More students opting for vocational courses in govt schools

Education department provides different modes of practical training to the vocational course students. Fifteen days training is given to the students after Class XI,while 45 days training is given to students after Class XII. Also,workshops are conducted in schools for courses in fashion designing,printing,clothing and textile designing. Training in hospitals and hotel industry is also conducted for courses in medical laboratory technology,food and beverage service and food production. After the practical training,there is a provision of ‘On the job training’ under the Apprenticeship Act,wherein,students after passing Class XII,are sponsored as apprentices and a stipend of Rs 1,970,per month,is given for a year.

A vocational course student said,“I want to start earning as soon as possible,I cannot afford to wait for a five-year graduation and then look for a job. Vocational courses are like professional courses,I would be efficient and capable enough to start any work after Class XII.”

Food and beverages service,health and beauty,tourism,electronics,automobiles have gained much popularity among both girls and boys. The trends are changing. Girls are interested in courses meant for boys and vice versa. There are 6 vocational subjects in the Government Model Senior School (GMSSS) Sector 23 including information technology,automobiles,electrical technology etc. Around 6-7 girls each have opted for these courses. With 210,GMSSS-23 has the maximum number of seats for vocational course students.

The principal of GMSSS Sector 15,Amarjit Kaur said,“The most popular vocational subjects these days are electrical technology,automobiles,fashion designing or textile designing. The education department has started a new subject on beauty care,and girls are taking special interest in the subject. While,boys are also seen studying subjects like fashion designing and food service and management.”

“After the second counselling,more than 75 per cent of the seats in these courses have been filled. There is no seat lying vacant under the general category,only the reserved category seats are vacant which would probably be filled after the third counselling on August 13,” added Bedi.

The education department has increased the number of sections in few of the schools after a good response from students. Also,the department has launched vocational courses in government Senior Secondary School Khudda Lahora and GSSS Manimajra.