Ashima Sharma, Keekli Reporter, 23rd May, 2014, Shimla
Principal Nisha Bhaluni, Government Senior Secondary School Portmore (Girls), Shimla, informed that an Orientation Programme of Principals of 100 Vocational Schools under NVEQF was held in the school premises on 22nd May, regarding implementation of Vocational Education under NVEQF (National Vocational Educational Qualification Framework). Technical Office Dr Girijanand Chauhan, welcomed all the Principals on behalf of the Director of Higher Education who had come to attend the meeting. He emphasized that Principals should make sincere effort to strengthen vocational education in the state.
Dr Girijanand gave a brief introduction about the NVEQF programme being implemented by the Department of Higher Education in selected 100 Government Sen. Sec. Schools of the state. Through this method a unified national approach for linking academic and workplace standards could be adopted, which will then enable both lateral and upward mobility between mainstream and vocational education. Hence, students with a certificate or diploma will eventually be able to join a university and pursue a degree. Such advancement will be made possible through a credit based system, he added. The NVEQF framework is designed to be implemented in Class IX onwards.
The State Project Director, RMSA the Chairperson of the programme emphasized on proper implementation of the scheme so that its benefits could reach the students. From Wadhwani Foundation, Rekha Menon and Sreejit Nair gave a brief introduction of NVEQF and plans of the central government to encourage the integration of vocational education and academic education in the country. Participant included Principal Deepak Raj Kumar from Sr Sec School, Dehra, Kangra; Principal Devender Kashyap from Chotta Shimla, Shimla; Principal Haminder Kanwar from Govt Sr Sec School, Kangal; from Govt Sr Sec School Boys, Sarkaghat, Mandi, Principal Rakesh Tapwal among other attended the seminar.
Principals present in the auditorium assured the Department that they would implement this scheme efficiently and encourage skill development activities in their schools. However, they raised concerns regarding monetary constrains due to which the implementation of the programme may be hampered. The Principals also demanded to continue the fast track provision in near future for the interest of the students of rural areas in the state.