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The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Should students work while studying? Exploring India's earn-and-learn model
The debate over whether students should be encouraged to work while studying has gained momentum with the ongoing education reform agenda that emphasizes 'learning by doing.' Governments worldwide, including India, are promoting apprenticeship programs and flexible part-time courses to allow students to earn while they learn. This approach aims to equip students with practical skills from an early age, fostering a culture of responsibility and self-sufficiency. In countries like the United States, student employment is deeply embedded in the educational framework. Recent reports highlight school toppers engaging in on-campus jobs to offset living expenses, showcasing a growing trend among Indian institutions as well. However, this dual commitment of working and studying raises concerns about reinforcing existing caste and class structures. Critics argue that without adequate opportunities, students may inadvertently follow parental or ancestral occupations, perpetuating societal inequalities. To explore this multifaceted issue further, The Hindu hosted a webinar titled 'Should students be encouraged to work and earn while they study?' on May 17, 2025. The panellists included Kaibalyapati Mishra, Ph.D. student at ISEC; Prof. Shraddha Kumbhojkar, Head of History Department at Savitribai Phule Pune University; and Dr. Parag Kalkar, Pro Vice-Chancellor at SPPU. Also Read: Need for National Student Work Policy: Safeguarding students working off and on campus Prof. Kalkar, who gave the opening remarks, emphasized the importance of students realising the value of money. 'Our parents are very caring and, despite a child who is going for postgraduation, even a Ph.D., the parents take care of their money, their pocket money, and many other things', he said. He also highlighted how work can shape student behavior and attitude. 'Students and the young generation are not interested in working in a physical mode. They want to work on a computer in an air-conditioned cabin. But when the student works for one or two hours, they realise the value of money. They socialise. The human aspect of the students will be developed naturally. If they earn and then invest in higher education, I think their sensitivity, sensibility, and sincerity will be more than what it is today', he said. Impact on mental health While the benefits of earning through work, such as enhanced confidence and life skills, are evident, it's crucial to consider potential drawbacks like stress on mental health or adverse effects on academic performance. Policy-makers need to ensure that student employment does not compromise educational quality or well-being. The conversation surrounding student work opportunities also highlights systemic issues within India's higher education landscape. Many students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; thus, their motivation for working often stems from financial necessity rather than choice. Ensuring safe working environments and dignified labour conditions is imperative if we are to prevent exploitation under the guise of skill development. Mr. Mishra emphasized that student employment in India is often driven by compulsion rather than choice. 'We are assuming the fact that they will like it, but in most cases, it's a compulsion that pushes the students to divert their scope from learning to engage themselves in work. Mr. Mishra highlighted the economic pressures many students face, adding, 'They are earning for their family. That is the problem in this situation. We need laws for students working in India before we try to formalise this as part of the curriculum.'Additionally, suggestions have emerged regarding skill mapping initiatives that align student capabilities with available job opportunities while providing necessary counseling support for informed decision-making about work during studies. Caste Implications Prof. Kumbhojkar highlighted the caste implications of student labour. She spoke about a colleague of hers who comes from a family of shepherds. He had narrated to Prof. Kumbhojkar that while he was a high school student, during vacations, he had to take his sheep for grazing. If he were seen by some of his upper-caste classmates, he would feel ashamed. She stressed that giving dignity to all forms of labor is a societal responsibility. 'The element of caste and the gravity of this shame, the whole hierarchical power structure, is very real. One doesn't want the caste system to be reinforced through this earn-and-learn kind of thing. This idea needs to be imbibed by each member of a society, not just the universities and all these protected and safe spaces', she said. She also proposed policy interventions to support student employment meaningfully. 'The kind of work that students are made to do may not be aligned with their degrees, but they may be involved in jobs that have transferable skills like content writing. Perhaps something like the CSR policy could be worked out by policymakers. The University Grants Commission has the Earn While You Learn scheme, paying around ₹4,000 (max.) to students working within campus and a few rules too. But there is a need for a comprehensive policy. As discussions unfold around these topics, stakeholders must collaborate towards creating policies that safeguard both educational integrity and economic empowerment for students across all strata of society.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Should students work while studying? Explore the impact and implications of earn-and-learn education
A key aspect of the education reform agenda today is learning by doing. There's much emphasis on skilling right from the school level. There's a big push towards apprenticeships as part of higher education degrees. Apprenticeship and internship programmes have been launched by the government at the national level. Meanwhile, there's a simultaneous push for part-time, flexible courses so students have the time to work while they are doing a degree through on-demand, online courses. All these efforts have made working and earning a key part of education itself. In other countries, such as the U.S., these are ingrained in the system. Recent media reports have lauded school exam toppers working on school premises to pay for their hostel charges. While earning through work while studying may teach the value of work, teach responsibility, and boost self-esteem and confidence among students, it also may end up reinforcing age-old caste and class occupations. Without adequate choice, students may end up sticking to the occupation of their parents and ancestors, reinforcing the caste system. To delve into this topic, join The Hindu webinar titled, 'Should students be encouraged to work and earn while they study?', on May 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The panellists include: Kaibalyapati Mishra, Ph.D. student, Institute for Social and Economic Change; Prof. Shraddha Kumbhojkar, Head of Department, History, Savitribai Phule Pune University; Parag Kalkar, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University. The webinar will be moderated by M. Kalyanaraman, Head, Education vertical, The Hindu. Register now for free to ask questions and interact with the panellists. Those who ask the three best questions will get a free online subscription to The Hindu. Panellists Kaibalyapati Mishra, Ph.D. student, Institute for Social and Economic Change Kaibalyapati Mishra is a Ph.D. student in Economics at the Centre for Economic Studies and Policy (CESP), Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru. His research interests currently lie in the economics of higher education, asymmetric information, and inequality in educational attainment. Shraddha Kumbhojkar, Head of Department, History, Savitribai Phule Pune University Shraddha Kumbhojkar is a Professor of History and heads the Department of History in Savitribai Phule Pune University. She obtained a Master's degree in History and another Master's in Sanskrit. Then she went on to defend her doctoral thesis entitled Nationalistic Interpretations of Ancient Indian Texts: Maharashtra during 1885-1929. In her career as a university teacher spanning over 25 years, she has developed a research interest in Ancient and Modern Indian History, European Intellectual History, Historiography, Memory Studies and Dalit Studies. Her research articles and reviews have been published in Economic and Political Weekly, Samaj Prabodhan Patrika and Loksatta. Dr. Parag Chandrakant Kalkar, Pro Vice-Chancellor, SPPU Dr. Parag Chandrakant Kalkar is an academician and administrator currently serving as the Pro Vice-Chancellor at Savitribai Phule Pune University. His experience encompasses over 28 years in teaching, complemented by his former roles as Director of Sinhgad Business School Pune and Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management at Savitribai Phule Pune University. His contributions to academic governance are evident through his past membership in the Academic Council, Senate, and Management Council of Savitribai Phule Pune University. Dr. Kalkar is a researcher, having published 54 research papers in national and international journals. He has also authored or co-authored 19 books and has six applied-published patents to his credit, showcasing his commitment to knowledge creation and innovation. (For any suggestions and feedback, reach out to us at education@
