Role of Vocational Education in Shaping Socio-Economic Landscape in India

Unlike in other countries, vocational education and technical training system are considered as separate entities in India. While vocational education is imparted through the regular schools in the general education system, vocational training is through the specialized training institutions. This paper argues that the courses offered are not demand driven and lack forward linkages. Infrastructure to run the courses is either not up to the mark or is totally absent. The quality of teachers, if available, is also under cloud. Students have a fixed psyche to go for higher education. The paper suggests total revamping of vocational education at school level with measures to change the mindsets of students and make it effective and efficient.