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Enriching Indian education programmes with industry demands
THANKS FOR the detailed feature is undeniable.
on the inaugural India-USA Global The plain truth is that most skill-
Education Leadership Summit 2025 ing curriculums are bookish and out-
(EW July) held in Hillsdale College, dated. Therefore the certification of
Michigan that brought together training institutes is worthless in the
school and higher ed leaders from job market. What’s urgently needed
both nations. is a total overhaul of vocational
The themes discussed including training curriculums to include
educational leadership, civic respon- hands-on and apprenticeship-based
sibility, liberal arts, and the role of learning to prepare youth for jobs in
values in curriculum, are important industry and commerce.
issues in today’s globalised yet pola- Rama Mathur
rised world. Such initiatives not only DELHI
deepen cross-cultural understanding
but also open avenues for our school
JULY 2025 leaders to engage in meaningful Hope & prayer
pedagogical exchange and curricu- YOUR ‘DIMMING star’ Education
lum innovations. Looking forward News report from West Bengal (EW
Exemplary visionaries to more such international engage- July) has highlighted the unending
YOUR EXCELLENT cover story ‘21 ments enriching India’s evolving saga of scandals and gender crimes
higher education leaders racing to education landscape. confronting the state, the most re-
develop India’s high-potential hu- Soumya D via EMAIL cent being the horrific gangrape of a
man resource’ (EW July) has surely law student in Kolkata.
brought considerable cheer to many Most people have lost hope that
parents like me who are disillusioned Urgent! Revive UN the Mamata Banerjee administra-
with the quality of India’s higher RE. YOUR editorial ‘Regime change tion will make things better. In less
education system. necessity in global village’ (EW July). than a year, the state is headed for
I was comforted by reading the With the Israel-Palestine conflict elections. Let us hope and pray that
interviews of the 21 exemplary intensifying and a dire humanitarian people vote for positive change.
education visionaries who outlined crisis unfolding in Gaza, I fully agree Dipankar Dutta
their game-changing prescriptions this is a pivotal opportunity to revive KOLKATA
for transforming India into a $30 the United Nations (UN).
trillion economy by 2047. As your editorial compellingly
Keep up the good work! argues, global interconnectedness Urgent appeal
Divakar Shenoy on EMAIL makes it clear that regional conflicts AS A regular reader of Education-
have global ramifications. The pa- World, I want to draw your attention
ralysis of the UN and its affiliate or- to growing, compulsive smartphone
Surprising omissions ganisations is severely undermining addiction in children that is nega-
I AM surprised that eminent higher effective multilateral action in the tively impacting their physical, men-
education leaders of excellent univer- Gaza, Ukraine, and other wars. It’s tal and social well-being. Children
sities such as Ashoka, Krea, Nalanda time to reform, revive and empower are experiencing sleep deprivation,
and Plaksha have not been featured the UN to act decisively during wars anxiety, depression and other socio-
in your cover story titled ‘21 higher and humanitarian crises. emotional behavioural issues. It has
ed leaders racing to develop India’s Keerthana S also adversely affected their academ-
high-potential human resource’ (EW KOCHI ic performance. Moreover, excessive
July). What’s the explanation? screen time has reduced children’s
H. Parthasarathy love for outdoor activity.
BENGALURU Worthless certificates This is an urgent appeal to educa-
HARSHIL SHARMA’S Teacher- tors and parents countrywide to limit
They were contacted for interview 2-Teacher essay ‘Action plan for children’s screen time and ensure
but failed to respond. Perhaps bridging India’s yawning skills gap’ they have a wholesome life beyond
because they are not racing to de- (EW July) was thought-provoking digital screens.
velop India’s high-potential human and insightful. The need for a Jubel D’Cruz
resource — Editor focused action plan to align skilling MUMBAI

16 EDUCATIONWORLD AUGUST 2025