The Delhi Government had taken a decision to introduce six new skill subjects in all Government schools, at the secondary level, from the 2023-24 academic session. According to the order skill subjects like retail, information technology, introduction to financial markets, food production, marketing and sales, physical activity training, beauty and wellness and data science are to be inducted as vocational subjects, in the Delhi government schools curriculum. “A well-skilled workforce is one of the key requirements for the prosperity and growth for any country. Skill Subjects help in the development of professional competencies which are analytical, applied and outcome-based. Skill Education in schools can help students learn about a trade progressively to create a product and also to become a problem solver in life,” the order read.
“In the light of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Point No 16-Reimagining Vocational Education Sub Point No 16.4 quoted as: “This policy aims to overcome the social status hierarchy associated with vocational education and requires integration of vocational education programmes into mainstream education in all education institutions in a phased manner. Beginning with vocational exposure at early ages in middle and secondary school, quality vocational education will be integrated smoothly into higher education. It will ensure that every child learns at least one vocation and is exposed to several more. This would lead to emphasizing the dignity of labour and importance of various vocations involving Indian arts and partisanship,” it read.
“All the heads of government schools where Vocational/ National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) subject is not being taught presently, are hereby directed to introduce a Skill Subject in class IX and class X from Academic Session 2023-24 and ensure that each student of class IX as well as
class X must be registered with Skill Subject from the Academic Session 2023- 24,” it added.
