Social media often celebrates fast success stories. It rarely shows the full picture. The risks, the failures, and the many who tried the same path and struggled quietly. Names like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are often used to argue that formal education is not necessary. What is rarely mentioned is that they were highly exceptional individuals who were not operating in ordinary situations.
They had access, exposure, timing, and opportunities that most people simply do not. Their stories are exceptions, not a roadmap.
Even among degree holders, employability remains a challenge. Critics often point to data to question the value of degrees. According to the India Skills Report 2025, only 54.81 percent of graduates in India are considered employable. Nearly half are not job-ready. At first glance, this may seem to suggest that a degree does not guarantee much. But that is precisely the point.
If outcomes are uncertain even after completing a degree, the situation without one is far more limited. These numbers do not prove that degrees have lost value. They show that degrees without skills are incomplete.
In a system where most formal jobs still require a graduate qualification as a basic filter, removing the degree does not solve the problem. It reduces access even further. So in reality, it is not degree versus skill, but degree with skill. A degree opens the door, while skill determines how far you go.
In India, access still depends heavily on qualifications. Data from the Government of India’s Periodic Labour Force Survey shows that individuals with higher education are more likely to be part of the formal workforce. Government jobs, banking, teaching, and many private sector roles continue to require a bachelor’s degree as basic eligibility. Without it, a candidate is often filtered out before skill is even evaluated.
This becomes even more critical in Nagaland. Opportunities are fewer, and competition is high. When positions open, a degree often serves as the first level of entry. It is not about prestige, but about access. Without it, your options do not just reduce, they narrow sharply. In practical terms, you may be left with only a fraction of available opportunities.
Cost is often raised as a concern, but that alone does not reflect the reality of access today. Many students in India study in government institutions where fees are relatively low. Even in many standard private colleges and universities across India, fees are often more affordable than commonly assumed.
With government-regulated institutions, scholarships, and financial aid, higher education has become more accessible than before for a large section of students. For many, the real issue is not cost, but planning and awareness.
Even the education system in India is gradually evolving. Education is no longer limited to the traditional model of classroom teaching alone. Except for a handful of institutions, the broader educational landscape is shifting towards more practical and skill-integrated learning. The National Education Policy 2020 has introduced a stronger focus on skill-based education, internships, and flexible learning pathways. Today, students have the opportunity to build real skills alongside their degree, learning, working, and gaining experience at the same time.
Globally, the balance between formal education and skill development is widely recognised. Reports from organizations like the World Economic Forum continue to show that while skills drive performance, formal education still remains a foundational requirement for long-term career growth and adaptability.
For most young people, especially in regions like Nagaland, success is not built on rare exceptions, but on practical choices grounded in reality. A degree may not guarantee success, but it significantly increases access to opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach.
Imna Sempo
Faculty (Ed), Nexskill Academy
Sunday, May 17, 2026