National Education Policy Review Emphasises Skill Integration

A mid-term review of the National Education Policy (NEP) has underscored the need to strengthen the integration of employable skills within higher education and school curricula. While progress has been noted in structural reforms and curricular flexibility, the review highlighted gaps in translating educational outcomes into job-ready competencies.

One of the key focus areas identified is vocational education. The review stressed the importance of mainstreaming vocational training from the school level and reducing the traditional divide between academic and vocational streams. Expanding access to hands-on training, apprenticeships, and skill-based courses is seen as essential for improving workforce readiness and addressing the mismatch between education and labour market demands.

Digital literacy emerged as another critical priority. As technology reshapes the nature of work, the review emphasised the need to equip students with digital skills, including data literacy, basic coding, and familiarity with emerging technologies. Integrating digital competencies across disciplines is viewed as crucial for enhancing adaptability and lifelong learning in a rapidly evolving economy.

The review also highlighted the role of industry–academia collaboration in improving employability. Stronger partnerships with industry can help ensure that curricula remain relevant and responsive to market needs. Initiatives such as internships, joint research projects, and co-designed courses were recommended to provide students with practical exposure and real-world problem-solving skills.

Overall, the review reaffirmed the NEP’s vision of holistic and multidisciplinary education but stressed that sustained implementation, institutional capacity-building, and stakeholder coordination are vital to realise its goal of creating a skilled, future-ready workforce.