Hardeep Singh Puri’s Vision for Quality and Inclusive Education in India

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently shared his vision for improving the quality of education in India, stressing the need for equal access, practical learning, and collaboration between institutions and industry. According to him, education must go beyond textbooks and exams — it should be rooted in skills, ethics, and the ability to adapt to

I chose to write on this topic because conversations around education reforms in India often remain stuck at the policy level. But what stood out in Hardeep Singh Puri’s speech was his grounded approach — he talked about on-the-ground challenges like outdated curricula, lack of infrastructure, and the disconnect between what students learn and what the job market needs. This makes it important for both students and educators to understand where the focus is heading and what role they can play in this transition. It’s not about overhauling the system overnight, but about identifying key areas that need immediate attention to ensure every student, regardless of background, gets quality education.

Education Must Equip Students for Real Life

According to Puri, a key issue with India’s current education model is that it doesn’t always prepare students for real-world challenges. He called for a curriculum that includes practical knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and digital skills.

He also mentioned how students from underprivileged backgrounds often lack access to even basic educational tools. Bridging this gap through better infrastructure, digital access, and teacher training must be a national priority.

Key Highlights from His Vision

Here are some of the main points Hardeep Singh Puri stressed:

Accessible Education for All: Whether it’s urban slums or remote villages, quality education must reach every child
Industry-Academia Partnership: Colleges should align their courses with current job market requirements through regular updates and hands-on training
Technology Integration: Smart classrooms, hybrid learning models, and affordable digital devices should be promoted
Vocational and Life Skills: Students should be taught financial literacy, emotional intelligence, and career-based skills from school onwards
Ethics and Nation-Building: He emphasised that education should also build character and responsibility towards society and the country

A Push for Skilling and Employability

One of the most critical parts of his speech was the push for skill-based learning. Puri noted that just increasing the number of degree holders won’t solve unemployment. The focus must shift towards equipping youth with the right skills to meet current and future job demands.

He praised initiatives like the Skill India Mission but said that more private-public partnerships are needed to ensure skilling programmes don’t become just a formality but genuinely improve employability.

The Role of Teachers and Institutions

Puri also highlighted that none of these changes can happen without empowering teachers. According to him, “teachers are not just educators, they are nation-builders.” He called for regular teacher training programmes, performance-based incentives, and the use of technology to support teachers in remote areas.

He encouraged institutions to create open environments where both students and teachers can express, innovate, and collaborate freely.

What This Means for Students

If you’re a student reading this, here’s the takeaway:
You’ll need more than just textbook knowledge in the coming years. Whether you’re in Class 10 or pursuing post-graduation, building real-world skills like problem-solving, time management, and digital fluency will matter just as much as your grades.

Institutions will slowly start shifting their teaching methods and course designs — but you can stay ahead by taking initiative on your own too. Explore internships, online courses, and community projects that help you apply what you learn.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.