On Upskilling Rural Youth

Source: This post on Upskilling Rural Youth has been created based on the article “Why is upskilling necessary for the rural youth?” published in “The Hindu” on 4th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Indian Economy – Issues related to Employment.

GS Paper 2 Social Justice – Issues relating to Human Resources.

News: The article discusses the issue of the education and skilling of rural youth. It highlights steps to control the migration of rural youth, as well as improving the education available to them.

With almost 50% of India’s population set to be living in urban areas by 2047, the focus shifts on developing rural areas. In this context, making the youth in rural India employment-ready is of utmost importance.

How can migration of rural youth be controlled?

The following steps can be used to control migration of rural youth to urban areas in search of meaningful employment:

1. Making Agriculture an Aspirational Vocation among rural youth: The rural economy is experiencing a major occupational shift with more farmers quitting agriculture to join non-farming jobs.
2. Creating alternative employment opportunities is also important.
3. Improving vocational training: This can imbibe relevant rural skills in youth so that they can secure a living where they currently live.
   According to a survey, 2/3rds of youth had never taken any vocational training.
   Also, the current vocational education landscape in rural India (comprising Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)) lack placement opportunities.
4. Skill Development: Presently, rural education scarcely focuses on skill development. Skills in fields like agricultural mechanisation, nursing and digital technologies can be imparted.

The Delhi government’s ‘Skills On Wheel’ initiative can be emulated in this regard.

How can rural education be improved?

1. Imparting Technical as well as Life skills: These are needed to empower youth and hence should be made accessible through formal education.
2. Incorporating International Best Practices: Initiatives such as Mexico’s tele-schools and Bhutan’s well-being-infused curriculum can be replicated. The tele-schools can provide a higher level of access to education for remote areas.
3. Role of Civil Society and NGOs: For instance, organisations such as NIIT Foundation and Pratham Institute are working with children in rural areas to provide upskilling opportunities.

Through these initiatives, employability of rural youth in both traditional and non-traditional trades can be raised, leading to a vibrant economy.

Question for practice:

What steps can be taken to control the migration of rural youth to urban areas? How can rural education be improved in this context?