Education with skills need of the hour: Samagra Siksha PD

State Project Director of Samagra Shiksha, B Srinivasa Rao, has stressed the importance of integrating vocational skills with academics to equip students for the future. Addressing vocational trainers at a five-day training programme at Maris Stella College, Vijayawada, on Sunday, he underscored the need to identify students’ interests and nurture their skills accordingly.
He stated that Samagra Shiksha is offering vocational education in 10 trades for students from Class 9 to Class 12, helping reduce dropout rates. “No student should be left behind due to a lack of academic interest. Some may excel in sports, while others may prefer science. We have to provide them with the right training to develop their skills,” he said.
Srinivasa Rao noted that vocational education is being introduced at the primary level in several foreign countries. As part of the first phase, training in the IT trade is being conducted at Maris Stella College, while Agriculture, Food Processing, Healthcare, Home Appliances, and garment-making training sessions are being held at St Joseph’s College, Guntur.
He emphasised the need for students to develop scientific thinking, critical reasoning, and self-reliance in their careers. The first phase of training will conclude on March 4, followed by the second phase from March 7, covering trades such as Beauty & Wellness, Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI), Retail, Automotive, and Electronics & Hardware. Around 2,000 trainers are currently undergoing training across these trades, he informed.