Herbert Spencer, a renowned psychologist, once said, "The great aim of education is not knowledge but action." The shift from a one-size-fits-all approach is evident in today's educational landscape, with innovative pedagogies like competency-based learning (CBL) leading the way. This approach aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, highlighting the importance of competency-based education in modernising India's education system. So, what is competency-based education, and why is it so important? Let's explore further.
What is competency-based learning?
Competency-based learning (CBL) aims to teach students to acquire knowledge and skills at their own pace. Unlike traditional education systems that advance students in unison based on time spent in class, CBL allows students to progress only after demonstrating mastery of a subject. This individualised approach enhances the effectiveness and relevance of learning by focusing on the mastery of specific competencies or skills. The goal is:
- Student-led learning: Students take charge of their own learning journey.
- Flexible progression: Learners progress at their own speed, ensuring mastery before moving on.
- Future success: Equips students with essential skills for future success in various life and career contexts.
3 reasons why competency-based learning is important
Here’s why CBL is important:
- Limitations of traditional education system
The traditional education system does not adequately pay attention to the potential of students. The issue with traditional education system is:
- Standardised curriculum: A uniform curriculum that doesn’t cater to diverse learning styles and abilities, leaving some students disengaged and others unchallenged.
- Emphasis on rote learning: Focus on memorization for exams rather than understanding and applying concepts, limiting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Exam-oriented evaluation: High-stakes exams prioritise grades over actual learning, causing immense pressure and often resulting in superficial knowledge.
- Limited practical exposure: Lack of hands-on learning opportunities, with a gap between theoretical study and real-world applications, hindering job market readiness.
- Teacher-centred instruction: Predominantly lecture-based classrooms limit student engagement, interaction and collaborative learning.
- Adapting to job market demand and skill gaps
According to the India Skills Report 2024, only 51.8% of new graduates meet industry employability standards. This significant gap highlights the disparity between traditional education and the skills required by today’s job market.
- Alignment with industry needs: CBL teaches relevant skills that meet current employer demands.
- Flexibility and adaptability: CBL adapts quickly to new technologies and industries, keeping skills up-to-date.
- Focus on practical skills: CBL emphasises real-world applications, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and job market requirements.
- Push from industry and policymakers
The call for industry-ready skills comes from both industries and policymakers. The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 meets this need by adopting a competency-based education framework. Here’s what NEP 2020 focuses on:
- Aligning education with industry needs: NEP 2020 responds to industry demands by integrating industry-relevant skills into the curriculum, ensuring graduates are workforce-ready.
- Integration of competency-based education: The policy is based on CBL, focusing on practical, skills-based education to enhance employability and meet industry expectations.
- Promoting flexibility and personalization: NEP 2020 encourages adaptable learning paths and personalised education, aligning with diverse student needs.
5 core principles of competency-based learning
1. Mastery of specific competencies
Students advance based on their ability to demonstrate mastery of specific skills or knowledge rather than time spent in class.
2. Personalised learning paths
Education is tailored to each student's needs, pace and learning style, allowing for a customised and effective learning experience.
3. Focus on real-world applications
CBL emphasises practical, real-world skills and applications, ensuring students gain relevant and transferable competencies.
4. Continuous assessment and feedback
With competency-based learning and assessment, students are assessed continuously through various methods. They receive ongoing feedback to support their progress and mastery of competencies.
5. Student-centred approach
The learning experience is centred around the student, encouraging active participation, self-directed learning and personal responsibility for their educational outcomes.
3 implementation strategies for institutions
1. Transition from traditional education
a. Curriculum redesign: Institutions should redesign curricula to focus on specific competencies and learning outcomes rather than time-based progression with competency-based lesson plans. NEP 2020 makes this possible.
b. Assessment overhaul: There’s a need to shift to continuous, varied assessments that evaluate mastery of skills. Institutions can implement formative assessments and feedback mechanisms to support student progress. With TCS iON’s digital learning and assessments, institutions can revamp their assessment process.
2. Role of educators and institutions
a. Educator responsibilities: Teachers must adapt their instructional methods to support CBL, including creating personalised learning plans, providing ongoing feedback, and facilitating competency-based assessments.
b. Institutional support: Institutions must create a supportive environment for CBL by promoting competency-based teacher education, aligning policies with CBL principles, and investing in essential resources and training. TCS iON offers training aligned with NEP 2020 guidelines to assist institutions and educators in effectively implementing CBL.
3. Necessary infrastructure and technology
a. Learning management systems (LMS): Institutions require to implement LMS that support personalised learning paths, track student progress and facilitate continuous assessment and feedback. With TCS iON, institutions can access a well-defined LMS to help students and adapt to NEP 2020.
b. Digital tools and resources: Institutions should provide access to digital tools and resources that enhance learning, such as interactive content, virtual labs, and online collaboration platforms. TCS iON offers various digital tools and extensive resources to help instructors educate better. TCS iON has:
- 1.75 million+ job applicants
- 432.35 million students assessed
- 180,000+ courses available
- 12,000+ communities on the platform
Impact on students
1. Benefits for diverse learning styles
CBL caters to various learning preferences by allowing students to progress at their own pace and through personalised learning paths. This approach supports different learning styles, whether visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or combination, ensuring that each student can engage with the material in a way that suits them best.
2. Increased engagement and motivation
By focusing on mastering specific competencies and applying skills to real-world scenarios, CBL builds a deeper connection to industry reality. This relevance and clarity of purpose increase student engagement and motivation as learners see the direct impact of their efforts on their personal and professional growth.
Future of competency-based learning
The Competency-Based Education (CBE) market is expected to expand at a robust annual growth rate of 10.7% from 2024 to 2031, fuelled by the rising demand for personalised and flexible learning solutions. AI and competency-based learning (CBL) are powerful combinations that enhance education by personalising learning experiences through adaptive platforms and providing detailed performance insights via data analytics. This partnership leads to long-term benefits such as improved employability, as CBL ensures students acquire relevant skills directly applicable to the job market.