Skill- Based Education in an Industrial city of Pakistan

In this study, the need for Skill- based education at secondary school level in Pakistan was analyzed with a focus on local need of the areas. The research examined the integration of skill-related subjects in secondary school curricula and investigated the skill set required in the industrial sector. To understand the current situation, government policies were reviewed and major challenges in implementing skill- based education were highlighted. It was a qualitative research with an exploratory research design. Tehsil Gujranwala was the selected study area. Elite interviews with representatives of business, Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), and Gujranwala school heads were conducted to gather data. Three documents were analyzed i.e., textbooks of technical courses taught at secondary school level, National Education Policy 2017, and the Punjab Growth Strategy 2018. The results painted a bleak picture of the state of skill- based education in the country. All the stakeholders involved lacked ambition, communication, and teamwork. The objectives of government initiatives have not been met because of poor management of resources and misuse of finances. The respondents suggested that the media and NGOs might help to emphasize the value of skill- based education pertaining to the local needs. It was crucial to modify the curriculum to incorporate skill- based education into general education for the benefit of individuals, society, and ultimately socioeconomic development at national level.