Asian Journal of Management

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Vocational Education and Training: The Role of ODL


Affiliations
1 Dr. C.V. Raman University, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh - 495113, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


There has been a tremendous focus on vocational education in the five year plans. It has off late caught the fancy of the academicians, policy makers, etc. The Twelfth Five Year Plan has specially laid its emphasis on skill education in its Approach paper.

However, the reality check is that, given a choice between the two options for education: general education and vocational education, the tilt has been more towards general education than vocational and compared to the western countries the participation rate of students in the vocational courses are very less. Due to globalization and the growth of knowledge economy, there is a tough competition everywhere and therefore the only mantra to success is knowledge, skill and training. The focus is more on working skills and expertise in a particular field of one‟s own. Hence vocational education and training can prove to be double edged weapon to be used against unemployment problem and also producing skilled technicians and workers for the global market. Vocational Education has been defined as any form of education, the purpose of which is to fit an individual to pursue effectively a recognized profitable employment, whether pursued for wages or otherwise. Earlier vocational education had no formal base and hence it was imparted in such a way that the learner acquired the skill by observation and manually handling things.1

Distance and Open Learning has emerged as a most viable option in higher education sector. In Assam, we have two dual mode Universities, one State Open University and IGNOU, beside some private institutions and "foreign universities" offering off campus education through their study center in the state.

The present paper aims to view the status of the vocational education and training as provided through distance mode by the distance educational Institutes. The paper has its own limitations, as it deals with the vocational education at the tertiary level only. The paper will lay emphasis on the potentialities of such education and training for the youths of Assam and the role that distance education can play to give them a dignified life by equipping them with the required skill.


Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Basu, Swaraj and Srivastava, Manjulika, (2010). Distance Learning in North East: An Overview, University News 48(38).

  • Fozdar, B.I., and Kumar, P.S. (2006).The Role of Open and Distance Learning in Vocational Education and Training in India. Retrived from http://wikieducator.org/images/f/ff/PID_89.pdf on 06-01-11.

  • Ghosh, Suresh C. (2007). History of Education in India, Rawat Publications, New Delhi .

  • Kamat, H.D. and David, A. (2007). Vocational Education, Crescent Publications, New Delhi.

  • Lyndem, Biloris and De, Utpal K. (edt) (2004). Education in North East India: Experience and Challenge, Concept, New Delhi.

  • Ramanujam, P.R. (2009) Distance Open Learning: Challenges to Developing Countries, Shipra, Delhi.

  • Perraton, Hillary (2000) Open and Distance Learning in the Developing World, Routledge, London

  • Moran, Louise % Rumble, Grenville (edt). (2005). Vocational Education and Training through Open and Distance Learning, Vol. 15, Routledge Falmer, New York

  • Some of the websites referred: www.ignou.ac.in, www.ruralpovertyportal.org,www.planningcommission.nic.in, www.assocham.org, http://www.knowledgecommission.gov.in , http://nceuis.nic.in, http://www.aicte-india.org, www.labourbureau. nic.in, www.ifad.org, http://info.worldbank.org, http://www.oecd.org, http://dget.gov.in.

  • NCERT, 2005. National Curriculum Framework 2005, New Delhi

  • National Policy on Education (1986): National Policy on Education, 1986. New Delhi UGC. Available online at: http://www.ugc.ac. in/policy/npe 86.html (accessed 1 January 2008).

  • UNESCO (2002a). Open and Distance Learning: Trends Policy and Strategy Consideration. Paris

  • UNESCO. Available online at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/ images/oo12/001284/128463e.pdt (accessed 1 January 2008).

  • World employment report 2008, Labour Bureau Report, 2009-10

  • W.M. Macmillan (1938)


Abstract Views: 409

PDF Views: 0




  • Vocational Education and Training: The Role of ODL

Abstract Views: 409  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Shailendra Kumar Gupta
Dr. C.V. Raman University, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh - 495113, India

Abstract


There has been a tremendous focus on vocational education in the five year plans. It has off late caught the fancy of the academicians, policy makers, etc. The Twelfth Five Year Plan has specially laid its emphasis on skill education in its Approach paper.

However, the reality check is that, given a choice between the two options for education: general education and vocational education, the tilt has been more towards general education than vocational and compared to the western countries the participation rate of students in the vocational courses are very less. Due to globalization and the growth of knowledge economy, there is a tough competition everywhere and therefore the only mantra to success is knowledge, skill and training. The focus is more on working skills and expertise in a particular field of one‟s own. Hence vocational education and training can prove to be double edged weapon to be used against unemployment problem and also producing skilled technicians and workers for the global market. Vocational Education has been defined as any form of education, the purpose of which is to fit an individual to pursue effectively a recognized profitable employment, whether pursued for wages or otherwise. Earlier vocational education had no formal base and hence it was imparted in such a way that the learner acquired the skill by observation and manually handling things.1

Distance and Open Learning has emerged as a most viable option in higher education sector. In Assam, we have two dual mode Universities, one State Open University and IGNOU, beside some private institutions and "foreign universities" offering off campus education through their study center in the state.

The present paper aims to view the status of the vocational education and training as provided through distance mode by the distance educational Institutes. The paper has its own limitations, as it deals with the vocational education at the tertiary level only. The paper will lay emphasis on the potentialities of such education and training for the youths of Assam and the role that distance education can play to give them a dignified life by equipping them with the required skill.


References