Sibal moots skill development course in agri in high schools

Initially,the course would be introduced in schools affiliated to the CBSE board,he said,adding,subsequently state examination boards would be asked to follow it.

CBSE would provide certificates to successful students of the course,he added.

The HRD minister said the course is the need of the hour as it would help youths particularly in the rural areas gain employment.

He said countries like England,Australia and Germany have similar progressive syllabus at school level.

Empowering the youths living in villages with skills would also check rampant migration from villages to the towns,Sibal said.

“The world population is expected to touch 9 billion by 2050…to feed this hugely growing masses science and technology has to boost farm practises in India and other parts of the world”,he added.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar,who was the chief guest at the 82nd Annual General Meeting of the ICAR society,appreciated Sibal’s opinion and assured all cooperation in making it functional.

“Sibal has come out with a good idea (starting skill development course in farm sector)…Union Agriculture ministry will extend all cooperation in making it functional,” Pawar told reporters as he emerged from the function.

Giving shape to its skill development initiative,HRD Ministry had last month announced constitution of a group of state education Ministers to suggest ways for strengthening vocational education at all levels.

It would also seek to develop a broad consensus on the contours of the proposed National Vocational Education Qualifications Framework.

The vocational framework would set common principles and guidelines for a nationally recognised qualification system,covering schools,vocational education institutes and institutes of higher education.