“Head, Hand and Heart”: Relevance of craft-centered education for 21st century skills – Webinar report

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti 2021, Team NSN organized a webinar “Head, Hand and Heart”: Relevance of craft-centered education for 21st-century skills” with an aim to convey and re-emphasize the significance and potential of handicrafts, toys, and crafts in enabling livelihoods, empowering youth, and contributing to the economy.

The eminent panelists for the webinar were Mr. Sharda Gautam, Zonal Head, North Tata Trusts; Dr. Swapna Mishra, Director, Textile Sector Skill Council (TSC); Dr. Vinay S Mehrotra, Professor, and Head, CDEC, PSSCIVE, and Ms. Jonali S Khasnabish, Founder, Heeya Social Enterprise.

The session was moderated by Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder, National Skills Network.

Relevance of craft-centered education for 21st-century skills

Speakers in the panel broadly focused on the livelihoods of the artisans, unique initiatives to make skilling aspirational to students from the school level, the importance of cognitive skills in children, and gender equality in the handicraft sector.

After a brief discussion on the above-mentioned themes, each speaker shared action points that are important for the livelihood of the handicraft and handloom artisans.

You can watch the complete webinar on our YouTube channel, for which the link is given below. For ease of navigation, timestamps for each of the speakers are included beside their names.

Mr. Sharda Gautam, Zonal Head, North Tata Trusts (43:05 – 46:20)

Crafts-based livelihoods should not get limited towards survival but also look at the livelihood side. The environment of the craft sector has changed from the past 100 years when the artisans continued the heirs. Now, the requirements and language of the buyers have changed since the industry and global market evolved. So, it is important to provide the right education and exposure to the artisans in rural areas to work in the new environment.

Supply chain, interaction with buyers, and the science of doing a craft are certain areas to be taught in education through which we can bridge the gap and take artisans from the level of survival-hood to livelihood.

Three important action points: 

1. Education system: The education system should start different aspects of learning and give recognition to the informal sector
2. Primary level education: Practical level of craft education needs to be induced to every child so that the artisans in villages also get connected and learn
3. Exposure to skills: Skills like carpentry, pottery should be exposed to children from an early stage and give a chance to explore options

Dr. Swapna Mishra, Director, Textile Sector Skill Council (TSC) (47:40 – 50:20)

TSC has two sectors in the council –

1. Textile mill sector through which TSC provides wage employment
2. Handloom sector through which TSC provides wage and self-employment

In the handloom sector, TSC has taken a different approach by starting unique initiatives such as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL); RPL and bridge course; Textile designing course; CAD software; Handloom entrepreneurship; B.Voc course with multiple entry and exit system and Certification course from class 10. These initiatives will make skilling aspirational and appealing to the coming generations.

Three important action points:

1. Relevant courses: Drop-outs are being offered with courses that have subjects related to handloom
2. Updated curriculum: People should be motivated in learning soft skills to blend into the weaving sector and get certification
3. B.Voc courses: To teach weaving to the new generation and focus on online back to back education in craft learning for children

These will enhance the crafts making them aspirational to the coming generations.

Dr. Vinay S Mehrotra, Professor, and Head, CDEC, PSSCIVE (51:25 – 54:40)

One needs to focus on cognitive and corporate skills. In the three aspects, we need to focus on the head to observe the world through logical thinking; on the heart for emotional intelligence, and the hand for physical effort. We have started an internship programme and introduced craft education, art, and science. By 2025, 50% of learners shall have exposure to B.Voc courses.

Three important action points:

1. B. Voc: Introspecting the issues in B.Voc education in imparting craft-based education
2. Teaching: Craftsperson should be given opportunities to teach in schools
3. Strategy: Recognition of Prior Learning should be given importance and provide students with occupation-based training

Ms. Jonali S Khasnabish, Founder, Heeya Social Enterprise (55:23 – 59:20)

Heeya Social Enterprise aims at bringing Indian women into the world of handicraft. In the head and hand, the heart drives innovation, workmanship, emotional reach to the customers. We have created our work in a 3P model –

Product – Focus on connecting with every person and move beyond the local market

People – Focus on extreme care for customer segment on quality, price, etc.

Pride – To build pride and address the challenges in weaving

One needs to focus on gender equality where women need to be given training in skill development, market access and we also provide financial access.

Three important action points:

1. Entrepreneurship: We need to take pride in India’s potential for micro-entrepreneurship
2. Lifeline for artisans: To open opportunities for artisans through which they will earn for a lifetime
3. Primary level: Introduce student internship and element of entrepreneurship from school level

Also read: Mahatma Gandhi on the importance of vocational education and skill development – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/mahatma-gandhi-on-craft-centric-education/

We hope our discussions through the webinar have given you an insight into the relevance of craft-centered education for 21st-century skills. If you wish to share any points from your side on the topic, you may please write to us at contact@nationalskillsnetwork.com.