K M I P

Preface

      In Kerala Vocational Higher Secondary Education was first introduced during 1983-84 and at present there are 375 Vocational Higher Secondary schools with 1000 sections. It has an annual sanctioned intake of 30000 students. But Vocational Higher Secondary Education as planned and implemented in Kerala faces several problems and issues. The courses have been implemented without a close look on market demand. The concept of vocationalisation was that it should be a terminal course. The Working Group Report on Education constituted for the formulation of Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07) recommended that any expansion of Vocational Higher Secondary Education should be considered only after a detailed study of the relevance of the courses introduced and based on future demand in the emerging context of the fast changing technology.

      The Minister for Education took a meeting in his Chamber on 16th May, 2002 and decided that the study on VHSE should be done at the earliest.

      Considering the critical need and importance, Shri. V. Ramachandran, Vice-Chairman of State Planning Board took a meeting with the department and experts in the State Planning Board and held detailed discussions. The primary objectives of the study are to assess the effectiveness of the VHSE courses introduced in 375 schools as of now and to assess the need for modernisation and introduction of courses in new areas in the specific and emerging socio economic context of Kerala.

      In the process of completing the study, the Vice-Chairman, Sri. V.Ramachandran, State Planning Board extended technical support and guidance for which I am thankful to him. The Director VHSE Shri. Mohan Abraham, Assistant Director, Smt. A. Nazeera Beegum and Research Assistant, Smt. J. Sereena have extended necessary support for the successful completion of the study. The principals and teachers of selected VHSS actively associated with the study for which my sincere thanks are due to the Director and his staff.. The State Planning Board Study team consisted of Dr. C. Harichandran, Chief, Social Services Division, Dr.S.Venkiteswaran, Chief, Evaluation Division, Shri.K.G.Isac, Joint Director (retired), Shri. N. Thrivikraman Nair, Joint Director, Smt.K.N.Omanamma, Joint Director and Shri. P.Shaji, Research Assistant worked sincerely in completing the work on time. Smt.Ramla Beevi, C.A, Social Service Division, Smt. M. Nazeema and Shri. A. Noorudeen, Typists assisted with the data entry work and Shri. K. Subramoniam, Assistant Programmer rendered Computer Service. I thank the Officers of State Planning Board for their contribution.

I am sure this report will be of great use to the planners and administrators of Vocational Higher Secondary Education in Kerala in their efforts to improve the system, make it relevant to current and emerging needs and useful to the students in developing their skills and knowledge.