Launch of guidelines for implementation of 10 bagless days in schools

The National Consultation Meeting on the Implementation of Vocationalisation of Education in Schools under Samagra Shiksha was held on the 27^th and 28^th of February at PSSCIVE, Bhopal.

The main agenda for the meeting included a multi-stakeholder interaction to deliberate key aspects of the (National Education Policy) NEP 2020 that concerns the successful implementation of vocational education in schools, especially the launch of guidelines for the implementation of 10 bagless days in schools.

The participants included officials from NCERT, the Department of School Education and Examination Boards of States and Union Territories, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), representatives from industry, Sector Skill Council (SSC), Non-Profit Organizations and academicians from higher education.

The meeting was organized in such a way that the participants got an opportunity to share their experiences and views on important themes emerging from recommendations of NEP 2020 at the school level.

Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, NCERT, New Delhi, reiterated the importance of creating awareness among students about the future of work and why there is a need to integrate technology by way of blended learning for better reach and access to the courses. He also emphasised on integrating vocational and general education through innovative curriculum and shared a few updates on the projects undertaken by NCERT.

Dr. Deepak Paliwal, Joint Director, PSSCIVE, Bhopal, shared updates on the initiatives at PSSCIVE and spoke about the need to use virtual labs and e-learning to expand the reach of the courses. He also mentioned a list of new vocational courses such as Drone Technology, futuristic techniques for micro irrigation and more.

The importance of lifelong learning to bring in a revolution in school education along with making vocational subjects compulsory for all schools under the Samagra Shiksha scheme were some of the key takeaways from the talk by Mr. Bhagirath Shetye, GBSHSE, Goa.

Then Prof. Vinay Mehrotra (Head, Curriculum Development and Evaluation, PSSCIVE, Bhopal) delved deeper into how vocational education should be given equivalence with general education. He spoke about vocational exposure, multidisciplinary and holistic education, pre-vocational awareness and sensitisation, and implementation of 10 bagless days at middle and secondary stages as per the recommendations of NEP 2020.

The National Consultation Meeting on Implementation of Vocationalisation of Education in Schools under Samagra Shiksha proceeded with thematic discussions on how NEP 2020 can be effectively implemented in schools. The topics included strengthening and expansion of vocational education through fruitful industry-academia collaboration for quality learning outcomes, dynamic models for teacher education, sharing best practices in implementing the courses and the use of technology for reliable assessments and evaluation.

The discussions also focused on the scope of the National Credit Framework in paving ways for parity and equivalence of qualifications and how digital interventions can transform the scope of skilling for a resilient and sustainable future.

Launch of guidelines for the implementation of 10 bagless days in schools

One of the highlights of the meeting was the launch of guidelines for the implementation of 10 bagless days in schools. The guidelines cover all the important aspects of implementing 10 bagless days. The guidelines section deals with various dimensions to be considered for the effective implementation of guidelines for 10 bagless days as well as suggestive activities have also been added to give exposure to teachers to plan and carry out the activities. These guidelines will help schools to implement activities in a systematic way.

Check out the guidelines for the implementation of 10 bagless days in schools

What are ‘10 bagless days’

The concept of 10 bagless days in schools is a fun-filled way of introducing vocational education right from the school level. The NEP 2020 proposes exposing at least 50% of learners to vocational education and vocational subjects. This is to attract the students and sensitise them to the workplace through engaging in activities involving the head, hand, and heart. The guidelines are developed by the faculty of PSSCIVE along with other organisations and institutions.

The underlying idea behind 10 bagless days is to make vocational subjects an integral part of the teaching-learning process from classes 6 to 8. It will reduce the gap between bookish knowledge and the application of knowledge and expose children to skills in work areas helping them to decide on future career paths.

The multi-skill activities will foster the development of various skills, soft skills, aesthetic values, cooperation, teamwork, judiciousness, use of raw materials, creativity, quality, etc. The NCERT will also frame a practice-based curriculum for grades 6 to 8. The students can take a fun course and participate in a 10-day bagless program sometime during classes 6 to 8, where they will learn and intern with local vocational experts such as Carpenters, Gardeners, Potters, etc. Sports artist will be used for enriching activities that involves arts, quizzes, sports, and crafts.

Children will also get exposed to activities outside school through visits to places, and monuments of historical, cultural and tourist importance. They will also get a chance to meet local artists, artisans, and craftsmen, and to visit higher education institutions in their village, tehsil, district, or state. A practice-based curriculum for classes 6 to 8 will be appropriately designed by NCERT while framing the syllabus.

Objectives of 10 bagless days

• To build observation-based learning, capacity and scope for practice
• Develop an understanding of the connectedness of community and interdependence
• Interdependence of classroom with theoretical as well as practical application
• Promote the dignity of labour through hands-on activity and existing loans. Local locations like carpentry, electrical work, gardening, pottery, etc.
• Interact with local artisans and craftsmen to develop and popularise the concept of vocal with local
• Give exposure to possible career, and higher education avenues

Methodology to implement 10 bagless days in schools

• The teacher will conduct outdoor as well as indoor activities which may include educational tours, field visits, experiments, natural exposure, explanations, surveys, case studies, interviewing the local community, etc.

The concept of 10 bagless days in schools encourages learning through experiences and creativity among the students. It also gives adequate opportunities to students to learn about activities of which they were otherwise not aware and to express their interest in different vocational subjects and fields in an all-inclusive and equitable environment.