As we mark National Youth Day, observed on January 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the conversation around education is evolving and so is the responsibility we carry towards
India’s youth. The day serves as a reminder of Vivekananda’s enduring belief in the power of young minds to shape the moral, intellectual, and social future of the nation. His vision of education went far beyond textbooks and examinations; it centred on character-building, self-belief, and the ability to think independently, principles that remain deeply relevant in today’s rapidly changing world.
National Youth Day invites reflection on what it truly means to prepare young people for the future. In an era defined by technological acceleration, shifting job markets, and complex social challenges, education can no longer be measured solely by enrolment numbers or years spent in classrooms. The real question is whether children are developing the foundational skills, confidence, and resilience required to navigate uncertainty and make informed choices. For a country as young as India, where a significant portion of the population is under the age of 25, the quality of learning outcomes today will directly shape economic growth, social equity, and civic responsibility tomorrow.
This moment calls for a deeper, more outcome-driven approach to education—one that recognises learning as a continuous journey rather than a milestone. It underscores the need to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy early, identify learning gaps before they widen, and create environments where children feel supported to learn with understanding rather than rote. As we honour the spirit of National Youth Day, the focus must shift from access alone to meaningful learning ensuring that India’s youth are not only present in classrooms, but truly prepared to shape their own futures and, in doing so, the future of the nation.
For over two decades, P&G Shiksha has remained committed to education that lifts rather than limits supporting children through a comprehensive approach focused on prevention, remediation, and learning continuity. By strengthening foundational skills early, creating environments that enable learning, and providing timely support to address learning gaps, the programme helps ensure that children stay on track academically. This integrated approach allows learning to remain consistent, accessible, and impactful across every stage of a child’s educational journey.
“The real challenge in education today isn’t whether children are enrolled in school, but whether they are truly learning and understanding in school,” says Enakshee Deva, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Communications, P&G India. “The data highlights why this work is urgent, ASER 2024 shows that more than half of Grade 5 children are unable to read at a Grade 2 level, yet only 28% of adults have a complete understanding of learning gaps. Through P&G Shiksha, our initiatives have reached over 50 lakh children. What we see consistently is that when learning gaps go unnoticed, they quietly shape a child’s confidence, self-belief, and future choices. This is why our focus remains firmly on improving learning outcomes through early identification, timely remediation, and safe, supportive environments that help children learn with understanding. Erasing the learning gap isn’t just about scale—it’s about changing individual journeys and ensuring every child, especially those from underserved communities, has a fair chance to succeed.”
Highlighting the impact of collaboration, Dr. Rukmini Banerji, CEO, Pratham Education Foundation, adds, “Creating a future-ready youth begins with strong foundations in the early years. Through our partnership with P&G Shiksha, we are able to work at scale to improve learning outcomes and support children in building the literacy and numeracy skills that shape lifelong learning.”
Equally important is the growing recognition that learning outcomes extend beyond test scores. Effective education efforts focus on creating supportive environments, nurturing aspiration, and building resilience. When children feel confident and encouraged, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom families become more engaged, teachers feel empowered, and communities begin to view education as a shared responsibility.
As India continues its shift towards outcome-driven education, meaningful progress is being shaped by governments, educators, communities, and partners coming together around a shared goal. When success is defined by what children are truly able to learn, achieve, and become, education moves beyond obligation to become a force for lasting change. And when young learners are empowered through meaningful learning, they don’t just prepare for the future, they help shape it.
