In a novel attempt, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has initiated a process for interaction of students with industry so that their chances of employability are increased.
The board recently has issued a circular in this respect to the Principals of the all the schools affiliated under it. In the circular the Principals are asked to seek cooperation of the industry/employers for giving exposure of industry to the students so that practical skills-training training is imparted to them which would help them in their future placements.
In the circular the Director, Vocational education of CBSE, V V Prasada Rao writes “The scheme has been initiated to reduce the dropout rate at the secondary level and also to decrease the pressure on academics in higher education.” The scheme entails that the vocational education courses to be designed, developed, delivered, assessed and certified in consultation with the industry and the employers.
The Principal of the Kendriya Vidhyalaya (KV) ONGC, Dhanraj Singh Negi said that the scheme would go a long way in imparting skills in the students. He said that KV ONGC organises tours of the students in the local industrial units.
Negi was of the view that the scheme is a good step in the direction of vocationalisation of the studies and imparting real time knowledge. “The aim of the scheme which is being implemented across the country is to enhance the employability of youth through demand driven, competency based, modular vocational courses which would fill the gap gap between education and employment,” he said.
In the circular CBSE has propounded that regular interaction between the students of class XI and XII and the local industrial units and entrepreneurs should be arranged on a fortnightly basis. During these visits the various aspects of the industry and skills required for managing an industrial unit would be explained to the students.
The scheme is also enthusing the students. “It is interesting to know that the board has started this venture under which we would be visiting the industry and meeting successful entrepreneurs. The students would be benefitted by their expertise which would help them in choosing a career,” said a class XII student.