States nod for system to enhance student mobility, job needs (Lead)

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) State education ministers Tuesday endorsed the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and the credit framework for skills to enable student mobility across institutions after the union government strongly pitched for the measure aimed at meeting student aspirations and employment needs.

The day-long conference convened by the human resource development ministry decided to form a joint working group comprising nominees from the central and state government to sort out issues in implementing CBCS and the credit framework.

Addressing the gathering, HRD Minister Smriti Irani strongly pitched for the system which has been advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought its implementation in educational institutions from the coming academic session.

"It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream that while recognising skill, each student from class 9 up to the post-graduate level, is given more choices," she said.

Noting her ministry presented the CBCS and the credit framework to the country in November 2014, she said: "Today, we are appealing to all states to implement this in all their universities and colleges so that our students get more opportunities for mobility across the country."

Irani spoke of dignity of labour and gave her own example when she washed utensils 15 years back.

"If you want to become a plumber or a mechanic, you should not feel ashamed of it. Being a minister, I feel proud that nearly 15 years ago, I have washed utensils at a Mumbai hotel...it is so because this country is a country of aspirations," she said, terming the credit framework for skills and CBCS a "historical step" taken towards student mobility and skill enhancement.

Minister of State for HRD Ram Shankar Katheria later told IANS: "We earn a degree but still remain unemployed. In such a scenario, we need to see how we can develop our students better."

Telangana Education Minister Jagadish Reddy told IANS that it was "extremely necessary" to implement the framework.

"We had introduced it in our university and its implementation across the country would prove to be extremely beneficial," he said.

Reddy added that students moving from one state to another can continue with their education without any difficulty.

The credit framework, formulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC), will allow vertical and lateral mobility within the vocational education system and between the current education systems. It would also enable potential employers to assess their performance.

An official statement by the HRD ministry said that ministers "from all the states endorsed the credit framework and CBCS guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission."

"The conference was unanimous that adoption of credit framework and CBCS is one of the best ways to bring about changes to meet student aspirations and employment needs," it said.

It said the credit framework signals respect for skills and vocational courses in mainstream higher education, an initiative that will help change the mindset about vocational education being an inferior option.

The CBCS opens up possibilities for students pursuing skills and "courses of their choice to enhance their employability"."

The statement said that Irani accepted the suggestion of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra to set up a joint working group to sort out issues relating to implementation. She also agreed to the setting up of a Grievance Cell in the UGC to address challenges concerning the implementation.