The educational pattern at the school level needs to be redesigned to facilitate skill development. Integration of vocational education is needed at this level. It should be subsidised and scholarships/stipends should be awarded to deserving students. Substantial expansion and improvement in quality of vocational education and training is required at all levels for raising employability and productivity. Proper teaching materials must be developed keeping in view the requirements of different trades. The course curricula should be revised periodically through flexible approaches based on the learning outcome. More and more popular and market-oriented courses need to be introduced. Vocational education should be more computer-based and computerized programmes should be part of the general curriculum. The pattern of training should meet the new and changing business requirements.
There is a need for creation of extensive skill development opportunities and infrastructure. The vocational education system should be made more flexible and inclusive for sustainable growth. The government should introduce suitable reforms and strengthen vocational education and training. It should make a clear policy to facilitate capacity expansion through private sector's participation. It should also make investments in vocational training institutes and subsidise education for deserving students. The government should actively work on promotion of industry and academia interaction to narrow the existing gap between demand and supply of skilled workers. Moreover, awareness among the general public about these programmes should be created extensively. There is a lack of awareness about the type of courses, trades, institutions and opportunities available in case of TVET. The awareness campaign should be such that it provides all possible information in various fields through various means.
Adequate publicity is needed to improve the image of vocational education and training institutes and centers. Universities should also develop skill development centers with autonomy. Vocational education is not easily accessible to deserving students, particularly in rural areas. It is, therefore, essential to plan vocational education at the post-secondary level through distance learning mode to help the unemployed youth, rural people, drop-outs and unskilled industrial workers to improve their knowledge, skills and job potential.
If suitable and updated policies and schemes were implemented in letter and spirit in the field of vocational and technical education, it can sail the country through current rough waters towards bright future with high employment and sustainable economic growth.
Question 1: How does the passage suggest redesigning the educational pattern at the school level?
Answer: By integrating vocational education, subsidizing it, and awarding scholarships/stipends to deserving students.
Question 2: What improvements are suggested for vocational education and training in terms of quality and expansion?
Answer: There is a need for substantial expansion and improvement in the quality of vocational education and training at all levels to raise employability and productivity.
Question 3: How should teaching materials and curricula be adapted to enhance vocational education?
Answer: Proper teaching materials should be developed for different trades, and course curricula should be periodically revised based on flexible approaches and learning outcomes.
Question 4: What are some proposed changes to the delivery of vocational education?
Answer: Introduction of more popular and market-oriented courses, incorporation of computer-based learning, and adaptation of training patterns to meet new and changing business requirements.
Question 5: How does the government plan to facilitate capacity expansion in vocational education?
Answer: The government intends to introduce suitable reforms, strengthen vocational education and training, encourage private sector participation, invest in vocational training institutes, and subsidize education for deserving students.
Question 6: What is suggested to improve accessibility to vocational education in rural areas and for unemployed youth?
Answer: Planning vocational education at the post-secondary level through distance learning mode to help rural people, dropouts, and unskilled industrial workers improve their knowledge, skills, and job potential.
