Doubted existence of VHSE department

VHSE Department can be aptly said as a department with “Unity in Diversity” working set up in our state. We have professionals from Engineering, Veterinary, Agriculture, Para Medicine, Fisheries, Management, Commerce, Humanities and Home Science fields. But the sad face is that with this much of enriched professionals also, we are not able to tackle the booming unemployment issues faced by our certificate holders. Time and again we have been discussing about the unemployment issues faced by our pass outs. No way but to say that these discussions are remaining as discussions only and a fruitful out come is yet in expectation only. Now it is high time to think about the ways and means of resolving such a gigantic issue faced by our young enthusiasts.

Employment opportunity to our students should not simply mean as an employee – employer relationship. Each of our Vocational Higher Secondary pass out is supposed to be an entrepreneur. Our present curriculum which is enriched with Entrepreneurship Development course itself is that we are making them eligible and confident for setting up of own business enterprise once they acquire trade certificate. I don’t think there will be a second opinion in this. Lack of confidence of these students to take up the skills they acquire as a business will question each one of us in our own professional ability. If we will not be able to guide these 27500 to 33000 yearly pass outs towards a sustainable source of income for their livelihood, we will have no other option except to admit that none of us are professionals. Then it will not be a wonder that even after 30 years of introduction of these professional courses, our department will never be able to deliver the expected professional result out of it.

As we all know, vocational education was introduced in our state at Higher Secondary level in 1983-84 with the objective of imparting quality professional education to the young educational enthusiasts from the base level itself. Unfortunately, knowingly or unknowingly from then itself a wrong information was passed on to the students by giving thrust on Government employment on passing out rather than self employment. Such disappointed unemployed youths should be treated as avenue for innovations by our department in finding out opportunities for them. It is disappointing to note that the number of students who wish to engage in an income source based on the skills they acquire is meager. Upon analysis of the situation, it has been seen that the reluctance of young professionals to take up their profession in business line comes out from the lack of confidence and the risk associated with setting up of a business. So from now onwards we have to think about new avenues and future course of action of VHSE education in our state.. The responsibility of our department towards the pass outs also comes to a halt on issue of a trade certificate with out any further follow ups. The situation has to change by addition of a separate active wing with facilitation function that should act as a green channel for setting up of enterprises for our pass outs.