'Reorientation of educational system based on vocationalisation seems to be need of 21st century’

Today, we are at a critical juncture when it comes to reviving interest in skills and vocational training and making learning outcome-based and industry-relevant. Mahatma Gandhi was the earliest proponent of technical education and linking curriculum with industry needs.

Of course, the needs may be different today, but the essence of making education work-integrated is of prime value.

At St. Mark’s World School (formerly St. Mark’s Girls Sr. Sec. School), the scheme of education envisages a close integration between the school and community. With the serious problem of mounting educated unemployed young men and women and growing unrest among the students, reorientation of the educational system based on vocationalisation seems to be the need of the 21st century.

Education in our country is a fundamental right, essential for well being of the people. At our institution, we emphasise upon man making and character building with the purpose of instilling in our students a scientific outlook, experimental attitude, moral spirit as well as social, economic and political understanding.

Vocationalisation of education for us stands on a high pitch and in order to push it further we focus on bringing about an attitudinal change in the students towards manual work by indulging them in various activities based on the ‘learning by doing’ concept. The students are given relevant and continuous exposure to the school laboratories where they get opportunities to put the acquired knowledge to practical use.

We also organise various seminars and workshops spearheaded by industry experts with an intention to acquaint our students with the world of work.

Participation in skill-based inter-school and intra-school competitions gives an additional boost to the diversified idea of vocational skill training.

Vocational education also implies developing life skills like psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that help the students make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate effectively and cope with managing lives in a healthy and productive manner.

At our school, all of these skills are attempted to be attained through the medium of counselling, feedback, reflections and reinforcement of the students on regular basis while indulging them in application based learning ideology. The students are engaged in production-oriented work and project-based learning which enables them to master self sufficiency, dignity of labour, mutual cooperation and social awareness.

We make a conscious effort of not equating education to academic excellence and theoretical knowledge while designing, developing and delivering the curriculum. We modernise the skill-based learning with the help of technology and provide the students with opportunities to acquire global skills by indulging in various projects with their peers all across the globe thus, getting an insight of the world work culture and demands.

Education is like a diamond with many facets and in order to invigorate the minds of the youth, vocational and skill training must be revived as it is the only means of empowerment for the progeny.

Sabina Shergill, Vice-Principal, St. Mark’s World School, Meera Bagh. Views expressed are personal.