‘Vocational stream hit by staff shortage’

Talking to DT Next he said, the federation had been continually petitioning the state to fill up nearly 600 vacancies created either by vocational teacher’s retirement or promotion. “The government presently either allows retired teachers post to lapse or closes down the vocational stream taught by that teacher thereby depriving students of a chance to learn a trade which helps them earn a livelihood,” Janardhanan added. In 1978-79 when vocational education became streamlined in TN, only 21.49 per cent of the then higher secondary strength of 1.11 lakh opted for it. Though the higher secondary classes student strength increased over the years, those opting for vocational courses came down due to the government move of allowing the vacancies to lapse. 

“Thus in 1993-94, the percentage of vocational students dipped to 17.18 per cent though higher secondary classes student strength was 5.70 lakh. As of 2016-17, vocational students percentage dipped to 7 per cent through student strength increased to 8.93 lakh. 

This trend is despite the fact that government over the years regularised the services of vocational teachers. “While 4,324 posts were regularised in 1990, another 800 were regularised in the second phase, 587 in the third, 602 in the fourth and another 702 in the final phase,” Janardhanan said. 

“Currently 600 posts lie vacant all over the state and we are assured that they will be filled whenever we meet top education officials,” he added. If the same trend continues, there is a good chance of the entire vocational stream being wound up fully by 2023-24, he noted.