The Urgent Need for Career Counselling in North-East India's Government Schools

In India, the transition from high school to higher education or the workforce is often fraught with uncertainty. While private schools increasingly integrate career counselling into their curriculum, government schools—especially in North-East India—lag behind in providing structured career guidance. This gap leaves students ill-equipped to make informed decisions about their future, often leading to mismatched career choices, unemployment, and underemployment.

Recent studies indicate that 90% of students opt for the wrong career path due to a lack of career guidance. Additionally, 93% of students are aware of only eight or fewer career options, despite there being over 800 different professions available. This limited exposure significantly affects students in North-East India, where economic challenges and geographical isolation further restrict access to career counselling.

Career counselling plays a crucial role in shaping a student's future by helping them understand their strengths, interests, and available opportunities. In North-East India, where financial constraints and limited exposure to diverse career paths persist, the absence of proper career counselling exacerbates the problem. Many students in government schools rely solely on parental advice or societal expectations when choosing a career, often leading them toward conventional paths such as government jobs or traditional professions, regardless of their aptitude or passion.

One of the biggest hurdles faced by students in government schools is the lack of awareness about emerging career opportunities. While urban students have access to career fairs, mentorship programs, and online resources, their counterparts in rural North-East India often remain unaware of fields beyond medicine, engineering, and civil services. The absence of career counselling means that students are rarely introduced to careers in technology, entrepreneurship, creative arts, or social sciences—fields that are growing rapidly and offering lucrative prospects.

Additionally, the rigid education system in government schools does little to encourage exploration. The curriculum is often outdated, focusing solely on academic performance rather than skill development or career readiness. Without career counselling, students struggle to identify their strengths and align them with suitable professions. Many end up pursuing degrees that do not match their interests, leading to dissatisfaction and a lack of motivation in their professional lives.

Another pressing issue is the socio-economic background of students in government schools. Many come from families where financial constraints dictate career choices. Without proper guidance, they often opt for careers based on immediate financial security rather than long-term growth and satisfaction. Career counselling could help bridge this gap by providing students with information on scholarships, vocational training, and alternative career paths that align with their skills and aspirations.

The North-East region also faces unique challenges due to its geographical isolation. Limited access to career counsellors and industry professionals means students rarely get exposure to real-world job scenarios. Unlike metropolitan cities where students can intern, network, and gain hands-on experience, students in government schools in North-East India often graduate without any practical knowledge of their chosen field. Career counselling could introduce mentorship programs, virtual internships, and industry collaborations to help students gain insights into various professions.

Government intervention is crucial in addressing this issue. Policies should mandate career counselling sessions in government schools, ensuring that students receive guidance from trained professionals. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has introduced reforms to integrate career counselling into schools, focusing on holistic learning and skill development. However, implementation remains slow, particularly in rural areas.

Key Highlights

• 90% of students choose the wrong career path due to a lack of guidance.

• 93% of students are aware of only eight or fewer career options, despite over 800 professions existing.

• NEP 2020 emphasizes career counselling, but implementation in government schools remains slow.

• Limited access to career counsellors in North-East India restricts students from exploring diverse career paths.

The importance of career counselling cannot be overstated. It empowers students to make choices based on their strengths and interests rather than societal pressure or financial constraints. For North-East India’s government school students, structured career guidance could be the key to unlocking their potential and ensuring a future where they are not just employed but thriving in careers that truly suit them. Investing in career counselling today will shape a generation that is confident, skilled, and ready to contribute meaningfully to the workforce.

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