Chandigarh, December 30
To help students make appropriate choices after classes X and XII, the Chandigarh administration plans to provide good higher education and career options to them in 2008.
DPI (S) S.K. Setia says the process of career planning has stretched through the secondary and senior secondary years at school. “It requires adequate planning, which we are coming up in the next year, in terms of academic potential, attributes, talents, interests, personality and resources. These new upcoming plans will help locate suitable options.”
Gone are the times when academic excellence was the only parameter to gauge a person’s calibre. To divert from the traditional science, commerce or humanities stream, the education department has ample plans in the pipeline for the vocational stream.
The plans will stretch to 22 vocational courses in city’s 21 government senior secondary schools (GSSSs) broadly bifurcated under four heads — home science, health and para medical, engineering and commerce.
Besides, a stipend of Rs 1,090 per month will be given to the apprentice for one year.
Students with 40 per cent marks in matriculation with science, mathematics and English can undergo three-year diploma courses in architectural assistantship/electronic communication and engineering/library information/interior designing and decoration/pharmacy at Government Polytechnic for Women, Sector 10.
The class XII pass outs can opt for stenography in English/Hindi/Punjabi. Even those who have cleared middle can get expertise in dress making/hair and skin care/cutting and sewing/embroidery and needle work/leather goods making, etc. at Government Central Craft Institute in Sector 11, Chandigarh.
A number of seats have been generated at these institutes for the purpose.
The Industrial Training Institute, Sector 28, will offer middle pass or matriculates to undertake diploma courses in engineering trades like Information Technology and electronics/ draftsman civil or mechanical/ electronic mechanic/automobile/plumber/welder/carpenter/fitter/turner/electrician apart from stenography in English or Hindi.
Those who have cleared class XII with English and aspire to go in for hospitality sector can join Dr Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management-42.
Also, the Chandigarh Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition-42, offers one and half years’ diploma courses in bakery and confectionery/food beverage services/food production and house keeping.
Even government schools of Chandigarh offer two-year vocational courses after matriculation examination with 40 per cent marks.
The GMSSS-8 now has courses in fashion designing/textile designing/healthcare and beauty culture. The GMSSS-10 has hotel management and catering technology/bakery and confectionary/ food service and management/tourism and travel courses.
The GMSSS-23, 22 and 21 have courses in information technology /electronic technology/stenography and secretarial practice (English) for matriculates.
Also, special short-term courses will be offered by private agencies in government senior secondary schools from 3 pm to 5 pm. For instance, Jaspal Bhatti’s MAD Arts Institute plans two-month multimedia and animation courses at GMSSS-19 and 40.
In schools, mid-day meal scheme is being extended up to class VIII from April.
“We are working on the modalities to involve more NGOs from Chandigarh and Delhi, Stree Shakti, YTTS Group, Don Bosco Navjeevan Society, selfhelp group from Bapu Dham with Yuvsatta as co-coordinator. They will cook in small clusters, reducing transportation time within school canteens. We are also planning construction of more cooking sheds for the purpose,” said DPI (S) S.K. Setia.
