Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood Prefers Jobs, Skills for Students of Delhi Government Schools

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Thursday toured a job fair in a government school and described it as a sign of the increasing importance of vocational education. As something beyond a placement scheme, Sood emphasized the government's strategy of initiating path-breaking transformations within the next five years.

He mentioned that the government is interested in giving students academic as well as career skills. Sood also mentioned that the event put the growing importance of vocational training in Delhi government schools in the spotlight.

The event, organized at a Sarvodaya school in Rohini, was graced by local MLA Rajkumar Chauhan, top officials of the Education Department, students, their parents, and delegates from more than 30 firms like HCL, Haldiram, Citykart, Navgurukul, and Tech Mahindra. The firms were providing jobs to the students who had cleared Class 12 with vocational training, a statement added.

Discussing the role, Sood interacted with corporate officials concerning the recruitment process and the nature of salary and benefits provided to candidates.

He also discussed with students how they can mold their futures by entering the job market and contributing to society.

"All the 9 to 12 classes of Delhi government schools will be provided with smart classrooms, robotics, data science, ICT labs, and personal computers in the next five years," he stated.

"It is welcome that there is such heavy presence. More welcome is the change of times students now are starting to receive the correct opportunities on the basis of their skill, merit, and talent," he stated.

Sood also said more than 4.2 lakh students have chosen vocational training in different trades in Delhi government schools in the last academic year a clear pointer skill-based learning is becoming part of main-stream education.

He asserted that this program fits perfectly into the vision of the National Education Policy 2020, which is to balance scholastic and vocational education. "The Delhi government is trying to make every student school-ready as well as life-ready," he asserted.

He gave the credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of creating space for skill recognition and employment by launching schemes like Skill India. Sood stated that the government of Delhi, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, is interested in moving that vision forward.

The minister further said that the Department of Education considers it to be everyone's responsibility to provide equal opportunities through skill development regardless of a student belonging to a particular background, religion, caste, or community.

He assured the students that they would never feel alien when they arrive at universities since their schools would equip them with theoretical and practical skills. "No student should have the notion that government schools impart only bookish knowledge; we are now providing skill-based education as well," the minister claimed.

Appreciating the efforts of top-notch recruiters such as HCL, Haldiram, and Tech Mahindra, Sood added that it is indicative of the combined muscle of school management, teachers, and the Education Department. "These companies approaching government schools and acknowledging the potential of our kids is a big statement," he added.