No takers for vocational courses
16 May 2012 2:01 PM IST
Hoping she would have an edge over others while applying to the bachelor of business studies (BBS) programme, Shriya Sharma (name changed on request) opted for the (then) newly-introduced financial market management (FMM) paper in Class 12. However, much to her dismay, she wasn’t even allowed to take the BBS entrance exam.
Five years have passed since then, but even now the fate of students choosing vocational subjects in Class 12 hangs in the balance. This year as well, those with vocational subjects in Class 12 cannot write the BBS entrance test as the university has decided not to include vocational courses in the best four.
With vocational electives offered by Central Board of Secondary Education not finding acceptance in major universities, including the University of Delhi, students are the worst hit. Says Nishtha Shailajan, a design student at National Institute of Design, ‘It is very unfortunate. It pinches a lot when you are denied admission even after specialising in a certain discipline. Two years of hard work and dedication gone in vain! If there is no acceptance of these courses in major universities, what is the point of offering them in the first place?’
Mass media students also have a similar fate as that of FMM students. The CJET (Common Journalism Entrance Test) does not acknowledge the subject. Says Dr Sunil Sodhi, principal, Maharaja Agrasen College, one of the only two co-ed colleges offering BA (hons) journalism in Delhi University, ‘At the moment there is no such provision. However, if a course like this is being offered, it should be considered. Rather, these students should be preferred.'
Dilip Chenoy, CEO and MD, National Skill Development Corporation, says, “Bringing vocational courses into mainstream education is a big challenge and continues to be so. At present, one can hope that the setting up of National Vocational Education Qualifications Framework will address this problem.'
Five years have passed since then, but even now the fate of students choosing vocational subjects in Class 12 hangs in the balance. This year as well, those with vocational subjects in Class 12 cannot write the BBS entrance test as the university has decided not to include vocational courses in the best four.
With vocational electives offered by Central Board of Secondary Education not finding acceptance in major universities, including the University of Delhi, students are the worst hit. Says Nishtha Shailajan, a design student at National Institute of Design, ‘It is very unfortunate. It pinches a lot when you are denied admission even after specialising in a certain discipline. Two years of hard work and dedication gone in vain! If there is no acceptance of these courses in major universities, what is the point of offering them in the first place?’
Mass media students also have a similar fate as that of FMM students. The CJET (Common Journalism Entrance Test) does not acknowledge the subject. Says Dr Sunil Sodhi, principal, Maharaja Agrasen College, one of the only two co-ed colleges offering BA (hons) journalism in Delhi University, ‘At the moment there is no such provision. However, if a course like this is being offered, it should be considered. Rather, these students should be preferred.'
Dilip Chenoy, CEO and MD, National Skill Development Corporation, says, “Bringing vocational courses into mainstream education is a big challenge and continues to be so. At present, one can hope that the setting up of National Vocational Education Qualifications Framework will address this problem.'
Next Story
