Minister of State for Human Resource Development Upendra Kushwaha on Friday said the Central government is implementing a number of schemes to promote vocational education at the secondary and higher secondary levels.

“The Central government is implementing the scheme of vocationalisation of secondary and higher secondary education as a component of Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan from Class IX onwards,” the minister said.

While replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Kushwaha said this scheme integrates vocational education with general academic education.

With the objective to prepare educated, employable and competitive human resources for various sectors of the economy, the government is providing financial assistance to the states/UTs based on the viability of proposals received and availability of funds.

“Till date, 8227 government schools in 33 States/UTs have been approved for introduction of the scheme including 200 schools of Uttar Pradesh,” the minister informed.

The minister said that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) offers 40 vocational courses at senior secondary level and 15 courses at secondary level in its affiliated schools.

“The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) also runs 103 vocational courses up to higher secondary level,” he added.

The minister informed the Rajya Sabha that the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has recently introduced Degree/Diploma programs leading to Degree or Diploma in Vocational Education under National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) in 13 specialisations for the AICTE-approved institutions.

“Under this scheme, education component is taught by the institute and the skill component is covered by Industry Partner or Skill Knowledge Provider (SKP) approved by the AICTE or the NSDC or any government agency,’ he said.

The minister further informed that the University Grants Commission (UGC) is implementing three schemes such as Community Colleges, B.Voc Degree Programme and Deen Dayal Upadhay KAUSHAL Kendras in universities and colleges for imparting skill development-based vocational courses offering Certificate/Diploma/Advance Diploma/B.Voc/M.Voc and Research level programme.

“The skill components of courses are imparted in collaboration with the industry partners based on National Occupational Standards for the concerned job roles,” the minister said.