look news india
The state government has taken another big and concrete step towards making the daughters of Uttar Pradesh self-reliant and skilled. Expanding the scope of the ambitious ‘Project Praveen’, run under the joint aegis of the Department of Vocational Education and Skill Development and the Department of Basic and Secondary Education, it is now being implemented with full force in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV). Under the latest action plan issued by the government, 2,672 girl students studying in 71 Kasturba Gandhi Girls Schools of the state will be given vocational skill training as per the demand of the modern market. The regular classes of this special training program are going to start formally from 2nd November. From Kasturba schools operating in rural and semi-urban areas of the capital Lucknow to the districts of Purvanchal, Bundelkhand and western Uttar Pradesh, tremendous enthusiasm is being seen among girls and teachers regarding this scheme. For these daughters coming from deprived, weak and rural backgrounds, this initiative is not limited to just bookish knowledge but is going to give them a solid source of employment.
Project Praveen has been envisioned to teach employable skills along with secondary level education to the students studying in government schools of Uttar Pradesh. Under this scheme, Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM) is working as a free vocational training partner in the schools of the Board of Secondary Education and now in the upgraded Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. In the selected 71 Kasturba Vidyalayas, 2,672 girl students have been identified on the basis of infrastructure, availability of labs and number of girl students who are currently enrolled in classes 9 to 12. It is often seen that girls from rural areas are deprived of higher education or employment opportunities after completing 12th. Project Praveen aims to bridge this gap, so that as soon as the girl students cross the threshold of school, they have a certified vocational skill, on the basis of which they can start self-employment or get a job directly in an organized industry.
As per the timetable decided by the Skill Development Department, the training sessions will be started smoothly from November 2 in all 71 Kasturba Vidyalayas. To ensure that there is no disruption in normal academic activities and study of regular subjects, these vocational classes have been included as additional hours in the regular time-table of the school. The girl students will be given theory as well as practical training on fixed days every week. For this, qualified trainers from private and government training partners certified by Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission will directly go to these Kasturba schools and train the girl students. The number of students in each batch will be limited so that every student gets full opportunity to practice individually on machines, tools and computers.
Under Project Praveen, girl students are being taken out of the realm of traditional tailoring and embroidery and are being prepared as per the demands of the modern digital and industrial era. Many job-roles have been included in the curriculum prepared for the girl students of Kasturba schools. Among these, basic computer operations, data entry, internet tools and digital literacy under Information Technology (IT & ITES) are prominent. Apart from this, short-term certificate courses based on the standards of National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) will be conducted in sectors like repairing of small appliances of electronics and hardware, fashion designing and modern garment making, beauty and wellness, and food processing. All these courses are recognized at the national level, which will make it easier for girls to find employment in any state across the country in future.
No fee will be charged from the girl students or their families for this entire skill training program. All study materials, practical tools, uniforms and working kits related to training are being provided completely free of cost by the government. After successful completion of the course, all 2,672 girl students will be duly assessed (Third-Party Assessment). Girl students who qualify the exam will be awarded an NSQF-aligned Government Skill Certificate. Additionally, girl students who are willing to work immediately after passing 12th will be directly assisted in getting internships and employment in local industries, retail chains, IT firms and corporate establishments through Skill Development Mission’s District Employment Fairs (Rojgar Mela) and special placement drives of Kasturba Vidyalayas.
This scheme also has a deep connection with the ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign being run by the Uttar Pradesh government for the safety, respect and self-reliance of women and girls. When the daughters of economically weaker and socially backward sections stand on their own feet, it will curb the evil practices like child marriage and there will be a positive change in the attitude towards girls in the society. Basic education and skill development officials of Lucknow say that if this pilot expansion of 71 Kasturba schools starting from November 2 is successful, it will be implemented in all the remaining Kasturba Gandhi Girls Schools of the state in a phased manner, so that thousands of other daughters of the state will also be able to weave their future with the golden threads of self-reliance.