Sustainability through Imparting Education and Skills - An Experience of Jan Shikshan Sansthan

Sustainable development through adult education and skilling is very important and has a long history. Various reports have mentioned the need to include vocational education/skills for empowerment of youth in the educational system. Jan Shikshan Sansthan, a vocational education programme started as Shramik Vidya Peeth in later 1960 s. Afterwards the scheme was changed to Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), meaning Institute of People’s Education. Jan Shikshan Sansthans are working at district levels under the sponsorship of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, government of India as a registered society. Each Jan Shikshan Sansthan administers with a Board of Management with a representation of central, state and district administration and representation of experts from different sectors. Each JSS has freedom for innovation and enriching their activities for the benefit of needy communities. Jan Shikshan Sansthan Malappuram proved its success line through decentralization and community ownership of the targeted society. This was done with the help of collaboration, convergence and innovations. Sustainable development can be ensured in the local community only through the participatory approach of development. Lack of skilling opportunities is a gap in India’s rural sector and there is a need to bridge this gap through planned skill development projects. Various schemes are implemented in this sector but none of them have attained the final goal. Lakhs of ordinary rural youth are facing unemployment and under employment in India. The youth can become productive assets through appropriate skilling programmes. The SDG goals defined by the UN which mainly focus on ‘no poverty’ and ‘zero hunger’ can be achieved through the livelihood programmes, like Jan Shikshan Sansthans.