Students in dilemma, leaving vocational streams after passing Class XII

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 1

Several students are not taking up vocational streams after Class X as these are not offered at graduation level in colleges. One of the major dilemmas is what should be done after the completion of these vocational courses.

Gauravdeep Singh, who scored 91 per cent in Mass Media stream in Class XII, said he was very keen on pursuing Bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication, but this degree was not offered at any college in Punjab at graduation level. “Because of some familial obligations, I cannot leave the city currently and hence have to compromise on pursuing a diploma in mass communication. I will pursue mass communication later in post-graduation,” he said.

“It is undoubtedly a very good vocational stream at school level. If the CBSE has started such vocational streams, the government must ensure its next stage at the graduation level and hence these courses should be available at all colleges across the country,” he said.

“The University Grants Commission (UGC) is now directing colleges to recognise different streams and subjects started by the CBSE, but it should not just be restricted to recognition,” said Anjali, a schoolteacher.

“Though community colleges and vocational courses are being started by the UGC as well, it should be in consonance with the courses already started by the CBSE,” she said.

“What is the point in starting a vocational subject at school if the stream cannot be pursued in college,” said a school principal. “Vocational streams and subjects are excellent, but these must be available at the graduation level as well,” she said.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, the CBSE, state boards and the UGC should work collaboratively and chart out a curriculum on vocational streams to ensure the continuity of subjects from school-level to higher education,” she said.