different syllabi
More than one type of syllabus can be tried. There can be bridge courses and tests the children can take in order to go to the next level. Such models are being tried in many European countries with success.
Up to Class 5, children may be encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities. For the next three years they can start participating in skill development activities. The final years of schooling can be spent in real jobs.
In India, such a move will take some time to take roots. But today there is a great enthusiasm to make India become self-sufficient. The Make in India campaign and the start-up India mantra are everywhere. This is the opportune moment to bring changes in education. Already, steps are being taken to bring changes in higher education.
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