Goa: Class 10 plus ITI to be considered equivalent to Class 12

Students who complete Class 10 and a two-year Industrial Training Institute (ITI) course will be considered on a par with those who clear the Class 12 board examination, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Wednesday. Sawant announced major reforms in ITI education, including the introduction of Goa Board equivalency certificates and stronger integration between vocational and higher education, saying it would improve students' prospects for higher studies and employment.

Speaking a state-level function to mark World Youth Skills Day in Panaji, he said students who complete Class 10 along with a two-year ITI course will now be considered equivalent to those who pass Class 12 by issuing a Goa Board equivalency certificate. The state government has also facilitated tie-ups between ITIs and colleges to enable students pursuing vocational education to continue their higher studies, he said.

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"The reforms are aimed at ensuring that ITI students receive the same academic recognition as those in the conventional education stream while enhancing their employability," the chief minister said. Sawant said skill development has become a key pillar in India's journey towards becoming a global hub for talent and innovation, and the initiatives such as the Skill India Mission, the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and the National Education Policy 2020 are equipping young people with industry-relevant skills and preparing them for emerging employment opportunities.

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Calling for greater investment in youth, the Chief Minister said empowering young people through education, skills and innovation is essential for achieving the vision of a "Viksit Bharat". Sawant also congratulated Goa's teachers and students for their achievements at the national level, including award-winning teachers and students who excelled in national examinations. The Chief Minister also praised Goan athletes who won gold medals at the World Yogasana Championship. On the issue of contract teachers, Sawant assured that the teachers who have completed 10 years in service would get a priority in confirmation.