Mumbai: Skill development courses for BMC students soon

The teachers at the BMC schools will be trained first to teach the skill development courses. Representation pic

In an attempt to make students industry-ready, the authorities have decided to launch a pilot programme for providing skill development courses to students of civic-run schools, starting the next academic year. The Maharashtra State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), the state School Education Department and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the purpose.

Rajesh Kankal, BMC's education officer, told mid-day, "Currently, there are over 2,600 skills of which some will be shortlisted by the MSSDS for BMC schools. Once that is done, we will conduct a survey to understand the interest of students, and then trainers will be appointed accordingly. This is currently in the pipeline, but skills like ITI courses are likely to be part of this training programme."

"In the pilot phase or first phase of the programme, we aim to train 41,774 students of Std IX and X in 249 of the 1,146 civic schools. Students will be given skill development training in their field of interest/chosen skill set," said an official. After the pilot launch, the programme, which is in sync with the National Education Policy, will "gradually include another 96,922 students from Std VI to VII in a phased manner".

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"Most of these students are from economically weaker sections. This programme will not only train them in skills, but it will also boost their confidence and make them career-ready even before they get into college. After finishing school, most students are not trained for industry needs. The skill development course during school education will make them industry-ready," said the official.

According to the civic official, students will have the liberty to choose the skill-training course. "Before this, skill training will be provided to civic school teachers." Through this MoU, training will be provided up to National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) level-4 in selected schools of BMC.

The MSSDS will offer the BMC the necessary technical help for the programme. The students selected for training will be registered on the MSSDS portal. On the completion of training, the Maharashtra State Board of Skill, Vocational Education and Training will conduct an exam and award certificates.

249
No. of civic schools picked for pilot phase