VOCATIONALISATION OF EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF GUJARAT.
1. Present Position In Gujarat the percentage of post-SSC students entering vocational stream is 20 per cent as against 50 per cent visualised by the Education Commission by 1985-86, About 20,000 students seek admission in vocational courses out of 1,00,000 students passing out of SSC. The projections for the likely output of SSC pass students in the years to come would be as under :-
Table1
1976 . . . . . . . . 65,530
1977 . . . . . . . . 92,650
1978 . . . . . . . . 1,61,914
1979 . . . . . . . . 1,72,246
1980 . . . . . . . . 1,81,150
1981 . . . . . . . . 1,88,916
1982 . . . ... . . . . 1,90,748
Providing for 20 per cent drop outs after the SSC level due to economic and other factors such as the fact of the boys coming from the rural background, some being girls, getting married, etc., at least by the end of the Fifth Plan, it is proposed to aim at the vocational opportunities arising to the level of 85,000 seats.
II. Existing Facilities-Post SSC Students
Field Existing Opportunities
1. Agriculture . . . . . 525
2. Lalitkala . . . . . . 578
3. Education . . . . . . 5413
4. Commerce . . . . . . 850
5. Industry . . . . . . 154
6. Technical . . . . . . 5287
7. Health . . . . . . 2600
5. Apprenticeship Scheme . . . 2772
9. Career Development Courses . . 285
10. Miscellaneous . . . . . 290 18,754
This figure (18,754) includes only those vocational opportunities where passing of SSC is a prerequisite for admission.
III. Some Weaknesses observed in the Present Vocational Training
Courses The Sub-Committee appointed by the Government of Gujarat in its Report submitted in November, 1977, has noted the following weaknesses in the present vocational training courses :
1. The vocational training at present being made available in the training institutions is not always relevant to the particular needs of the industry. Skilled technicians' training provide only for a general training and not for particular training. It is felt that the dialogue between the existing institutional organisations and the employing industry should be activised and there should be a simpler mechanism to implement the curriculum changes and modifications in the courses.
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2. The existing vocational stream is unable to provide training for new areas. The big spurt of growth in the diamond cutting industry or petro industry as in Ankleshwar and in Baroda, and maintenance and repairs to agricultural equipments including engines and pumping sets for irrigation, are a few cases to be cited. The attempts to start technical institutions for the purpose (Agro Polytechnic at Vallabh Vidyanagar) however, failed due to lack of follow up machinery to provide finances and technical guidance from time to time and also for lack of popularity clue to subsequent placement problems.
3. The vocational training facilities in the present circumstances are regarded as a sub-culture. Even within, the technical/vocational training, the existence of a three-tier Certificate Course, Diploma Course and Degree Course also tend to affix certain values to these courses which inhibit proper flow of talent to the vocational training.
IV. Expansion Facilities From the general survey of the training facilities made available now, it was clear that the existing facilities were not inadequate to meet the vacancies reported to the Employment Exchanges. However, it was also noticed that some courses like the electrician course and the Draftsman course were very popular may be because of the increased self-employment opportunities available.There were certain trades like Fitters, Turners, and Building Technologists where acute shortage was being felt.
To identify the specific needs, the Committee had felt that the Education Department should intensify its efforts for district surveys at an early date.
The existence of unemployed trained personnel in almost all the Vocations (as seen from the statistics of the Employment Exchanges) shows that the expansion of existing facilities for the certificate courses and diploma courses will have to be carefully designed. There is need for a close inter-relationship between the training facilities and the job opportunities available.
In the Annual Administration Report for the year 1975 of the Labour Department of the State, the shortage had been reported in the following spheres :
Civil Engineering, Stenographers, Steno-typist (English, Gujarati), trained nurses, Boiler Attendants, Printing Technicians, Die Makers, Weavers, Weaving Supervisors, Lecturers in Civil Engineering, Geologists, Architectural Assistants, Experienced Turner, Fitter, Embroiders, Switch Board Operators, Machinists and Electricians.
In the year 1976 also the same shortages continued. The scope for expansion in the ten Vocational Fields are identified by the State Sub-Committee referred to above, as under :-
1. Agriculture :-Almost unlimited opportunities exist for starting new courses in Agriculture. The Agricultural University of the State proposes to start Agricultural diploma courses, Diploma Courses in Home Science, Poultry farming, Kitchen gardening etc. 800 seats would thus become available annually for these short-term courses. The Courses need not be confined to only post-SSC students but also a number of certificate courses may be started for Pre-SSC students.
2. Lalit Kala :-In the case of Fine Arts, the scope for expansion of opportunities is considered to be not very high and there are no specific plans for the expansion of the seats at the present moment.
3. Education :-The training facilities available for the SSC students is in the field of primary teachers training centres. Since the Annual intake of teachers is in the region of 2,000 to 2,500, the training facilities available in this field are adequate. But it would be necessary to start a few classes in specific districts like Banaskantha, Kutch, Jamnagar and
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Amreli, in order to eliminate the imbalances at the Regional level. It is felt that the training facilities could be increased to 7,500 by 1982.
4. Commerce :-This is one field where specific training in Commerce may help better placement for the students. The Education Department has already suggested certain Commerce Polytechnics to be opened up. It is felt that at least about 200 schools could take up specific courses for the post-SSC students. The opportunities available in these 200 schools could thus rise to at least 8000.
