Gender of the Respondents-Current Class 12 students who are awaiting their HSSLC result
• 88.5% of respondents prefer Arts stream
• 73.7% plan to pursue higher education within Nagaland
Kohima, April 17 (MExN): LaunchPad, a comprehensive Career Guidance and Employability Skills Development Program, has been launched to cater to 12th grade students across all 44 Government Higher Secondary Schools in Nagaland.
Spearheaded by the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with YouthNet, and supported by the Department of School Education, LaunchPad aims to develop soft skills, motivate for higher education, explore unconventional career paths, and address youth unemployment, stated an update received here.
For the academic session 2023-24, the program commenced on October 16, 2023, at GHSS Pungro, Kiphire.
During the program, LaunchPad conducted a comprehensive survey involving 3,796 enrolled students in Class 12. Impressively, 3,653 students actively engaged in the survey, reflecting a commendable participation rate. Among the respondents, 60% were female, and 40% were male.
The key findings from the survey indicated that 88.5% of respondents preferred Arts, 8.3% chose Science, and the remaining opted for Commerce. 70.7% expressed their intention to pursue higher education in college or university after completing high school. Notably, 47% of respondents decided to enter college between the ages of 16-20. Family members emerged as the primary influencers for nearly 70% of students, followed by career advisors and teachers. The desire for better job prospects (53%) and interest in specific subjects (33.5%) were cited as the main reasons for selecting college subjects. Factors such as reputation, admission process, location, facilities, and employment/placement record were deemed important or very important by a majority of respondents.
A significant majority (73.7%) of students plan to pursue higher education within Nagaland, with 15.7% considering the broader North East region and beyond for better exposure facilities and opportunities. When asked about reasons for choosing to work or pursue professional training, 56.4% cited the need to support their family financially, while 33.1% aimed to gain work experience and leverage their professional skills. Additionally, 10.4% mentioned financial constraints hindering their pursuit of higher education.
LaunchPad aims to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to thrive in today's competitive landscape. LaunchPad achieved remarkable participation and success in guiding students towards career development. The program's structured approach, comprehensive testing, and emphasis on practical skills contribute to its effectiveness. The findings provide valuable insights for ongoing improvements and the continued impact on the youth of Nagaland.
