Mumbai: Students who do not continue regular studies after class 8 due to various reasons can still obtain the SSC Board certificate after completing vocational training courses prescribed by the government. The decision by the Skill Development Department is on the cards and will be presented before the cabinet for final approval.
There are students who are not able to complete their regular studies due to lack of interest or personal issues and the skill development department wants to encourage these students to take two years vocational training that can help them in earning employment. At the same time, they can avail a certificate of SSC board exam, which will be useful for the students, an official from the skill development department said.
“We have found that there are many dropouts after standard 8th. The students sometimes lack interest in regular studies, some cannot complete it due to poverty or some are not able to compete with others. These students should not sit idle and must learn other skills, which would help them in earning money. Their incomplete school education should not become hurdle for these students and hence we will be giving them SSC board certificate after completing vocational training. We are chalking out a draft in this regards which will be sent to the cabinet for the approval,” the official said.
The government has ITI, the authority to award the certificate to the students completing two years of the vocational courses. There are number of courses listed by the ITI like automotive repair, courses related to chemical industry, renewable energy, fabrication, fashion designing, gem and jewellery, hospitality, medical and nursing, plastic processing etc. “The students are required to do two years ITI course after which the institute will give them the board certificate. The idea is to treat the students from regular studies and vocational studies at equal level,” the official added.
