Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): From the new academic session, vocational education will be introduced in 700 more government higher secondary schools in the state.
This step has been taken under the National Education Policy (NEP) to make vocational education mandatory in schools.
The School Education Department has sent a proposal to the central government to introduce job-oriented courses in these schools. The new courses will focus on modern skills.
Currently, vocational education is offered in 2,383 schools. With the addition of new schools, the total number will cross 3,000. Courses will be introduced in fields like agriculture, dairy development, and construction. Trades such as masonry assistant, construction painter, fashion designing (assistant designer and fashion designer), housekeeping, and office administration & management will be available.
The Directorate of Public Instruction has asked district education officers to spread awareness about vocational education in schools.
For students in classes 9 and 10, existing vocational courses include data entry operator, junior field technician, assistant beauty therapist, retail store operation assistant, private security guard, food and beverage service assistant, microfinance executive, assistant plumber, sewing machine operator, four-wheeler service assistant, electronic service assistant, and physical education.
For classes 11 and 12, courses include junior software developer, solar panel technician, drone service technician, CCTV and footage operator, floriculture, and self-employed tailor.
At present, over four lakh students in 2,383 schools are receiving vocational education in the state. More than 4,700 teachers have been trained to teach these courses.
