For last many years there has been a debate about implementing skill-based approach to learning among school children. Though many are hoping for a definitive universal rule to make this decision for their classrooms, it is simply not that easy. In-fact at secondary school level skill based education has been started several years back in India but it still remains a challenging task to make the students really skilled. Govt and NGOs need to undertake a study to see how many students are really getting benefitted through the skilled based courses like National Skills Qualifications Framework-NSQF. This programme (NSQF) is a nationally integrated education and competency-based framework that enables persons to acquire desired competency levels. The NSQF organises qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills and aptitude. These levels, graded from one to ten, are defined in terms of learning outcomes which the learner must possess regardless of whether they were acquired through formal, non-formal or informal learning. It was launched in India in 2013 during UPA-II Govt but the Govt led by PM Modi enhanced budgetary allocation for this programme. In November 2015 J&K Govt introduced skill based programmes in Govt run schools for the students of class IX to XII. A formal order was issued by Directorate of School Education Kashmir on 13.11.2015 which reads:
“In order to enhance employability of students and equip them with skills commensurate to market requirements it has been decided to introduce vocational education from class IX th onwards under NSQF”
The courses that were started included IT , Tourism Automobile repair , healthcare , security. Later on from 2016 onwards many other courses were also introduced and several training partners approved by National Skill Development Corporation -NSDC started providing manpower (educators, trainers) to J&K Govt through the school education department to implement this scheme in Govt run schools. In J&K alone almost 600 schools have this facility available as on date and every year more and more Govt higher secondary schools are included in this list
Importance of Skill based education
Skill based education helps build a strong foundation for students at the school level. It helps build self-esteem, confidence, and leadership skills. It develops problem-solving skills and students understand the benefits of coordination and collaboration.
The skill education helps students become independent thinkers and encourages them to plan for their future at the right age. Most of the schools in India are primarily academic-centric, introducing skill development through the curriculum is now the need of the hour. I would in-fact suggest introducing skill based education at primary level, but the skill based education should be based on ethics and ethical consideration. We need the best entrepreneurs in the future but they must not compromise on values and ethics.
Skill based education helps students explore and learn things outside of their textbooks. It also gives them the freedom to think independently and make choices at an early age. Their skills are valued rather than their grades and scores. This vocational and skill based education has following benefits :
It strengthens the team spirit, creativity and assertiveness in students which intends to create a solid foundation for a great future. It builds confidence in them to participate in collaborative ventures.
It helps them take responsibility for their actions and students learn to make their own decisions and understand how their decisions can have repercussions and negative impact as well
Vocational training in Govt schools
The erstwhile Ministry of Human Resource Development -MHRD now known as Ministry of Education-MoE in September 2011 brought out a revised Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Vocationalisation of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education to integrate employability education into School Education . In 2018, this scheme got further revised and brought under the integrated initiative (Samagra Shiksha) by Ministry of Education -MoE and termed as Vocationalization of School Education (VSE).
The revised norms allow a student to complete training in one Job Role in 9 th and 10th standards which is followed by another Job Role in 11th and 12th standards. As explained above the scheme is operated within the NSQF (National Skill Qualification Framework), which establishes a system of clear educational pathways from school to higher education while providing certification of vocational skills. The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has been implementing VSE in nearly 600 schools till date, as per approval and funding from Govt of India. Now the question arises that has this vocational or skill based education helped the students who were enrolled for different vocational courses in various Higher Secondary Schools across J&K from 2015 onwards?
Does the Govt have data about the students who underwent training in different trades in 2015,2016 , 2017 and what is their status as on date ? If a vast majority of them are still jobless, then this is a matter of serious concern. The School Education Department J&K needs to come up with clear figures on this and a third party should be appointed to monitor the outcomes. It has been almost 8 years since skill based education is being given in Govt run schools and we need to have clear figures on the outcome of this programme ?
Vocational training instructors
As on date there are more than 1200 vocational trainers who impart skill based education in various Higher Secondary schools in J&K. These trainers are hired by service providers who are themselves hired by the J&K Govt. This means the vocational trainers are not directly appointed by the Govt and are contract based workers. On the other hand these trainers are highly qualified who work very hard to give quality skill based education to students. There has been no enhancement in their monthly salaries since their appointment 4 to 5 years back . The vocational trainers held several protests in J&K in the past few years. These trainers allege that they are not getting any annual pay increase along with CPF, Leave or Insurance cover.
Conclusion
Crores of taxpayers money is being spent on imparting vocational education to students in dozens of Govt schools in country and J&K especially. The Samagra Shiksha wing in the Ministry of Education is implementing this programme. Lots of questions are being raised against the functioning of J&K Mission Directorate Samagra as the skills based programme in schools isn’t taken up effectively especially the selection of Vocational Training partners is being questioned ? People want to know the outcome of the vocational training programme that is operational in hundreds of Govt schools of J&K for last more than 8 years ? Govt need to do a detailed study on this through some third party so that the lapses are identified, rectified and also the Govt officials involved in misuse of taxpayers money are also taken to task
Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat is an Acumen Fellow. He is Founder & Chairman Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement