A survey finds that students are eager to return to the way things were prior to the present gobal pandemic
In a survey conducted by the IC3 Institute, 83 per cent of Indian and Nepalese high school students surveyed reported that they remain optimistic about the future despite the current challenges being faced by the postsecondary education system as well as industries due to COVID-19.
The survey focused on 2,252 high school students from India and Nepal, with 80 per cent of the population surveyed comprising of Indian students. The survey asked key questions about the impact of COVID-19 on students' current and future plans; the decisions students are making about their higher education options; how prepared they feel for the future world of work; and whether schools are enabling students to develop key 21st-century skills.
Despite current geo-political conflicts as well as perceptions of a less-welcoming stance towards international students, the US still remains a top choice for students as a destination for higher education, with two-thirds of all students selecting it as a top destination (75 per cent), followed by the U.K. (67 per cent), Canada (64 per cent), Australia (41 pe rcent), and Singapore (32 per cent).
As students prepare for the world of work, the survey finds that while parents continue to play a role in decision-making, media is also a key influencer. In addition, students are more motivated by their passion for and interest in a career and their sense of fulfillment rather than by salary alone.
Dr. Rajika Bhandari, president-CEO of the IC3 Institute, said: “At a time when India has just released its first new National Education Policy in 34 years that emphasises the school-to-work transition and the importance of aligning academics with career and vocational training, the findings offer a window into whether the large number of Indian and Nepalese youth are prepared for their educational and professional futures, especially when both college and careers have been disrupted by COVID-19.”