Vocational courses were introduced with a view to impart job-oriented skills to students and to reduce undesirable pressure on general stream jobs. At school-level, they were started long back in the mid 70's and at the college level, UGC started them in `94. Very recently, the concept has struck the City Beautiful with a couple of colleges offering courses like computer application, business administration, functional english etc.The vocationalisation of education is a borrowed experience from developed countries. As it happens from the very beginning, a child is nurtured in such an educational institution that provides an environment congenial to one's proficiency in a particular field. In a way, a student undergoes such academic qualifications, which are fruitful when he takes up a job. There's no overburdening with irrelevant knowledge which one may not require at any part of one's career. To be precise, the education is career-oriented.In an attempt to emulate this training, job-oriented courses are a commendable effort. What is pleasing about them is that they are merged with normal BA/BSC curriculum. One can choose them as a subject. The nature of courses is very wide ranging from language courses to computer applications. Depending upon interest, aptitude and viability, one can take these up. They provide a platform extending over three years so that after graduation, a student can look forward for a challenging career in that particular arena.Thus, the efforts which a student makes during graduation harvests rich dividends. One more feather to the cap is added by the teaching of entrepreneurship, which is done at the optimum age. Professionalism creeps into the veins of students at the desirable stage. The gusto of young age finds channelisation through these courses.And in a growing city like ours, the scope is unlimited and unrestricted. However, the scenario in the city is quite dismal. Seats are left vacant in prestigious courses. The reasons may be attributed to lack of awareness about the courses, pressure by the parents to take-up well-defined subjects and the pre-conceived idea of not jumping into something new.The courses are a golden opportunity for students doing graduation. Besides being broad-based, scoring, easy to comprehend, more practical, specialized and interactive, the courses are an asset to one's personality. Discouraging is the fact that students continue to go for traditional subjects neglecting the productive new courses-cum-subjects!But, like any other story, it has a tarnished facet too. What is startling is the revalation that the government has admitted the failure of expectations in these course ! The Central government funds allocated for it are lying unspent. Low priority, poor text book availability, lack of required management structure are the reasons which have been accorded to it by the ministry.The students doing the courses in unanimous tone say that the excessive pressure while doing these courses must be reduced. In my opinion, the staff should be thoroughly professional and the students should be exposed more to the practical utility of the course.UGC should try to tie-up with CII etc. to boost-up placements. Frequent counter-checking of colleges by the team of UGC is desirable.Then only, the course will prove something beyond a subject of graduation!The writer is a student of BA II in the S.D College.
