Enhanced Vocational Education and Training (Event) under the Ministry of Education (MoE) has decided to conduct a proxy means test in all centre allocated for School Leaving Certificate examination.

Those who pass the test will be provided with an opportunity to get scholarships in various vocational and technical training run by Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training. Students can apply from their respective exam centres during the SLC exam period from March 14-24. Launched last year, the Event project aims to provide 15 and 29 months of technical and vocational training to some 75,000 youths. According to project coordinator and MoE Joint-secretary Laxmi Ram Poudel, the target students are from the disadvantage community, especially those who are poor, living in backward regions, females, Dalits, marginalised Janajatis and people with disabilities.

The scholarship amount ranges from Rs 32,000 to Rs 60,000 depending upon the nature of courses. “The courses are designed as per youths’ interests and the market demand,” said Poudel at an interaction programme organised by Education Journalist Network in the Capital on Saturday.

The vocational training includes diploma in lab, radiography, CMA, ANM, sub-overseer in electronics, mechanical and engineering; JTA, social mobilisers and surveyors. Similarly, beautician, tailoring and knitting, mobile and motorcycle are among 18 types of trainings to be provided under the programme. The five-year programme is likely to see a whopping investment of Rs 3.5 billion.

source: The Kathmandu Post,17 Feb 2013