BrightCHAMPS, a skills learning platform, on World Youth Skills Day 2024, released a first of its kind ‘Pulse of Parents’ report capturing the insights and concerns around education from 511 parent participants across 27 countries. Among the key findings, 65% parents, globally, think skill-building for practical knowledge needs to supplement academic learning for their kids to be successful in life. In South East Asia, India, and Europe 3 out of 4 parents strongly believe this.
Asked if the traditional route of school >> college/university >> degree >> employment was longer enough to secure their children’s future, 41% parents answered in negative. This number is as high as 56% in the US. About half 50% of Indian parents in the sample feel school education is no longer enough to prepare their kids for the future. Also, 46% parents, globally, worry about their children’s financial security & the value of expensive degrees in the changing employment landscape.
The report has been generated on the basis of surveys and telephonic interviews from participant parents. The findings of the report have been grouped into regions – Asia (which includes Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia); the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman); Europe (UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands); India; and the US.
Commenting on the revelations made in the report, Ravi Bhushan, Founder & CEO of BrightCHAMPS, said it’s heartbreaking to see how intensely worried parents are. “I do see a silver lining. The swiftness with which parents have changed and continue to adapt to the massive changes in our world and the way we do education, thanks to AI, gives me immense hope. Once upon a time, securing admissions to renowned institutions & procuring expensive degrees was par for the course & the most important consideration for parents while making learning decisions for their kids. But the #PulseOfParents report is proof that parents around the world are increasingly questioning this tried and tested progression path, both on an individual and systemic level,” he added. “An overwhelming number of parents have conclusively said that they no longer believe academic excellence is no longer enough to prepare their kids for the future and have called for practical skills training, I have no doubt that next-gen life skills will soon be included in formal school curricula around the world and become the new normal in childhood education,” Bushan said further.
