Under the State board curriculum, students of class 9th and 10th can now take up a vocational subject instead of a second or third language. This would be initiated from the next academic year.
The state school education department is laying stress on training government-aided schools to teach automobile, information technology, retail and multiple skills such as plumbing and carpentry as subjects.
Around 2 years back, the education department had introduced skill development curriculum in 350 schools, across the state on a pilot basis with the aim to provide early vocational training to students. However, starting this year, the curriculum has been extended to other aided schools and 30 teachers will be trained in skill development for a period of one year. After undergoing the training, the teachers would be asked to implement the curriculum in their respective schools and train others. These teachers will be paid an extra salary of Rs 650 per month for this.
One of the unique aspects of the vocational curriculum is that it is focused on hands-on learning. In the period of one year, students will have to work as an apprentice for three months.
