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Emphasising the need to connect school education with higher education, skill development and employment, T K Anil Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, said that students should have a smooth and seamless transition from education to the world of work. He also stressed the need to reduce the gap between academic and vocational education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), in collaboration with the Sahodaya School Complexes of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), is organising the fourth national summit on the theme ‘Facilitating the Transition from Schooling to Work’ in New Delhi on October 26–27, 2026. Senior officials from the Ministry of Education and CBSE, including Dr. Mandeep Bhandari, Chairman of CBSE, were also present at the event.
NEP 2020 Focuses on Vocational Education
Addressing the summit, Kumar said that NEP 2020 seeks to integrate vocational training into mainstream education and eliminate the artificial distinction between academic and vocational learning. The objective is to provide students with opportunities to acquire practical skills alongside their regular studies, helping them make informed decisions about employment and career pathways.
He said that one of the most important abilities schools can develop in students is the capacity for lifelong learning. With changing technology and evolving employment requirements, academic knowledge alone is not sufficient. Students also need to develop skills that they can apply in real-world work environments.
Four Key Priorities for Skill Development and Career Guidance
The summit highlighted four key priorities for connecting school education with employment. These include technology, digital safety and skills; design, creativity and innovation; recognition of skills acquired across different education systems through the National Credit Framework and career guidance supported by equitable pathways.
These priorities aim to help students explore opportunities based on their interests, abilities and career aspirations. The summit also emphasised recognising skills acquired through different education and training systems under the National Credit Framework, helping improve coordination between diverse learning pathways.
Making the Transition from School to Work Easier
According to the Ministry of Education, the two-day summit aims to integrate skill education into mainstream schooling and facilitate students’ transition from school to the world of work. Discussions also focused on reducing barriers between different streams of education and developing the capabilities students need to navigate an evolving employment landscape.
During the summit, teachers from CBSE-affiliated schools are presenting case-based research papers and posters highlighting successful initiatives and best practices in skill education. The event also provides a platform for educators to share emerging trends, innovative approaches and practical strategies to improve teaching and learning processes in schools.
Through this initiative, the focus is on expanding the role of school education beyond academic achievement to include skill development, career awareness and employment readiness, helping students prepare for the changing demands of the future workforce.
