Tackling systemic challenges for youth capital

(MainsGS2:Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.)

 Context:

• From lost educational opportunities due to the pandemic-induced lockdowns to the looming climate crisis, dangerous virtual spaces, and concerns over food and energy security triggered by geopolitical conflicts, Young people today are facing unprecedented challenges.

Tackling the challenges:

• The young people worldwide are rising to these challenges, coalescing around issues, and creating innovative solutions that consider diverse cultures, geographies, and development statuses.
• The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Quality Education, recognises the pivotal role that education plays in achieving comprehensive development in the longer horizon. 
• It aims to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’, especially for the youth to thrive in the modern world.

Bridging the disparities:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education systems globally, leading to lost school years and increasing educational inequality.
• As restrictions became widespread, schools had to close, impacting the achievement of SDG 4 targets. 
• However, certain countries could reopen schools earlier due to better health infrastructure and advanced educational facilities.
• Bridging disparities in educational losses between developed and developing countries has become crucial in the post-pandemic recovery processes, as it determines the long-term macroeconomic structure of the global economies, with youth capital playing a pivotal role.

The Role of technology:

• Technology is a powerful tool for improving human capital building and addressing structural issues in education needed for achieving equitable quality education. 
• It has the potential to democratise knowledge access, making education more accessible and inclusive, particularly in resource-constrained countries. 
• The growing use of educational technology (ed-tech) platforms has played a critical role in helping young people to complete their studies during the pandemic through remote learning, interactive material, and individualised learning experiences.

Need balancing approach:

• Education systems can create a deeper awareness of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and cultural diversity by including indigenous perspectives, traditional ecological knowledge, and cultural heritage in the curriculum. 
• However, traditional cultures often resist modern educational techniques and should be progressively transformed to embrace more innovative approaches. 
• This necessitates interacting with communities, respecting their beliefs, and co-creating educational programmes that bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern abilities. 
• Balancing cultural preservation with the learning of contemporary skills is critical for equipping young people to flourish in a fast-changing society.

Conclusion:

• Comprehensive education reforms are necessary to empower youth to overcome these challenges and seize opportunities to advance the SDG 4 targets.