5. Small-scale Industries :-The Director of Cottage Industry provides a number of training facilities. These Courses are conducted for the school drop-outs and the level of achievement required for, its trainees is also of a lower order. With the thrust being put on development of Small-scale industries, the programme for Post-SSC and technicians may be considered. Based on the post-diploma in Business Management spelling out requirements for new entrepreneurs may be started. These courses may be adopted in the existing Higher Secondary Schools with Corn. streams. It is felt that at least one Post-School Diploma in Business Administration could be designed to prepare small level entrepreneurs as also to increase the self- employment opportunities. Such a programme may be developed in 50 schools.
6. Technical :-The following fields are identified as areas where special courses could be immediately launched :
Fitter. Electrician, Wireman, Draftsman (Civil), Draughtsman (Mechanical), Radio Mechanics, Carpentary and Electric Gadget.
This could increase the intake by 1200 seats. Similarly there is scope for expansion of certificate level course in the following trades :
Turner, Motor Mechanic, Machinists, Wireman, Fitter, Electrician and Draughtsman (Civil).
It is felt that at least about 200 Higher Secondary Schools should be located which have already certain minimum facilities for workshop for at least 1000 seats. In addition, the Director of and Training feels that there was enough scope for establishment of two I.T.I.'s for this purpose.
7. Apprenticeship :-There is a scope for 50 per cent increase the seats under the Apprenticeship Scheme specially with the introduction of 33 new trades.
8. Health :-It is felt that the present facilities available for the training courses for nurses, mid-wife, are adequate. New Courses in paramedical fields could be started such, as Lab- Technicians and X-Ray Technicians, Dental Mechanics and Dental Hygienists without large funds. These may add upto 100 seats. add launching of Multipurpose Health Worker Scheme, a new vista for additional training has opened up. Specific Training Programme could be launched at least from 1979 onwards for the purpose. Annual intake is expected to be of the order of 500.
9. Miscellaneous :- The Commissioner of Co-operation is providing for a large training programme for Co-operative sectors and for their office bearers-some sort of inservice training-through Gujarat State Co-operative Union.
To gear up the following courses are suggested :-
1. Higher Diploma in Co-operation
2. Junior Basic Course (Cooperative Diploma)
At least 500 training opportunities could be opened tip by this.
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The following data is given to sum up the above programme plans :-
Field Present Capacity Expanded Capacity
Agriculture . . . . 525 1325
Lalit Kala . . . . 578 578
Education . . . . . 5413 7500
Commerce . . . . . 850 8000
Industry . . . . . 154 1000
Technical . . . . . 5287 7487
Health . . . . . 2600 3400
Apprenticeship . . . . 6817* 10000*
Career Dev. Courses . . . 285 285
Miscellaneous . . . . 290 500
22790 40075
*The total figure of Apprenticeship course available in all the Trades has been indicated, including 2772 reserved for purely post-SSC Students.
V. Finances So far as financial incidence is concerned, the State Sub- Committee has noted that in the expansion programmes there is no need for any substantial development of funds. In the field of Agriculture, the additional expansion can be met from within the existing infrastructure. In education also, the existing infrastructure of Primary Teachers Training Institutes could take the bulk of the load and the financial estimates involved in raising new institutions in the backward districts etc., should not need more than about Rs. 10 lakhs annually.
In the field of Commerce and Industry, the existing institutions can take the load and the additional cost of teachers could be met with from within the additional fees to be collected from students. For Technical side, the Director of Technical Education has estimated the need at Rs. 21 lakhs. In the field of Health, the need for expansion for training facilities has already been provided for in their training programme for the Multi-purpose Health Workers. Once the above expansion plans are accepted, individual Departments concerned should be able to provide for the marginal increase in their requirements in their own individual budgets.
VI. Coordination of Examinations A number of similar and allied courses are being conducted by different authorities within the State which have the sanction of Gujarat Government. Pending the establishment of State Council of Vocational Education, the examinations are proposed to be conducted by the following 5 specific bodies :-
1. Agricultural Courses . . Agricultural University
2. Medical and Para-Medical . . State Health
Deptt./Medical Council/
Nursing Council
3. Diploma Courses in
Technical subjects . . . Technical Examination
Board
4. Certificate Courses . . . NCTVT or State Council
with similar powers.
5. All other vocational
courses including commerce
(Shorthand and typewriting)
course . . . . . State Examination Board
VII. Organisational Arrangements The Sub-Committee of the State has recommended that a unified authority may be set up with specific functions of :-
(i) having a coordinated look at the Vocational Trainings available,
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(ii) To supervise district surveys periodically, (iii) To avoid overlapping in Vocational Fields, (iv) To award certificates of achievements, (v) To provide Vocational Guidance.
It is felt that this could be achieved only by a Vocational Education Board consisting of the representatives of Employing authorities. The present Vocational Guidance Officer and his institute could be the nucleus for this Vocational Education Board. Pending the establishment of such a Board, the V.G.O.'s post should be upgraded to that of Deputy Director so that he can begin to function as nucleus office.
It is essential according to the Sub-Committee that a specific section should be created within the State Department of Education and charged with the overall organisation of Courses of this nature whether full time or part-time.
(This write-up has been prepared on the basis of a "Report of the Sub-Committee for Examining. The Issue of Identification of Different Courses/Streams etc.", Directorate of Education, Government of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, November, 1977.