Amit Kapoor, chairman of the Institute of Competitiveness who was one of the panellists, said that students in schools and colleges here choose to study at the end of the year with just examinations in mind – thus losing the whole purpose of learning. He said, 'Thus the fundamental flaw in the examination system in India is that it creates students with mugging minds instead of questioning minds. The semester system, therefore, is a better option because it's more regular assessment of what a student has learnt through the year.'
Most students, he added, limit their potential by studying only with the aim of securing a job. Educational institutes should instil a sense of confidence in students to study a subject of their choice and create a niche for themselves in a new field. 'Educational institutes make job-seekers, and not job creators. They should create entrepreneurs,' said Kapoor. Going a step ahead, Rajeev Katyal, director of education at Microsoft, said the most ideal way of linking education to employability is by encouraging vocational training. 'Vocational training is significant because it leads to more employability. Currently only seven percent Indians are getting vocational education,' said Katyal. Kelly Raj, counsellor, department of education, employment and workplace relations, Australia, added, 'Vocational education is the perfect link between education and employability.'
