Interactions with the SSLC (10th grade) and second year PU (12th grade) regarding their choices for higher studies have not been very conclusive. While the SSLC students seem unsure about the next steps forward and too young to contemplate vocational studies, the PU students on the other hand seem to want a college degree since they have made it so far; even if it means barely passing and not having any added advantage of other accompanying skills (English communication, basic computer skills etc.).
In India, vocational studies is looked down upon as a college degree is the preferred choice to show that one is “educated”. The higher classes of society rarely opt for this stream. Neither do schools offer it as part of their curriculum as in some western countries (https://www.gtai.de/GTAI/Content/EN/Invest/_SharedDocs/Downloads/GTAI/BLG/blg--most-wanted--dual-vocational-training-in-germany-pdf.pdf?v=4). There seems to be some wrong notion that higher studies (aka college degree) is not possible if one opts for the vocational/ITI/diploma streams after the 10th grade. In fact, it makes a lot of sense, especially for students who know where their interests lie. For example, if a student is sure he wants to do civil engineering, completing the ITI diploma right after the 10th grade ensures that he is employable by the age of 19. And if he still wants to get a college degree, he can acquire a B.Tech by studying for just 3 more years as opposed to the regular four.
A large majority of students pursue the usual route of completing SSLC, then PU and then 3 (or 4) years to get a bachelors degree. Unfortunately, they also seem to be under the mistaken notion that this will ensure a job! And when they realize that it doesn’t, it’s already too late. This is especially true for the students from economically weaker sections, where the minimally educated parents are eager to ensure that their children acquire a college degree at any cost, even if it means barely getting pass marks and not learning any complementary skills that might give them an edge in the competitive jobs arena. This also leads to a tricky situation; the students armed with a college degree find it below their level to learn a vocation, but their parents expect them to start earning having spent money on their education (at all costs) for the past 21 odd years. Even those who might still be desperate and open enough to learn a vocation after getting a college degree, unfortunately don’t have time on their side as they are expected to earn at the earliest.
So, when it comes to vocational studies, the 10th graders might be too young to contemplate, the 12th graders might consider themselves fit for a college degree and the college degree holders might find it demeaning or discover they have run out of time to learn a vocation! So, who will pursue it then?
In India, vocational studies is looked down upon as a college degree is the preferred choice to show that one is “educated”. The higher classes of society rarely opt for this stream. Neither do schools offer it as part of their curriculum as in some western countries (https://www.gtai.de/GTAI/Content/EN/Invest/_SharedDocs/Downloads/GTAI/BLG/blg--most-wanted--dual-vocational-training-in-germany-pdf.pdf?v=4). There seems to be some wrong notion that higher studies (aka college degree) is not possible if one opts for the vocational/ITI/diploma streams after the 10th grade. In fact, it makes a lot of sense, especially for students who know where their interests lie. For example, if a student is sure he wants to do civil engineering, completing the ITI diploma right after the 10th grade ensures that he is employable by the age of 19. And if he still wants to get a college degree, he can acquire a B.Tech by studying for just 3 more years as opposed to the regular four.
A large majority of students pursue the usual route of completing SSLC, then PU and then 3 (or 4) years to get a bachelors degree. Unfortunately, they also seem to be under the mistaken notion that this will ensure a job! And when they realize that it doesn’t, it’s already too late. This is especially true for the students from economically weaker sections, where the minimally educated parents are eager to ensure that their children acquire a college degree at any cost, even if it means barely getting pass marks and not learning any complementary skills that might give them an edge in the competitive jobs arena. This also leads to a tricky situation; the students armed with a college degree find it below their level to learn a vocation, but their parents expect them to start earning having spent money on their education (at all costs) for the past 21 odd years. Even those who might still be desperate and open enough to learn a vocation after getting a college degree, unfortunately don’t have time on their side as they are expected to earn at the earliest.
So, when it comes to vocational studies, the 10th graders might be too young to contemplate, the 12th graders might consider themselves fit for a college degree and the college degree holders might find it demeaning or discover they have run out of time to learn a vocation! So, who will pursue it then?
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