Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra state government to safe guard the interests of students pursuing various vocational courses is setting up ‘Maharashtra Vocational Education Commission (MVEC). This was announced by State minister for higher and technical education Rajesh Tope in the legislative council.
The commission would regulate all the vocational courses that are not being conducted in an organized way. It will analyze and reform the present curriculum of all vocational courses and would put them at par with SSC and HSC exams conducted by the Maharashtra State Board.
Tope informed that all the vocational courses including ITI, MCVC, bifocal and even those conducted by Maharashtra State Board for Technical Education (MSBTE) and Maharashtra State Board for Vocational Education (MSBVE) would be governed by the MVEC once it is set up.
“The decision has been taken as per recommendations of a panel led by Symbiosis director Swati Mujumdar. Generally, certificate courses ranging from six months to two years duration were offered under the vocational board since 1986. Most institutes offering them are private ones,” he informed.
The minister added that MVEC would offer vertical and lateral mobility to students of vocational courses which is not the case right now. “After upgradation, the students pursuing ITI or diploma would be awarded equivalence. This will enable them to pursue higher education just like other students by undergoing a short-term bridge course. Over 5 lakh students would be benefited,” Tope told TOI.
He informed that the government had consulted with Maharashtra State Board and it had consented to the move. “Now, even ITI student could pursue graduation in arts, commerce and science after doing the bridge course having language as contents. The proposal would be discussed in the cabinet soon,” he said.
On the objectives on MVEC, Tope said it would examine the syllabus of these courses along with contents of practicals and employability in market. “If the private colleges are found conducting vocational courses that don’t offer employability, MVEC would close or restructure them,” Tope told members.
Citing ‘National Skill Mission’ launched by the prime minister that aims to train 50 crore youths in various courses that would help them get jobs, Tope said even the state would need about five lakh trained persons in engineering and manufacturing industries by 2022. “The syllabus of ITI is prepared by National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and therefore any equivalence to its courses would be decided by it. We’ve forwarded a proposal to them for granting the same,” he said.
Recommendations of Mujumdar panel:
* Maharashtra State Board for Vocational Education (MSBVE) to be brought under MVEC
* Even the certificate courses of one year or less duration should be brought under its ambit
* Courses of two-tear duration should be granted equivalence with the state board and should be identified as HSC (Vocation)
