Vocational subject to be included in SSC Board exams from next academic year in Andhra Pradesh

Samagra Shiksha State Project Director (SPD) B. Srinivasa Rao has announced that from the next academic year, marks obtained in the vocational subject will be included in the SSC (10th Class) marks memo and it will play a crucial role in student grading.

Speaking at State-Level Skill Competition 2025–26, held in Vijayawada on Monday (December 29), Mr. Rao said that inspired by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the government had decided to transform vocational education from an optional add-on into a strong foundation for students future careers and informed that budget proposals were being prepared to introduce vocational education in all Government High Schools across the State. The selection of vocational trainers will be conducted strictly through Computer Based Tests (CBT) and on a merit basis, he said.

Mr. Rao emphasised the need to move away from rote learning and said activity-based learning, similar to the practices followed in countries like Finland, was being actively promoted in the State. “The core objective of the programme is to equip students at the high school level itself with practical life skills such as fixing a leaking tap or repairing a bicycle puncture, so they can confidently address everyday challenges, not merely score marks,” he said.

After going around the event that showcased 260 projects across 10 trades, presented by students from 26 districts at the skill competition, the SPD said the State School Education Department, through Samagra Shiksha and the Vocational Education (Skill Education) wing, had initiated significant reforms with the objective of fostering a culture of hands-on learning, beyond mere textbook knowledge, among students.

Officials who spoke on the occasion clarified that vocational education was not meant to limit students to being manual workers, but to nurture them as future automobile engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs. They underlined the vast opportunities available in sectors such as agriculture, horticulture and food processing, and urged teachers and headmasters to create greater awareness about vocational pathways among students.

Winners of the competition were rewarded with cash prizes of ₹25,000 as first prize, ₹15,000 as second prize and ₹10,000 as third prize, along with medals and certificates

Additional State Project Directors, Samagra Shiksha, M.R. Prasanna Kumar and K. Ravindranath Reddy, State Institute of Educational Management and Training (SIEMAT) Director V.N. Mastanaiah, Director of Government Examinations K.V. Srinivasulu Reddy, State Finance Controller Rajagopal and others attended the programme.