Just a few days ago, girl students made headlines yet again after outperforming boys in the Class XII final exams of the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE). The state board also recorded a commendable pass percentage of 90.64% for the 2024-25 academic year, which marked a 5% increase from the previous year’s results. In this year’s examinations, girls achieved a 92.42% pass percentage, while boys secured 88.69%.
While these results are undoubtedly encouraging for students, parents, and the Goa Board, it is crucial that the celebrations do not end with the headlines. Rather than focusing on gender-based performance comparisons, the real emphasis should be on whether students—both girls and boys—have a clear sense of their career goals and the educational pathways required to achieve them. High exam scores are commendable, but they are only a stepping stone to a much larger goal: securing fulfilling and meaningful careers.
As is the case every year, the announcement of board exam results triggers a flurry of activity. Students and parents scramble to apply for college admissions, while many students prepare for entrance tests required for specialised degree courses. However, amid this rush, an important question arises: Are our students making informed choices about their education and future careers? Do they truly understand how the courses they choose will shape their professional lives? Or are they simply following the crowd, opting for certain courses because their peers are doing the same?
This is where aptitude tests and career counselling must play a larger role in guiding students towards making the right decisions. Currently, career choices for many students are influenced by societal expectations, parental pressure, or misconceptions about job prospects rather than their own interests and abilities. Introducing aptitude tests at a crucial stage in a student’s academic journey could help bridge this gap.
Ideally, aptitude tests should be conducted at the Class X level, before students choose their academic streams for higher secondary school. Additionally, a second test could be offered in Class XII, just before they transition from school to college. These tests, based on a wide range of subjects—including mathematics, language, logic, and spatial reasoning—provide a clear and objective assessment of a student’s natural abilities. More importantly, they help identify individual strengths and weaknesses, offering students a clearer understanding of careers best suited to their skills and interests.
By aligning their education with their strengths, students will not only excel academically but also develop critical skills in problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and decision-making. This structured approach would significantly reduce instances of students feeling lost or forced into careers they have no passion for. It would also ensure that they receive adequate training in areas where they need improvement, giving them a stronger foundation for their professional lives.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has already introduced significant reforms in the Indian education system, aimed at revamping outdated structures and equipping students with skills relevant to the modern world. However, no amount of policy changes will be truly effective unless students receive proper guidance in selecting courses that align with their future career aspirations. Without such guidance, many students risk becoming "square pegs in round holes"—pursuing professions they have no interest in or, in worse cases, struggling to find employment altogether.
It is disheartening to see talented young individuals spending years preparing for government job exams, queuing for hours in the scorching heat, and pinning all their hopes on securing positions that may not even align with their skills or aspirations. If students are not provided with structured guidance, then celebrating exam results will be nothing more than an empty exercise.
The government and education authorities must take concrete steps to ensure that students receive the necessary guidance before making crucial career decisions. Aptitude tests should be made mandatory for Class X students across all schools, with a follow-up test at the Class XII level. Additionally, schools should invest in career counselling programmes, where trained professionals can help students interpret their test results, explore career options, and make informed decisions about their future.
This initiative could be further strengthened through collaborations between educational institutions and industry experts, providing students with real-world insights into various professions. Schools and colleges could organise career fairs, mentorship programmes, and interactive sessions with professionals from different fields, allowing students to gain a practical understanding of potential career paths.
A well-structured aptitude assessment and career guidance system would have long-term benefits for both students and society. When young individuals are empowered to pursue careers that match their abilities and interests, they are more likely to excel, innovate, and contribute positively to their respective fields.
If implemented effectively, these measures would help transform the education system into one that not only celebrates academic achievements but also ensures that students are equipped with the right tools to build meaningful and rewarding careers.