Expectations of Education leaders for 2020

Education sector is set to witness one of the biggest changes in its history in the coming future in India. Emerging trends will help shift the curriculum from strictly marks based to one which takes into account a student’s overall development. Efforts are being made to make education more industry based as most of what students currently study is not something which they use when they join companies. 

The New Education policy aims to provide free education to girls, develop world class industrial workforce that is at par with global standards and provide spiritual learning for sound mental health. With the help of technological tools teachers will be able to instill and home more creative and independent thinking, problem solving and soft skills among children which have a direct impact on their ability to find good jobs in the corporate world.

Technology has already been the catalyst in overcoming some of these challenges and is now all set to underpin the emerging trends in education which will cater to the demand of individuals, learners, institutions and the industry in general. Some of the education trends powered by technology will be Augmented Reality and Gamification, Interest based learning, social and emotional learning, self paced learning, Internet of things (IoT), Block chain and the use of LTE chrome books. 

Here are the views of some of our education experts on the future of education industry in 2020 and beyond:

Dr. Narendra Shyamsukha, Founder & Chairman, ICA Edu Skills

Vocational training in India is all set to see a rise with many virtual and augmented reality simulations helping students learn and practice job skills that will result in direct employment. Vocational training courses will not only enable students to acquire different techniques but will come in handy if students want to get that extra skill which gives them an upper hand over other candidates while appearing for job interviews. Vocational training in institutes and schools will help reduce the burden on regular curriculum as education itself will become more diversified with students focusing not only on theoretical study but also on the other aspects. This will help those students in particular who have not completed primary or secondary education and have entered workforce age without these credentials.  Vocational courses require no particular experience and can be completed in a short duration and with greater use of technology in the coming years it will be way easier to impart the teachings that will enable students to get industry based jobs. 

Dr. RL Raina, Vice Chancellor, JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur

The overall education system in India is all set to undergo a massive change in 2020 and beyond as both government-based and private educational institutions like schools and colleges will embrace technology to provide new methods of learning to students. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), among others will equip students with skill sets and competencies that they can employ on the job and in the industries that they choose to work with. It is not news that India has an acute shortage of teachers at elementary, secondary and even at the higher levels of education. Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) of the Government of India states that there is a shortage of over a million teachers across the country. And, the usage of these new technologies in Indian classrooms is the need of the hour. The growing penetration of mobile phones in the country has helped students learn anywhere and at any time, which has prompted institutions to use digital tools for teaching as they help students learn at their own pace without feeling the pressure to match their peers. This will help every student form a basic understanding of the main concept which is crucial to the subject. The new trending technologies of today will also play a massive role in breaking down difficult concepts to students with the help of live examples, the details of which they can pay close attention to, thanks to unprecedented developments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).  

Mr.Rachit Jain, Founder & CEO,Youth4Work

The New Year will be considered as a silver lining for the Indian job market. About 41% of respondents said the job market will be positive in the Year 2020. The major hiring trends for 2019 were automation, artificial intelligence and were more driven by niche skills, new-age positions and roles. Though the initial quarter of 2020 looks little gloomy since the GDP growth has gone down and the organisations are being cautious for their expansions or new initiatives, the second half of the year looks promising in terms of job opportunities of the companies resume looking at business expansion and new initiatives. In terms of salary and increments, various HR firms and experts believe the year 2020 will see a muted activity. According to the latest Q3 2019 Salary Budget Planning Report released by Willis Towers Watson, salaries in India are projected to rise 10 per cent in 2020, marginally higher than the actual increase (9.9 per cent) in 2019.

New Delhi, Jun 20: As part of measures to check the spread of covid-19, Indian Railways is likely to stop distributing blankets and pillows in trains to AC passengers in coming days and it will make arrangements for sale at stalls on platforms.

The railways already stopped distributing blankets and pillows in 15 pair Special Rajdhani trains and 100 pair of fixed timetabled special trains, which is being operted at present. The system of not distributing blanks and pillows may continue in future once train operations normalise, said the official.

Passengers are encouraged to bring their own blankets and pillows. However same will be made available for purchase at shops so that if passengers want they can buy it, said an official.

The railways also made arrangements to sell sanitisers, masks and gloves at shops. The national transporter also said sale price should not exceed maximum retail price.

As per the Railway Board circular to zonal railways, " Amongst the items which fulfill the needs of travelling public and in keeping with the emphasis for providing safe and hygine travel facilities to passengers, it must be ensured that take away bedrolls kits/items other COVID-19 related protective items such as masks, sanitiser, gloves etc are also made available for sale through multi purpose stalls."

All items should be in good quality and will be sold only at MRP rate, circular said. The railways has also permanently removed curtains inside the AC coaches.

Dubai, Jun 29: Saeed bin Ahmed Al Lootah, a pioneering Emirati businessman and the founder of the world's first Islamic bank, is no more. He breathed his last on June 28.

Born in 1923, Saeed was instrumental in setting up the Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) in 1975 to provide the community with a Sharia-compliant alternative to conventional banking.

He established several companies, organisations and societies, including the Dubai Consumer Cooperative. He also established the Islamic Education School in 1983 and the Dubai Medical College for Girls in 1986.

In 1992, Haj Saeed established the first College of Pharmacology in Dubai. Later he launched the Dubai Centre for Environmental Research, the Dubai Specialised Medical Centre, and the Medical Research Labs for health control and research into medicinal herbs and Islamic (Nabawi) medicine. He also set up an orphanage.

Saeed bin Ahmed Al Lootah was a self-made businessman who progressed from being a seafarer and trader to an accomplished tutor, author, economist, banker, entrepreneur, businessman and visionary community leader.

According to details available on the S.S. Lootah Group website, his "fervent adherence to the core values of education, cooperation and economy" helped empower "people to excel at everything they do".

"He realised the need to build permanent houses and ventured into construction. His 'capital' at that time were his skills, knowledge and hard work," the website said.

He laid the foundation of S.S.Lootah Contracting Company as a joint venture with his brother Sultan in 1956. "With the enduring values of education, cooperation and economy set as the foundations of his work, Haj Saeed started a number of businesses as well as not-for-profit education and research ventures, with an aim to serve the people of the UAE.

"Thanks to his vision and leadership, our home grown ventures continue to demonstrate unique values that extend well beyond its functional benefits - creating greater economic, social and environmental benefits for people in UAE and beyond."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, took to Twitter on Sunday to offer his respects.

Sheikh Mohammed said: "He was a trader who started with nothing. His touch is visible in several aspects of the Dubai economy."

Calling the deceased a "wise and smart man", Sheikh Mohammed said: "May Allah bless his soul and grant his family the strength to endure and persevere."

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, also paid his respects. "He combined economic leadership with charitable work. He launched charitable educational institutions and sponsored many orphans. His memory will live on. May Allah have mercy on him and grant his family patience."

حط رحاله عند ربه اليوم الحاج سعيد أحمد آل لوتاه.. أنشأ أول بنك إسلامي في العالم، وكان تاجراً عصامياً له بصماته في اقتصاد دبي..له يد طولى في الخير.. وهو أب للكثير من الأيتام .. عرفت فيه عقلاً راجحاً وحكمة وسكينة.. رحمك الله.. وتقبل عملك .. وألهم أهلك الصبر والسلوان .. pic.twitter.com/SOKzXl9meq

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) June 28, 2020