In an exclusive interview with ET Edge Insights, Masai School CEO Prateek Shukla underscores the pivotal role of education in empowering students for successful careers, with a specific focus on outcome-based education. He advocates for a shift towards outcome-based education, drawing parallels with ancient traditions like guru-dakshina, where success is intricately tied to students’ achievements. He critiques the prevailing education system, noting a departure from its original purpose towards a business-oriented model that produces graduates with impressive scores but limited job prospects.
In the context of Masai School, Prateek elucidates their distinctive approach to outcome-based education. Notably, the institution refrains from charging upfront fees, instead linking payment to students securing jobs with a predefined minimum salary. This innovative model aligns the success of the institution with the tangible success of its students, reflecting a commitment to delivering real-world outcomes. He highlights the need for educators to work harder, redefine teaching as a lucrative profession, and adapt to students’ diverse learning curves. The adaptive learning model at Masai, inspired by European practices, accommodates diverse learning curves, allowing students to progress based on mastery rather than adhering to fixed grade levels.
In acknowledging the inherent challenges associated with the widescale implementation of outcome-based education, Prateek underscores the critical necessity for a profound paradigm shift in how teaching is perceived. This recognition signals the requirement for a fundamental revaluation of the prevailing attitudes towards the teaching profession. He anticipates that success in this educational approach could revolutionise the landscape, particularly in India, by harnessing untapped potential from Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and villages.
Prateek highlights Masai School’s tangible impact, noting the uplifting of 400 families from poverty. He envisions a future where the creation of 50,000 graduates annually not only transforms individual lives but also significantly improves family fortunes, leading to a generational shift. This vision emphasizes the lasting impact of education on communities and underscores the importance of focusing on tangible outcomes rather than superficial benchmarks.
He envisions an educational landscape centred on tangible outcomes, where success is measured by students’ real-world achievements and the transformative impact on families and communities. Masai School’s unique approach serves as a model for redefining the purpose of education and its role in empowering individuals for successful and fulfilling careers.