Is the next generation of India ready for the future?
In 2019, India entered a 37-year period of Demographic Dividend(1). According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Demographic Dividend is “a boost in economic productivity that occurs when there are growing numbers of people in the workforce relative to the number of dependents(2).” Many Asian economies were able to utilise this shift in order to rapidly develop their country. However, is there any benefit in having a Demographic Dividend unless the nation’s youth are educated as per global standards?
According to UNICEF, India would have an excess of 30 crore Secondary School Graduates by 2030. This will make India the country with the largest youth population. This article by India Today discusses the skills that India needs to train its students in if we are to harvest this Demographic Dividend. These skills include Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Collaboration, Scientific Temper, Resource Management etc. To know more about these skill sets and their importance, please read the article.
These are the same skills that VentureVillage as an organisation looks to promote in schools that we work in. Our courses are designed to enable our students to become global citizens. By focusing on key skills like Communication, Collaboration, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, our courses equip all students with the skills required to become Entrepreneurial Citizens, Responsible Leaders and Environmental Champions. To learn more about us, please visit www.venturevillage.world.
References:
1) https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/india-enters-37-year-period-of-demographic-dividend/articleshow/70324782.cms?from=mdr
2) http://www.unfpa.org/demographic-dividend