Low scorers in SSC need not sulk if they don’t get into any of the traditional arts, science and commerce courses in top colleges. These institutions also offer minimum competency vocational courses (MCVC) which can provide a lateral entry into a degree course and a direct entry into the employment market. Admissions
to these courses are being done offline.
Anil Joshi, professor of Sathaye College, Vile Parle, feels that polytechnic courses are best for students from poor financial backgrounds as they can lead to a job immediately after the two- or three-year diploma course.
“After studying conventional courses, graduates fail to get employment due to lack of suitable placements and vocational skills. I believe having technical or vocational skills is the answer to these problems. MCVC give students an edge because the vocational component in these courses is 70% and students gets ample practical knowledge and experience.”
After acquiring vocational skills, a majority of the students get jobs after Std XII, he added.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, had started MCVC in 1989 to help students acquire generic technical knowledge, vocational skills and to promote self-employability through job-oriented courses.
Currently, there are around 1,000 colleges in Maharashtra that offer these courses post-Std X. The intake capacity of the colleges is around 50 to 100 depending on the number of courses they offer. Std XII exams are conducted by the Higher Secondary Board and MCVC students may complete their higher education in science, commerce or arts.
Vidyadhar Godbole, professor of DG Ruparel College, Matunga, and also the seniormost teacher in vocational education, said, “Students who miss out on admissions to the traditional streams in top colleges can opt for MCVC and continue with degree-level courses like bachelor of arts, science, commerce, mass media, law etc,” he said. According to him, the most popular courses are from technical and commerce groups.
“Many of our MCVC students have now become successful chartered accountants and engineers, and many have occupied managerial positions in reputed banks,” Godbole said.
“However, the response for these courses is still poor, as not many students are aware of the MCVC option and there are a lot of misconceptions about it. But the fact is that MCVC is as beneficial as conventional courses,” added Joshi.
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