When Professors Become Delivery Workers – A Grim Tale of India’s Outdated Education System
In a shocking reflection of the state of Indian education, a recent news article highlighted how a massive 70% drop in core engineering seats in Telangana has forced even experienced professors, some with postgraduate degrees, to work as delivery executives or run roadside stalls to make ends meet. This trend, though particularly severe in Telangana, is part of a larger national crisis. The situation starkly reveals the limitations of our traditional education system, which appears increasingly incapable of producing employable graduates or securing the futures of the very educators responsible for nurturing them.
The Misalignment Between Education and Employment
Over recent years, core engineering branches, like civil, mechanical, and electrical, have seen diminishing enrolment and a consequential drop in faculty employment. Engineering professors, who once taught with pride, are now left searching for alternative means of survival. Many have been forced to take on menial jobs, with some driving for cab services or delivering groceries to sustain their families. A professor with nearly two decades of experience shared how his salary had been slashed from Rs. 1.3 lakh to Rs. 50,000 per month, with management asking him to accept further cuts or resign.
This grim reality begs a crucial question: why is this happening in a country with an ever-growing population and demand for higher education? The answer is clear—our education system has failed to evolve with changing market dynamics, leaving academicians themselves unemployable or underemployed. Even with years of experience and qualifications, professors struggle to find alternative work, especially since their skills are not easily transferable to other industries. Their story serves as a cautionary tale for young students and their parents alike.
A Failing System: Outdated Curriculum and Oversaturation
The current curriculum for engineering and other traditional streams remains largely unchanged despite technological advancements and new industry demands. While global markets have embraced emerging fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity, many Indian colleges are still focused on old-world mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering, with limited emphasis on practical skills or new technologies. This rigid system results in an oversupply of graduates in obsolete fields, further saturating an already competitive job market.
The article mentions that many universities have either closed or scaled down their core engineering departments, and the employment statistics are alarming. Only 7,458 seats are filled out of the previously large intakes across engineering colleges, forcing students and professors alike to look elsewhere for survival. The situation reveals a painful truth: the education system is failing to prepare graduates for the modern world, leading to widespread unemployment among both graduates and their educators.
Some shocking statistics:
1. Graduate Unemployment Rates
- According to a report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India’s graduate unemployment rate stood at around 17% in recent years, significantly higher than the national average unemployment rate. This indicates that a large portion of graduates is struggling to find jobs, often due to a mismatch between their education and the skills required in the job market.
- A study by Aspiring Minds, an employability assessment company, found that 80% of Indian engineering graduates were unemployable in the knowledge economy due to inadequate technical and soft skills.
2. Declining Enrollment in Traditional Engineering Fields
- The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) reported a drop of 50% in enrollments in traditional engineering disciplines (like mechanical, civil, and electrical) over the last decade. These fields are increasingly seen as outdated, with limited employment opportunities, pushing students toward newer domains like computer science and data science.
- In 2023, AICTE data showed that over 50% of engineering seats in Indian colleges remain vacant, especially in branches like civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, signaling an oversupply of courses that no longer align with current job demands.
3. Mismatch Between Curriculum and Industry Needs
- The India Skills Report 2023 highlights that only 48.7% of Indian youth were found employable, primarily due to a lack of relevant skills. This means that over half of India’s youth, despite having formal education, are not “employable” by industry standards.
- According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, 85 million jobs may be displaced due to automation and technological shifts, while 97 million new roles may emerge. However, India’s education system is lagging in preparing students for these new, technology-driven roles.
4. Increasing Demand for Digital Skills
- A NASSCOM report on the future of work highlighted that 65% of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in completely new job types that don’t yet exist. However, traditional educational curriculums have not adapted quickly enough to incorporate essential digital and tech-based skills.
- LinkedIn’s 2023 Future of Skills report emphasized that digital skills like data analysis, cloud computing, and AI are increasingly in demand, while soft skills like problem-solving, creativity, and adaptability are becoming essential. This demand indicates a need for education planning that goes beyond traditional subjects.
5. Growing Skills Gap in Emerging Industries
- A report by FICCI-NASSCOM-EY states that over 2 million IT and data science jobs in India could go unfilled due to a shortage of qualified talent. This reflects the urgent need for education in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity.
