CHENNAI: A vocational training school in Chennai, Thakar Bapa Vidyalaya, wants the National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) to modify the syllabus and reduce the weightage for theory, in their courses.
The school’s foundation stone was laid by Mahatma Gandhi in 1946, with an aim to help the underprivileged sections of society. It conducts two year training courses for electricians, fitters, and wiremen and one year courses in carpentry and welding. Courses for electricians, fitters and wiremen are recognised by the NCVT, while the courses in carpentry and welding are recognized by the State government. The fee for the NCVT courses is `6000 per year.
Since the minimum qualification required for the NCVT courses is 10th pass (Electrician and fitter) and 8th pass (Wireman), the school authorities feel that the students are unable to cope with the high level concepts in the theory classes. This leads to students dropping out midway through the course. In addition, most students are educated in Tamil medium schools which prove to be an impediment during theory exams.
To be eligible for certification, students have to secure a minimum of 60% marks in practical exams and 40% marks in theory exams.
The institute offers basic computer education as part of the curriculum and arranges a training-related all India tour to destinations like Agra and Delhi.
Secretary of the Thakar Bapa Vidyalaya, VK Sthananathan said that along with quality education at a nominal fee, the institute gives importance to imparting strong Gandhian values like honesty and dedication.
Apart from the government courses, the Vidyalaya conducts a 6 month training program in tailoring at a fee of Rs 60 per month. “Despite this course not requiring any educational qualification, many arts and commerce graduates have been a part of it. This is the only course where we admit women,” Sthananathan said.
Pandian, a managing trustee of the institute said, “These are job oriented courses where practical knowledge is more important. Most of our students manage to get jobs in companies like TVS and Lucas immediately after the completion of the course.”
Claiming that their placement record was much better than engineering colleges, he hoped that the corporate sector would step forward and help create awareness about the institute.
The last date for procuring admission forms is June 30. The courses will commence in July. Forms are available at the school in T Nagar from 9 am to 5 pm.