Vocational Training Introduced in Delhi Government Schools
In a significant move aimed at aligning education with real-world skills, the Delhi government is set to roll out a pre-vocational education program named ‘Kaushal Bodh’ for government school students starting from Class 6. The initiative will begin in the academic year 2025–26, with plans to expand to Classes 7 and 8 over subsequent years.
What is the Kaushal Bodh Program?
Kaushal Bodh (translated as Skill Awareness) is a hands-on, project-based learning initiative tailored to equip students with essential life and vocational skills early in their education. Unlike traditional rote-based learning, this program focuses on developing practical capabilities, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and an appreciation for manual work and sustainability.
Key Activities Under the Program
According to the Delhi Directorate of Education, the Kaushal Bodh curriculum will be divided into three broad categories:
- Working with Life Forms: Organic farming, kitchen gardening, composting
- Working with Materials and Machines: Pottery, carpentry, embroidery, basic electrical work
- Working in Human Services: Cooking (with a focus on millets), basic caregiving, and community-based services
Students will complete three hands-on projects annually, selecting one from each category.
Quotes and Official Statements
“This is a visionary step toward creating future-ready citizens,” said a senior Delhi Education Department official. “We want our children to learn by doing and understand the dignity of labor. This is more than just a vocational program — it’s life education.”
Deputy Chief Minister Atishi, who also oversees education, emphasized in earlier statements that the government is focused on bridging the skill gap and making students more employable and self-reliant in the long run.
“Education in Delhi is undergoing a paradigm shift. We’re ensuring that students are not just academically proficient but also practically capable,” she has said in a prior education policy briefing.
Implementation Strategy
- Pilot Phase: Starts with Class 6 in 2025–26
- Expansion: Extended to Classes 7 and 8 in the following years
- Project Format: Group-based, teacher-guided, practical tasks
- Evaluation: Based on participation, collaboration, and reflection rather than grades
Teachers will receive specialized training to facilitate and guide students through these projects, ensuring safety and learning outcomes are maintained.
National Education Policy Alignment
The Kaushal Bodh initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes experiential learning, skill-building, and the holistic development of students.
The policy envisions a shift from purely academic knowledge to a more competency-based education system. Kaushal Bodh is seen as a local embodiment of this national goal.
Why It Matters
- Bridging the Skill Gap: Helps students gain real-world, employable skills early
- Hands-on Learning: Makes learning interactive and memorable
- Career Awareness: Introduces various professions and practical paths beyond textbooks
- Inclusion of Traditional Crafts: Preserves cultural practices like pottery and embroidery
- Health & Nutrition Focus: Promotes millet-based cooking and sustainable eating
Reception by Educators
Many school principals and teachers have welcomed the move.
“This will encourage students to value all kinds of work,” said Ms. Shalini Mehta, Principal of a government school in West Delhi. “It will also help them identify their interests and possibly shape future careers.”
Education experts say this early exposure to life skills may also improve student engagement and reduce dropout rates in higher grades.
With Kaushal Bodh, the Delhi government is not just launching another school program — it’s nurturing a generation of self-reliant, skilled learners ready to take on future challenges. By integrating vocational skills into the classroom as early as Class 6, this initiative makes education more meaningful, hands-on, and aligned with the real world. As Kaushal Bodh expands, it has the potential to redefine how students engage with learning — where classrooms become innovation labs and traditional subjects meet practical application.
FAQs About Kaushal Bodh in Delhi Government Schools
Q1. When will the Kaushal Bodh program start?
It will launch in the 2025–26 academic session for Class 6 students.
Q2. Which classes will be covered?
Initially Class 6, with Class 7 and 8 added in subsequent years.
Q3. Is this program mandatory for all students?
Yes, it will be part of the regular school curriculum in Delhi government schools.
Q4. What kind of skills will students learn?
Organic farming, carpentry, embroidery, millet cooking, pottery, basic electrical work, among others.
Q5. Will students be graded?
There will be no traditional grading. Students will be evaluated on participation, effort, collaboration, and learning outcomes.
Q6. How will teachers be prepared?
Teachers will undergo orientation and training programs to support safe and effective implementation.
Q7. Is this aligned with national policies?
Yes. It aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and supports its goals of experiential, skill-based learning.