- The World Bank highlighted that Indian education focuses more on rote learning than skill development, contributing to a large skills gap. Only 7% of Indian students aged 20-24 receive vocational training, compared to 96% in South Korea and 80% in Japan.
6. Parental Awareness and Career Counseling Gap
- A study by the Indian National Career Service found that only 10% of Indian schools offer career counseling, leading to a lack of guidance in choosing careers that align with both market demand and individual aptitude.
- Another survey by LinkedIn found that 60% of Indian parents were not aware of emerging career opportunities in fields like data science, digital marketing, and cybersecurity, often leading to outdated career choices for their children.
7. Youth Skill and Employment Disconnect
- The ILO 2020 Global Employment Trends for Youth reported that youth unemployment rates in India are among the highest in Asia. With over 33% of India’s population under the age of 15, the country needs to urgently address its education system to ensure employability for a massive future workforce.
- India has one of the youngest populations in the world with a median age of around 28 years, but without the right skills, this demographic advantage risks becoming a disadvantage, with millions potentially unemployed or underemployed.
The Need for Scientifically Designed Personalized Education Planning
In this challenging landscape, it is vital for parents to recognize the importance of scientifically designed, personalized education planning for their children. The traditional approach—choosing a field based on societal prestige or general employability—no longer guarantees a stable career. Instead, education should be tailored to align with each child’s unique skills, interests, and market trends. Personalized education planning goes beyond conventional guidance by using tools like potential intelligence assessments, which help in identifying a child’s natural aptitudes and strengths.
Imagine a future where a child, guided by data-driven insights, pursues a career path in a field aligned with their strengths and with genuine employment potential. This proactive approach would not only reduce the pressure on traditional education but also encourage the development of skills that are in demand in today’s economy. Such a shift requires a collective acknowledgment from both parents and educators that education must evolve with the times, embracing new industries and interdisciplinary skills to secure better futures for students.
A Call to Action for Parents
The crisis affecting professors is a call for urgent reform and a signal to parents to consider new educational strategies. Education must no longer be seen as a standardized path but rather as a journey that must be personalized. Given the rapid technological shifts and the globalized job market, it is essential to focus on comprehensive education planning, which considers market demands, individual potential, and sustainable career options.
Parents must go beyond the traditional mindset that engineering or other established fields guarantee success. Instead, they should seek expert guidance on educational and career planning for their children. By embracing scientifically designed, personalized education, they can help ensure their children’s futures are not jeopardized by an outdated system.
To help ensure their children are employable in a rapidly changing world, parents can take proactive steps that focus on both personal development and skill-building. Here’s an action plan to help parents guide their children toward successful, sustainable careers:
1. Early Assessment of Strengths and Interests
- Identify Core Aptitudes: Use scientifically validated assessments to understand your child’s inherent strengths, interests, and cognitive skills. Tools like Multiple Intelligences Theory or potential intelligence assessments can reveal natural tendencies that might otherwise go unnoticed.
- Encourage Exploration: Allow children to explore a wide range of activities, including arts, sciences, technology, and sports. Early exposure can help them discover their passions and strengths.
2. Focus on Essential Soft Skills
- Communication: Encourage reading, storytelling, debates, or public speaking activities to develop strong communication skills. This will prepare them for presentations, teamwork, and client interactions in any field.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Engage children in puzzles, strategy games, and problem-solving activities that develop logical reasoning. Teach them how to break down problems and find creative solutions.
- Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Teach empathy, self-regulation, and emotional awareness through activities like journaling, open family discussions, and mindfulness exercises. These skills are crucial for workplace relationships and leadership.
3. Personalized Education Planning
- Map Out a Career Pathway: After identifying their strengths, work with experts to outline a potential career roadmap. This includes understanding which fields align with their interests and aptitudes and identifying required skills or qualifications.
- Adapt Education Choices to Future Trends: Research future industry trends and align your child’s education choices accordingly. For example, if they show interest in computers, consider data science, AI, or cybersecurity rather than traditional IT paths.
4. Incorporate Practical Skill Development
- Emphasize Practical Application: Look for programs or schools that emphasize hands-on projects, internships, or apprenticeships. Practical skills and real-world experience will set them apart from purely academic candidates.
