Vocationalisation Of Higher Education : Key Issues, Options And Strategies

This comprehensive paper critically analyses the supply of competent human resource which is vital for our Indian economic restructuring and achieving global competitiveness, and suggests that if all the available human resources are to be discovered and developed, a system of education based on sound principle of social justice is very essential.  This paper argues that Educational process is to be linked with production and employment.  This paper further argues that Human development is the end economic growth a means and hence, the purpose of growth should be to enrich people’s lives, however, far too often it does not, and on the said backdrop, this paper takes stock of the recent trends, development in the recent decades which clearly show that there is no automatic link between growth and human development, and even when links are established, they may gradually be eroded unless regularly fortified by skilful and intelligent policy management.

This paper illustratively outlines that the empirical studies, surveys, reports of various commissions and committees unequivocally pinpoint that there is ill-planned restructuring and sudden introduction of Vocational Courses at first degree stage.   Basic problems emanating from economic growth prevent of technology and the effect of globalization cannot be countered by restructuring and vocational education alone. In a democracy the worth and dignity of every individual is to be recognized. 

This paper suggests that the endowed potentialities of every individual must be discovered and developed to the fullest extent to enable him or her to become a potential worker and a creative citizen contributing to the all round progress of the society of which he is a member.  No country can achieve full economic growth if it fails to make the most of all the talents of its citizens.  The progress of a country largely depends on the fullest utilization of its manpower. 

This paper concludes and stresses the need to restructure and reorient the entire higher educational system, however, in a planned manner. Re-orientation of the educational programme should be undertaken in such a manner that it helps to produce self-reliant and self-dependent citizens.  India has recognized the need for fundamental educational reforms & restructuring of various courses.