Education board shocker to vocational degree holders

Despite the recent government resolution (GR) by the state government to give equivalence to government certified vocational courses, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) wants the students to appear for optional subjects before going for higher education.

State board chairman Sarjerao Jadhav said, “The students who have taken up certified vocational courses for two years after secondary school certificate (SSC), should appear for higher secondary certificate (HSC) examinations with only three subjects. This will help them get admission in higher education courses easily,” he said.

He added, “Those who want to go for arts should appear for English language, those who want to go for commerce should appear for English, book keeping and accountancy. Those who want to join science stream should take up English, physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology.”
However, this proposal has challenged the very purpose of the GR, which specifically asks the state board to consider students who have undergone vocational courses on par with those who have taken HSC exams.

“So far, students who have completed their certificate courses in various vocational streams have had to re-appear for standard XI and XII exams without which they couldn’t take up higher studies. But with this notification, the students can directly opt for various streams like science, arts and commerce,” said regional director, Maharashtra State Council of Vocational Examination (MSCVE), Pune, CA Ninale.

The state government made this move to encourage vocational education which has become a necessary skill in today’s changing times.