Healthcare, ITES, retail, auto on cards
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Goa is likely to introduce the National Vocational Educational Qualification Framework with skill-based vocational courses in Std IX from the coming academic year. This will supplement the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) scheme being introduced from June 2014.
Reports are that the NVEQF ~ if introduced from June 2014 at class IX ~ will have many takers with the Ministry for Human Resources Development funding the new scheme that will assist institutions with facilities required for starting the NVEQF pre-vocational courses.
While presently pre-vocational courses at Std IX have received lukewarm response, the NVEQF would be offering courses namely IT enabled services, automobiles, retail services and healthcare which would extend to four level of the Goa Board (IX to XII) and simultaneous furnish industrial certification at every level.
While the NVEQF will be implemented by the education ministry, the syllabus and certification would be adopted by the Goa Board.
“The Board is looking forward to the introduction of the new scheme for pre-vocational skill-based courses in Std IX,” Goa Board Chairman JR Rebello told Herald, adding that if introduced, testing for the new courses will be as per the CCE based on competency.
The committee constituted to draft the CCE for Std IX had also recommended for introduction of the NVEQF pre-vocational skill-based courses from Std IX where students could opt for two skill-based courses as against one in the existing pattern. However, the proposal would be deliberated upon and a decision taken shortly.
Data available with this paper reveals that the syllabus under the NVEQF pre-vocational skill-based courses is being designed by the Pandit Sundarlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education. The syllabus has already been drawn up for five new skill-based courses from Std IX to XII in healthcare, ITES, retail, automobiles and security services. Goa may opt for only four out of the
five courses leaving out security services for the moment. Plans are to add on the same at a later stage.
The Goa Board is currently hopeful that the new pre-vocational scheme for Std IX will help boost the pass out rate of students as the State has been recording high percentage of failures at Std IX in comparison to other States in the country.
