By Arun Rajamani
India is now the most populous country in the world and more than 65% of its population is below 35. The demographic dividend allows the country to have a young workforce, which in turn puts an increasing onus on this cohort’s education and skill development to prepare them for a rapidly evolving global economy. Given that today’s learners have different needs and realities than those in earlier generations, it is imperative to engage with them in a manner that benefits them most.
Let us look at five key aspects that will redefine classrooms in 2025.
Flexible learning for a personalised experience
It’s an approach that stresses on tailoring the learning experience to the needs, interests, and personalities of each student. It’s about moving beyond traditional rote learning and moving away from rigid curriculums, allowing learners to choose subjects and areas of study that they are passionate about. This approach acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all model has its limitations, and that personalised learning paths can lead to more engaged, motivated, and successful learners. Through a choice-based curriculum that allows personalised learning plans and project-based learning, schools can slowly take steps towards this change. Ultimately, flexible learning is about encouraging curiosity and ensuring that young learners are empowered to decide what interests them.
Developing a future-ready workforce
The 2024 Economic Survey reveals that the employability rate of the youth is 51.25% and there is a severe skill gap among the youth in India. A strong skill set is a necessity for nurturing successful future leaders in a hypercompetitive world. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report, analytical thinking and creative thinking were the most important skills for the workforce. In fact, analytical thinking is considered a core skill by more companies than any other skill and constitutes, on average, 9% of the core skills reported by companies.
In recent years, we have seen discussions on reskilling and skills gaps have taken centre stage in the larger workforce transformation discourse. Supporting learners with future skills such as shaping an entrepreneurial mindset or imparting English as a skill will become a priority. To bridge the skill-employability gap, the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing (LSRW) skills, along with overall literacy progression, is essential and both industry and academia need to collaborate for the same.
Prioritising climate education
Even as nearly 710 million children currently live in countries facing the brunt of the climate crisis, no child will escape the impact of a planet increasingly ravaged by extreme weather. As parents and educators, we must initiate open conversations about its impact and the need for eco-conscious practices, however small. Such conversations are essential, especially during the formative years when children are most curious and developing a unique worldview. By integrating climate education in the curricula, we can provide learners with the means necessary to take key steps towards mitigating the environmental crisis.
However, only 53% of national school curriculum worldwide mention climate change, and when they do, the topic is nearly always given very little prominence, according to UNESCO statistics from 100 nations. These numbers might have improved over the years with growing awareness but there is still a long way to go when it comes to adopting a proper, hands-on approach to climate literacy in schools.
Harnessing the potential of Gen AI
The long-standing debate about the impact of generative AI on the quality of education is no secret. With a population of over 1.4 billion, including millions of students from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, AI has the potential to close the gaps in educational accessibility and quality.
Ethical use of AI has massive potential. The influence of artificial intelligence in education is felt in the areas of personalised experiences for learners and helping educators accelerate administrative work. The emphasis should be on integrating AI and technology into education in a way that enhances pupil-centred learning, empowering both educators and learners while promoting a fairer, more adaptable future.
Upskilling the educators
Our learners would not be able to benefit from a newly transformed education landscape until and unless the knowledge is being imparted in the right manner. Training programmes need to keep pace with the evolving education landscape. Continuous professional development is essential to keep educators updated with the latest pedagogical strategies and tools. Training in emotional intelligence, inclusive education, and technology integration will significantly enhance teaching quality.
In conclusion, I would like to add that as our learners’ battle with information overload and the uncertainty of the world around, we should emphasise on their well-being. With learner well-being at the heart of every change, we need to seize fresh opportunities, adapt, and evolve our approaches to provide the best possible education and experience.
The author is Managing Director of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, South Asia.
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