By Anita Shah, CP Coordinator and Meenakshi Ganeriwala, Sr. Manager International Program Development and Outreach at Mahatma Gandhi International School (MGIS), Ahmedabad, India.
A student recently applying to our school told us she was passionate about biology. This is nothing unusual, especially in India, where many students feel pressure to choose careers like medicine or engineering to please their parents.
But something didn’t feel quite right.
After a longer conversation, she finally shared the truth: her real passion was gaming. Not biology. Gaming.
To many from older generations, that might sound like a dead end. But it’s not. At Mahatma Gandhi International School (MGIS), we’ve seen many students thrive by following unconventional paths into fashion, film, and other creative industries.
A new way forward for Indian students
The India Skills Report 2024 indicates that only half of Indian youth possess the skills for today’s jobs. Combined with high unemployment and an unpredictable economy, this highlights the need for schools to go beyond textbooks and rote learning. The challenge goes beyond economic uncertainty or outdated materials.
Education must prepare students for an uncertain and complex world that demands adaptability, critical and ethical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and collaboration at local and global levels.
Programs like the IB Career-related Programme (CP) address this need by combining academic study with real-world application, helping students link learning to life beyond school.
Let passion lead the way
Education in India is changing. The old idea of success, scoring high marks and becoming a doctor or engineer, is no longer the only path. And it shouldn’t be.
We need to give students space to explore what they love, whether that’s designing clothes, working in film, or building video games. When students are allowed to lead their own learning, they feel more engaged, more confident, and more motivated to succeed.
At MGIS, we’ve seen this first-hand. One student is now working with Netflix. Another is making waves in India’s fashion industry. These aren’t “exceptions”—they’re proof that passion-powered education works.
Inclusion matters
It’s not only about what students aspire to do but about supporting every student in finding their own path and having the opportunity to reach it. That’s why inclusion is a core value at MGIS. We support students of all backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles.
The CP provides a flexible educational experience that enables students to customise their learning and follow their aspirations in an ambitious yet achievable way. Instead, it builds their skills through practical learning, things like BTEC coursework, community projects, and personal development activities, so they’re ready for whatever comes next.
Success looks different now
We don’t define success solely by grades. A student might not have the top grades, but still have the creativity, drive, and resilience to succeed.
As the job market shifts and traditional roles disappear, schools must prepare students for an unpredictable future beyond the job market. That means helping them build transversal skills, find their purpose, and have the courage to follow it, even if that means failing a few times along the way.
Because failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s part of the learning journey.
Takeaways
- Let students follow their passions—even if they don’t fit traditional expectations.
- Career-related education, like the CP, gives students practical, future-ready skills.
- Inclusion is essential—customised learning helps every student thrive.
- Redefine success—grades are only part of the picture.
- Prepare students for life, not just exams—especially in an uncertain job market.
- Technical skills are no longer optional—they’re essential across every field, from art and fashion to science and gaming
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