The Vocational Higher Secondary Education (VHSE) sector in the State is shifting to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) in the 2018-19 academic year.
The NSQF is a competency-based framework that organises qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills and aptitude.
Kerala was among the few States in the country yet to implement the NSQF. The first phase of the project will be implemented in 66 government VHSE schools through 147 courses in the State.
The NSQF will allow students to acquire skill training along with academics. It is expected to help usher in a change in approach to vocational training and foster entrepreneurship among students.
Nearly 1,000 courses will be made available at the secondary and higher secondary stages.
The framework originally envisaged providing training in a single course from Class 9 to 12 in various levels. Now, level 1 and 2 will be available for students of Classes 9 and 10, an levels 3 and 4 for those of Classes 11 and 12.
Besides academics, 80 hours of skill training is part of the course. The training will centre around the sector where skill is desired. Each module lists the targets to be achieved by a student.
To ensure that trainers are familiar with the courses, they will be given pedagogy training and they will have to take part in ‘training of trainer’ courses.
Curriculum
Each course curriculum will have two segments — vocational theory and communication, computer training and management study as part of entrepreneurship training.
The course and study material will be developed by the Bhopal-based Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education.
The State board selects the courses it wants and submits a list to the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The Bhopal institute, accordingly, develops the study material and teachers’ handbook and practical manual, and determines the assessment criteria. It can also translate the book into the regional language.