- Enroll in Online Courses or Workshops: Encourage your child to learn skills outside the school curriculum through online platforms. Skills like coding, digital marketing, graphic design, and project management are highly marketable and available for learning at all levels.
5. Promote Lifelong Learning and Adaptability
- Teach the Value of Continuous Learning: Instill in your child the importance of constantly upgrading their knowledge and skills. Encourage them to stay curious and to view learning as a lifelong journey.
- Encourage Adaptability and Resilience: Help them embrace change, take on challenges, and learn from failures. The ability to pivot and adapt is essential in an unpredictable job market.
6. Help Build a Portfolio of Projects
- Encourage Personal Projects: Help your child develop a portfolio of work that showcases their skills, such as creating a website, building an app, or undertaking a science project. A portfolio demonstrates initiative and provides tangible evidence of their abilities.
- Encourage Participation in Competitions and Hackathons: These experiences not only add to a resume but also build confidence and teach them how to work under pressure and collaborate with others.
7. Teach Financial Literacy and Business Basics
- Understanding Finances: Teach children about budgeting, saving, and investing. Financial literacy helps them manage their finances effectively, regardless of their career path.
- Encourage an Entrepreneurial Mindset: Inspire them to think like problem-solvers and innovators. Whether they work for a company or start their own business, an entrepreneurial mindset helps them spot opportunities and think creatively about solutions.
8. Nurture Digital Literacy and Technological Skills
- Basic Digital Skills: Ensure they are familiar with office productivity tools, data handling, and digital etiquette. Basic digital literacy is essential for almost every career.
- Advanced Tech Skills Based on Interest: If they’re interested in tech, encourage learning programming languages, AI concepts, or data analytics early on. Even in non-tech fields, an understanding of technology can be a competitive advantage.
9. Develop a Network and Industry Exposure
- Attend Career Fairs, Workshops, and Seminars: Take them to events where they can meet industry professionals, explore various fields, and understand what different jobs entail.
- Introduce Mentorship Opportunities: Connect them with mentors in their field of interest. Mentors can provide guidance, share industry insights, and inspire confidence in young learners.
10. Support Career-Related Extracurricular Activities
- Encourage Volunteering and Internships: Help them find volunteering opportunities or internships that relate to their areas of interest. Early work experience builds skills and teaches them about the workplace.
- Encourage Leadership Roles in Extracurriculars: Leadership skills are highly valued in any career. Encourage them to take on leadership roles in school clubs, sports teams, or community organizations.
11. Promote Self-Reflection and Goal Setting
- Teach Self-Reflection: Encourage your child to reflect on their achievements, challenges, and goals. Regular reflection builds self-awareness and clarity about strengths and areas for improvement.
- Help Set Short- and Long-Term Goals: Guide them in setting realistic academic and career goals. Teach them to break down larger goals into actionable steps and to celebrate small achievements along the way.
12. Regularly Reassess and Adjust the Plan
- Check In on Progress and Interests: Periodically reassess your child’s interests and strengths as they grow. Career planning should be flexible and adjust to new insights or changing interests.
- Stay Informed About Job Market Changes: Keep yourself updated on industry trends and skills in demand. An adaptable plan is essential in a world where new fields emerge regularly.
This action plan for personalized education and skill-building will empower your child to be prepared for a competitive and dynamic job market. Instead of following traditional educational paths, a tailored approach provides a strong foundation to excel in a career that matches their unique talents and the demands of the future.
In short…..
The image of professors forced to work as delivery personnel is a dire warning. It shows the devastating consequences of an education system that has failed to keep pace with the demands of the modern world. For parents, this is a reminder of the importance of planning their child’s education thoughtfully and strategically. Only by embracing a personalized, scientifically grounded approach can we hope to guide the next generation towards fulfilling and secure careers. The time for change is now—before more educators and students alike are left on the sidelines of an evolving world.
– Makarand Bhatt
The writer of this blog is an experienced International Education & Career Advisor, helping parents to plan and manage the global education of their children. You can share your feedback/reviews or connect with him at makarand.bhatt@yahoo.com or +91 99676 38666.
Credit: The Times of India, Ernakulum / Kochi Dt.: 31st October 2024
