Revised Scheme of “Vocationalisation of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education” 

(The Cabinet Committee on Skill Development has approved for continuation and revision of the scheme “Vocationalisation of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education” to enhance the skill and employability of the youth through industry and demand driven vocational courses.)

The Cabinet Committee on Skill Development has approved for continuation and revision of the scheme “Vocationalisation of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education”, based on the learning from the pilot program launched in Haryana on National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF) across 40 schools in September 2012. The objectives of the scheme are to enhance the employability of youth through competency based modular vocational courses; to maintain their competitiveness through provisions of multi-entry multi-exit learning opportunities and vertical mobility; to fill the gap between the educated and the employable; and to decrease pressure on academic higher education. Further, skills and employability of the youth will be enhanced through industry and demand driven vocational courses.

This will be a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) under which financial assistance will be given to all State Governments /Union Territory administrations for implementation of vocational education in Government Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools and incentive will be given to Government aided and recognized private schools during the remaining period of the 12^th Plan. The scheme would involve introduction of vocational educational in schools as well as capacity building of vocational education teachers or skill trainers, development of competency based curriculum and teaching material, development of MIS for monitoring and tracking students and funding of innovative practices under vocational education.

Till date 1119 schools across 21 States and Union Territories have been covered from the year 2011-12 onwards when the revised scheme was approved with more than 1 lakh students being covered in 2013-14.

The total allocation approved by the Planning Commission for the scheme in the 12th Five Year Plan is Rs. 500 crore p.a. Around two lakh students every year are expected to benefit from the scheme during the remaining period of the 12th Five Year Plan.

Warm regards,

Dr. S P Sharma

Chief Economist