GPCC urges govt not to stop vocational courses

The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Saturday questioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant-led government's decision to stop vocational courses in higher secondary schools across the state from the next academic year, stating that any unilateral decision in this regard will hinder the development of the younger generation's skill set.

"Instead of creating employment for our local youth, this government is interested in taking unilateral decisions against their interest, creating more and more joblessness," said GPCC president Girish Chodankar.

"We request the government to spell out their intention clearly as to why they want to stop these vocational courses all of sudden after almost 32 years as this will not only cause several problems for over 250 odd teaching and non-teaching staff but to over 4,000 students every year who admit themselves to different vocational streams in Standard 11," he said.

The GPCC chief said the government should have a dialogue and discuss the pros and cons with stakeholders and make a proper road map for the future before arriving at any decision on closing these vocational courses.

Girish also questioned the government as to what alternate arrangements have been made to accommodate these 250 odd staff and over 4,000 students, who want to pursue their education through vocational streams.

Praising the 1988 Congress government for their vision to introduce vocational courses in Goa, Girish said: "It is thanks to their vision, lakhs of students across generations have developed their hidden skill sets, many of whom have gone to land themselves jobs in big companies while others started a business on their own.