Shalabh Sharma, Principal, Cambridge School, Greater Noida

With the economy, technology, and society evolving rapidly, education is  no longer limited to academic success, but is also defined by one’s ability to navigate life with confidence, adaptability, and purpose. Hence, classroom pedagogy is eventually becoming more broad-based to include the teaching-learning of practical skills. What are the essential real-world skills every school-going student must master?

⁠Emotional intelligence

The role of emotional intelligence is often overlooked – whether it is about doing well in academics or co-curriculars, or managing relationships. Students must be taught to recognise the different kinds of emotions one might feel, their possible impact on one’s actions, and how to manage them effectively. Teachers and parents must talk to students about and also demonstrate empathy, active listening, conflict resolution.

Not only is an emotionally intelligent person able to handle personal and professional situations better, they are also more resilient in times of adversity.

⁠Communication

The ability to communicate well not just helps one cut through confusion, but also reach the desired goals swiftly. This holds true for both professional and personal matters – whether it’s presenting a group project, writing a professional email, negotiating with a peer, or resolving a conflict with a friend. As they learn to become effective communicators, students must understand that communication involves not just being able to put your own point across, but also being patient and active listeners.

Effective communication begins with clarity of thought  – what is it that one wants to say and how well does one comprehend what is said by the other.

⁠Financial literacy

With India seeing a surge in youth-led startups, online investing, and digital banking, understanding money early on is crucial. Students must learn to create and manage a basic budget, understand the concept of savings, implications of loans and interest rates. With digital wallets and UPI payments having become the norm, students must also be aware how they should keep themselves safe during such transactions.

Equipping students with these skills will help them avoid debt traps, build savings early, and make informed financial decisions – life lessons that compound over time.

Professional skills

Some exposure to the industry during high school expands students’ awareness of what lies ahead of them. Whether through job shadowing, internships, or career talks, early exposure to the professional world helps students make informed choices.

Skills like writing a resume, interviewing, understanding workplace etiquette, and having an awareness of industry trends (from gig economy to AI-led jobs) are crucial. As many of the  traditional career paths are evolving or becoming redundant, students must be guided to align personal strengths with the prospective options.

Schools must introduce systematic career guidance programmes for students of Classes 9 and up, while parents must encourage their children to participate in them.

Critical thinking and problem- solving

Our competence as individuals is reflected in how well we are able to tackle the problems we face in our everyday lives. Carefully evaluating the possible outcomes of a situation, weighing their pros and cons to land at the right decision are integral to successfully solving a problem. This could apply to a variety of situations, from school projects to choosing a career path to other, more complex real-life challenges.

Critical thinking also becomes imperative as students are required to filter true information from the massive amounts of misinformation floating around. Students must learn to question the information they consume – what, why, when, how and so on.

Digital literacy

Schools should try to help students distinguish between addictive and productive screen time, so they are able to make optimum use of the available online resources.  Parents and teachers should try to ensure that students have some helpline numbers handy, in case they ever get stuck in a digital predicament. 

Time management, prioritisation

With students having to juggle academics, co-curriculars, coaching classes and their social lives, it becomes essential that they learn to manage their time effectively. Not only will this skill help them during their school years, but also later since a balanced and fulfilling life will require a fair bit of time management.

The ability to prioritise tasks, break down goals, and track progress using planners can improve performance in tasks while reducing stress. It is also important that students learn to say ‘no’, set realistic goals, and understand the value of downtime. Schools must introduce routines that allow students to experience balance, not just busyness. 

The real test of education lies not in school exams but in the challenges one faces in everyday life. A future-ready student is not someone who tops in math or science but someone who can deal well with people, manage personal finances, collaborate with others, and stay mentally strong under pressure. Schools, educators, and parents must collectively champion this broader vision.