Preparation for the World of Work: Secondary and Higher Secondary Education in India

Secondary education is, perhaps, the most important part of an individual’s education as it is during these years that a student decides what she is going to take up for further education and how she is going to earn her daily bread. The present chapter examines the secondary and higher secondary education system in India and discusses how it prepares the student for the world of work. The chapter focuses on the vocational training that is imparted during the fours years of secondary (and higher secondary) education. The changing trend of vocational education at the secondary level of Indian education system is described. A description of the current state of vocational education at secondary level, different institutes/government agencies offering vocational courses, curriculum followed by different agencies, teaching methodology used, assessment methodology and certification pattern is provided. In-depth analysis of the problems faced and recommendations for the future are presented.