OUR CORRESPONDENT
MANGALDAI: Fund Crisis in Vocational Courses: University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of HRD, Government of India, in its mission to start a skill based education under the Skill India reform, as directed by the Prime Minister of India, initiated a scheme known as Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc.). This was introduced in the higher education system after carefully examining the skill gaps in the current industry.
Bachelor in vocational courses (B.Voc.) was made a three-year regular degree course at par with other undergraduate courses recognized by the authorities concerned. The academic structure was segregated to various trades (courses) to cater to the gap reported by different industries. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) created a framework which included multiple stakeholders to map out a curriculum with National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and the respective Sector Skill Council (SSC) as directed by UGC.
Unlike the general courses available to students for pursuing an undergraduate degree such as B.Sc., B.A and B.Com, the major advantage with B.Voc degree is the option for multiple entry/exit option in the course structure. The main motive of the degree is to enable the students to find a skill based job in the respective trade, so that the students can leave for work after successful completion of an academic year and later resume studies when they seek. The course structure awards a diploma to a student after completion of first year. If continued to second year, a student is awarded Advanced Diploma and after completion of three years, a student gets a full degree.
The system is specially designed to enable flexibility for the students to work as well as earn at the same time. Since its inception in 2015, placements across various industries have been exceptionally commendable. B.Voc. has been successful in providing human resource to various industries across the State and country, making them independent with proper earnings and a better career path. Many of the students have also established themselves as successful entrepreneurs.
UGC has initially provided funds for startup/ infrastructure but after initial grant, funds have been irregular since the last 3-4 years and even reimbursements of previous expenditures are yet to be received from UGC. This has taken a toll on the financial condition of the faculties as they are not getting any emoluments from the colleges for months now. In absence of funds, faculty salaries were managed from student fee, but after the Government of Assam's decision of fee waiver notification, income of college fee took a serious hit. As this course primarily consists of practical learning in nature, colleges tried to collect fee for admission and laboratory but enrollment was quite low as free education was available in the colleges with general degree. The reduced enrolment of students has caused quite a bottleneck.
After reaching out to the college administration, authorities have turned a deaf ear towards the plight of the B.Voc faculties and cite lack of funds as ground for even a possible discontinuation of the course. As of now, a total of around 2500 students are pursuing degree under various colleges across Assam, any discontinuation of the course will jeopardize the career of those students. Most of the faculties are well qualified and have dedicated their labour, determination and time in skilling the students for more than five years now with irregular salary and without any benefits. As most of the faculties are inching closer towards the upper age limit for government job, a sense of fear, anxiety and disappointment has crippled these teachers. In absence of financial security and future prospects, these faculties are staring at a bleak future, to say the least.