Geneva, March 7 — On the sidelines of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Jan Hubel, a Luxembourgish master’s student in International Development at the University of Oxford, commended India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for its strong emphasis on vocational training and practical skill development.
In an interview, Hubel said the NEP stood out for giving students hands-on foundations that prepare them for employment and encourage entrepreneurship and self-reliance. While working with the Akshar Foundation in Guwahati, he observed vocational training integrated directly into classroom instruction. Students were taught practical competencies such as business management, accounting and public relations, which helped them grasp real-world economic opportunities and better prepare for professional life.
Hubel noted these initiatives can be especially transformative for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds by equipping them with tools to gain independence and manage everyday economic challenges. He also highlighted students’ ease with modern technology and digital tools while participating in collaborative projects at the foundation, including the production of a short film.
Comparing India’s shifting education model to systems in places like Hong Kong and Luxembourg, Hubel said the NEP’s focus on creativity and independent thinking aligns with international practice. What sets India apart, he argued, is the policy’s pronounced attention to practical, project-based learning that links classroom work to livelihood outcomes.
Hubel believes integrating employability and livelihood skills into school curricula can help address youth unemployment by narrowing the gap between academic learning and labor-market needs. He suggested India’s move to broaden access to skill-based education could serve as a model for other Global South countries pursuing education reform.
In 2023, Hubel completed the Oxford Internship Programme with the Akshar Foundation, working in government schools to implement the foundation’s Indian Education Model aligned with NEP 2020. He has also taught in Hong Kong and delivered lectures at Banasthali Vidyapith in Rajasthan.
