MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a): The proportion of working age population in the country is higher as
compared to many developed countries. The literacy percentage in the
country has gone up from 64.83% in 2001 to 74.04% in 2011, as established
by Census data. In India, education has mainly two streams, general education
and vocational education. Vocational education intends to provide employable
skills to students. While one of the aims of education is to prepare students
for future employment, it is not the exclusive aim of the education system.
(b) & (c): No, Sir. There is no authentic report conclusively establishing
that efforts made by the Government to promote employment oriented education
have failed.
(d) & (e): Keeping in mind that the education system should cater to the
needs of the manpower requirement for the economic development of the country,
Government has accorded high importance to vocational education and training.
The National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986 (as modified in 1992) envisages
introduction of systematic, well-planned and rigorously implemented programmes
of vocational education. The National Curriculum Framework, 2005 has recommended
work-centred education as an integral part of the school curriculum. Government
has also introduced a scheme of Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS). JSS are expected
to act as district level support agencies especially in regard to organization
of vocational training and skill development programmes for the neo-!iterates
and other large groups of the continuing education programme. The Jan Shikshan
Sansthans offer a large number of vocational training programmes. Government
has already started Technical Quality Improvement Programme to improve quality
education and enhance existing capability of the technical institutions to
become dynamic, demand-driven, quality conscious, efficient at national and
international levels. The proposed reforms include faculty development,
examination reform, curriculum revision, semester system, seminar tutorials,
autonomy with the accountability. Nation¬wide scheme of `Sub-Mission on
Polytechnics` has also been launched, wherein assistance is being given
to the State Governments for starting new Polytechnics, revamping the
Community Polytechnic Scheme and for the upgradation of existing Polytechnics.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) also has a scheme of Career Orientation
to Education/Career Oriented Programme/ Career Oriented Course, with an
objective to ensure that graduates who pass out after completing tliese
courses, have knowledge, skills and aptitude for gainful employment.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) -Vocationalisation of Secondary Education
Scheme envisages selection of vocational courses on the basis of assessment
of manpower needs. Since inception of the scheme, 9,619 schools with about
21,000 sections have been created with an intake capacity of about 10.03
lakh students. About 150 vocational courses are being offered. The revised
scheme provides financial assistance for imparting vocational education in
classes XI-XII in mainstream schools with a strong partnership with industry
and employers. The components include strengthening of existing vocational
schools and establishment of new vocational schools through State Governments,
assistance to vocational schools under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode,
capacity building of vocational education teachers and development of
competency based modules for each individual vocational courses. Assistance
is also provided to Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to run short duration
innovative vocational education programmes. A vocational education cell has
been established within the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
